Buying an 04 FWD with 97K+ miles..

[TexasCoder]

xallenx: What did the PPI guy do specifically? Some inspectors just drive it and look at common items (overall appearance, tears, paint chips, oil/fluid leaks). But, some will even go further, running leak down tests, compression tests on the engine, load testing the electrical system, suspension & steering and various other things. Did you happen to get an email or fax on what this guy reviewed?

[xallenx]

This was just the basic, test drive and check for leaks, overall cosmetic appearance of the car and stored codes type of inspection. I got the report e-mailed to me with pictures. Looks exactly like this: http://www.lemonsquad.com/downloads/sam ... report.pdf

[TexasCoder]

Can you post the report as a pdf to this forum so we can all look at it? We can then chew through and raise questions or give thumbs up.

[xallenx]

Here are the pixs:
http://www.lemonsquad.com/forms/edit_in ... on_id=2370
Attached is the pdf. Also, the pixs of the engine in the ebay link, is that the right power steering cap on the reservoir? The same cap was on the white one that I test drove and it was leaking.

[xallenx]

okay...another best offer declined. Offered 1K below and this is what they said:
"We will fix the bearing noise for you, however, we cannot sell the car at this price. Kelly Blue Book suggested Retail is $14,965. We are already thousands below. Also, our Volvos carry a warranty. The best thing to do is call us. 305-685-8845 Thanks"
Hmmm....need advice

[TexasCoder]

Also, the pixs of the engine in the ebay link, is that the right power steering cap on the reservoir? The same cap was on the white one that I test drove and it was leaking.

That is the same cap that is on my wife's 2004 XC90 2.5L. The trick is to change the rubber o-ring found under the cap, you will want to do the same thing for the oil cap. They tend to leak, and I replace mine about once a year (Texas is hot, and tends to be murder on gaskets under the hood)

okay...another best offer declined. Offered 1K below and this is what they said:
"We will fix the bearing noise for you, however, we cannot sell the car at this price. Kelly Blue Book suggested Retail is $14,965. We are already thousands below. Also, our Volvos carry a warranty. The best thing to do is call us. 305-685-8845 Thanks"
Hmmm....need advice

Walk away, it sounds like you are working with a dealer. "Also, our Volvos carry a warranty" private sellers are not going to give a warranty, or use the words "We will..." This dealer should know better. That vehicle should be close to show room condition. Everything should work, and there should be NO patched devices (ie: liquid metal holding the rear wiper assembly). Also, I am concerned with the electrical problems. First the sunroof does not work, and now the wipers are having issues "Problem with delay wipers, works fine on low and high speed, JB weld on rear wiper arm, probably broken but cant tell, it works fine, couldn't get rear washer to work" The delay wipers are also speed sensing, so the faster you go, and the harder the rain the faster the wipers move.

Time to find another deal man.

For example:

here is one I found local here to Dallas from a dealer: http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/2171333555.html

here is one from a private seller: http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/cto/2153999121.html

The private seller wants $20k, which is probably close to his/her loan pay off amount. But I imagine, if you offered 15k they would go for it, maybe not, but a private seller is more willing to work with you than a dealer.

My opinion, walk away from this current find, and keep looking. 12k in your bank account is better than 12k in this current deal.

Hope this helps