Help this 96 Volvo 850 5 spd Base wagon, thanks in advance

nici_zz · Post by **nici_zz** » 09 Feb 2006, 08:33

Hi, all,
This is my first post on this great forum.
I am seriously consider buy a 96 Volvo 850 base model wagon from a local privite owner. Here is basic information I got from my test drive on it:
Basicly, this is a 96 Volvo 5 spd base Wagon with 74000miles on it.
Current owner is the second owner and have it for one year. He bought it from local Volvo dealership. Therefore, there is no records on maintanence from the first owner. I was told that the dealer will not provide this kind of information when they sell used car. Is this true?
During his ownership, he already replaced the time belt at 70,000 miles and replace the A/C evaporator. Oil has been changed regularly. He has all the records for maintanence during his ownership. The tires are almost new with 10000miles on them. Two obvious problems: the driver side heating seat doesn't work and the clock on the in-dash computer doesn't work. The acceleration of this car is just ok, especially for 1st and 2nd gear. The gas pedal is heavier than my current Honda. I noticed that it reach to 2500 rpm when it is in 2nd gear with speed 25-28 mile/hr. The engine is quiet for both idle and running status. The inside and outside are in very good conditions.
His car hit a deer last winter and body work was covered by his comprehensive car insurance. But there is a small dent on radiator.
Now he asked for $4600 after my test drive and negotiation, $500 lower than his original price. My concerns are:
(1). Is the malfunction of clock on in-dash computer a big issue? Does it means that the computer of the car is malfunction? I noticed that the temperature display in the computer was correct. But I didn't not pay more attention to the trip indicator in the computer when I test drive it.
(2). Is this kind of accelaration and rpm I mentioned above normal for a non-turbo Volvo? I did read some post in this forum about the sluggish of Volvo 850. Someone said that it is the style of Volvo, they don't want you to drive "agressively". Is this true?
(3). This car are majorly for local use. It was orignally sold in local and the first owner only put 64,000 mile during 8 year ownership. Is this kind of local driving history bad for the Volvo?
(4). The brakes hasn't been replaced during the second owner ship. The pad is still thick. Approximately how much for replacing the pads and rotor?
(5). The sevice light is on when starting the car and off after 2 mins. I was told that it need to be reset by the dealership. Is it a big issue?
(6). As the model of this car, what peticular issues I need to have them check by professional before buying it?
Sorry for this long post, thanks in advance for any inputs from you!

Post by **matthew1** » 09 Feb 2006, 11:22

Heated seat: search this forum for likely cause/likely fix (hint: wire).
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/search.php

Clock: mmmm don't know.

850: Nonturbos are too slow; turbos are too fast

.

Like any car, highway miles are preferred to city. Volvo 850 is no different.

For best results, replace pads and rotors at the same time, use OEM pads, make sure to torque the lug nuts evenly, and to spec (I forget the number of lbs-feet). I get around 30k miles per set.

You can reset service light with an OBDII tool. Search this forum for more on that.

Timing belt and AC evap done, good, that's two of the biggest things. Just drive it a bunch and listen to the sounds it makes. I find sound to be as big an indicator of trouble as visual clues. Check fluids etc. The normal stuff.

voltech1 · Post by **voltech1** » 12 Feb 2006, 04:23

You could take it to the dealership and get a half hour 50$ inspection. They will normally pick the car apart if they are hungry techs. Rear main seal is the only other common EXPENSE item check under the car to see if it is dry. As for disclosure of maintenance records, the dealership might have got it from auction/out of state car. Take car for another test drive to the dealer, have service check thier records and look inside the owners manual for maintenance records. Front pads and rotors are around $400

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 12 Feb 2006, 06:36

OBD-II tool (typically) WILL NOT reset 850's from '96-'97 and '98 S70's service light. Get the dealer to reset with a special tool they have. If you want a tool to do this, read the section in this forum as to how to....can buy a Draper reset tool from ebay for about $60.00. Otherwise ignore it, or put a piece of black tape over it...it's just a reminder to do your scheduled oil change. Other than that, I think others have said most of what needs to be said. Torque specs on the lug nuts is 80Ft. Lbs. Hope this helps.

Post by **matthew1** » 12 Feb 2006, 11:15

MadeInJapan wrote:OBD-II tool (typically) WILL NOT reset 850's from '96-'97 and '98 S70's service light. Get the dealer to reset with a special tool they have. If you want a tool to do this, read the section in this forum as to how to....can buy a Draper reset tool from ebay for about $60.00. Otherwise ignore it, or put a piece of black tape over it...it's just a reminder to do your scheduled oil change. Other than that, I think others have said most of what needs to be said. Torque specs on the lug nuts is 80Ft. Lbs. Hope this helps.

Good followup MIJ. The service light reset is something I didn't stress correctly in my post above: some tools reset this, some don't. Check before you buy one.