What questions to ask when buying a 760 or 240?

Post by **matthew1** » 27 Dec 2011, 19:15

A friend's 16-year-old daughter has around $1500 to spend. She's looking at 1980s Volvo wagons. Examples: '89 760 Turbo wagon, '85 240 wagon. Both automatic trans.

I've told them I'll go look at the cars with them. My question is this: what questions to ask on the phone before driving around town to see the cars? So far I have

1. what # owner are you if you know?
2. besides what's listed, does it need anything to be drivable?
3. are the tire treads good or worn?
4. do you have maintenance records from when you owned it? From prior owners?
5. does it leak anything?

We're aware that A/C and luxuries may not work, or will require work to make them work. It's a first car. You get the picture.

Pianoman702 · Post by **Pianoman702** » 27 Dec 2011, 23:11

I'd ask what (if any) electrical problems would need to be addressed/have been looked at since there's almost GUARANTEED to be some kind of electrical gremlin lurking in Volvos.

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Dec 2011, 00:07

The overdrive solenoid is a common issue with the automatics and will run $200ish. They will show the up arrow our 850s do if the car is not using 4th gear.