Need help with purchasing decision....

akalita · Post by **akalita** » 23 May 2013, 12:12

So, the Volvo bug has bit me again.... I have purchased my wife's V70 about a year ago with great help from this website, and we're still very happy with that decision. I, on the other hand, went with my kids' nagging and gotten me a 2012 Fiat 500. While it's very fun to drive and very easy on the gas, it is starting to be a chore, with its short wheelbase and choppy ride, and manual transmission is getting tiresome as well, not to mention the payments....

Now to the meat of this post; i have found a 2000 Volvo S70 GLT SE, with 87K miles, a one-owner car that's listed at $5975 (that i'd like to replace my Fiat with, and get rid of payments). It is in excellent cosmetic condition, and the timing belt has been changed back in 2008/at 38K miles, so there's still few years left on it. Mechanically it's near perfect, with only two issue being couple door locks not working electronically (mechanical part is fine, but they don't work from main switch) and the absence of remote. All service has been done at Volvo dealer and there's receipt for every service done. My only concern is the age; is this price ok for this age of a car, even in the condition it's in? KBB says this car's retail is close to $8K while Edmunds.com says it's $4.6K. I have no clue why such a large discrepancy, but i entered same values in both sites and that's what they spat out.

I couldn't find similar topic that was recent, and have been out of market for a while, so not sure if this is good price or not. Apologies in advance, if this is a repeat of another topic that i missed, in which case i'd appreciate a link.

Post by **jpr0204** » 23 May 2013, 12:59

Hi akalita,

In my opinion, KBB is a JOKE. They give unrealistic values. Again, just my opinion. Edmunds is 50/50. I personally like to use the NADA Guide. The little yellow "pocket book". I found that tend to be most accurate for resale values. After being in all aspects of the automotive field I have found this book to be pretty realistic.

I assumed that this car has leather seats and a moonroof?

Listed below is the "clean retail" value from NADA...

Clean Retail = $3,950 + $1,087 for the low 87K miles + $225.00 for leather + $300 for moonroof for a total of $5,562 which is what a dealer would ask if they were selling it. Clean "trade-in" is $3,712 which is what a dealer should offer you for it if you were to trade it in. That's a difference of $1,850 from trading it in to reselling it. I would meet in the middle and offer him $4,800.

In my opinion, $5,975 is a tad on the high side. If you have the CASH, I would meet in the middle and offer him $4,800. I would also print out the values from the NADA website and show the owner.

We picked up our 2000 Volvo V70 X/C SE for $3,000 back in 12/2012 with 100K on it. But I've put about $1,700 in parts into it including 4 new tires for general maintenance that was due on it when I bought it. So all in all, Im in it for about 4,700. You'll in the S70 for the same price I paid and put into our V70 X/C but all of your maintenance will already be up to date.

The locks may be a problem with door lock actuator.

If the car is that clean, and all the services are up to date I would say it would be a rock solid buy for the money. What else can you buy for $4,800 that you know will make it to a minimum of 200K miles with just general upkeep?

Good luck and keep us informed with your decision. I know I'm waiting to hear.

- Joe

akalita · Post by **akalita** » 23 May 2013, 14:14

Thanks Joe,
I completely forgot about NADA guide.... That number does seem to be closest to real world values of this vehicle, so i'll use it as a base before i start bargaining

Let the fun begin! I'll keep everyone posted on what happens.

Post by **E Showell** » 23 May 2013, 14:17

Second the opinion that KBB tends to be unrealistically high on values -- at least for my part of the country.

Post by **abscate** » 23 May 2013, 15:15

That number does seem to be closest to real world values of this vehicle

Since the NADA is the only one that reports based on actual sales, it's the one to use.

Sound price advice above, IMHO

Post by **j-dawg** » 23 May 2013, 15:56

the best guide is craigslist! check out local cars, how long they've been listed, if the prices drop, etc.

there was an 850 sedan with a 5spd and <90k miles around here that was listed for a few months. the price kept dropping from ~2500 until it got to ~1800 and then i bought my wagon and stopped looking. it's probably gone by now. if it was a wagon i'd have happily paid the 2500, but the car's continual relisting suggests that 2500 was too much for a car very similar to the one you're looking at. (i never looked at this 850, so it's possible there was something else wrong with it. another with >200k miles in good condition, which i did test drive, sold for 1600.)

chicago is not a booming market for volvos; there are plenty around, but not a ton of demand, so prices are pretty low. and i don't know what effect the transmission has on the selling price. but the basic principle (check craigslist, cars.com, autotrader for similar cars) is the best way to find an appropriate price for the one you're looking at.

Post by **precopster** » 23 May 2013, 16:57

Hmm that would be a five speed non turbo. Not the best year made though with my own 2000 V70 non tubo it's an absolute pleasure to drive. I have 282,000kms and still on original trans. Engine was probably rebuilt before purchase as it has new gasket goo on the sump and uses zero oil (perhaps stem seals were replaced)

You may want to drill down on the service records to see if the B4 cover on the auto trans has ever been replaced. These were a weak point on the early 5 speeds. If you've had a chance to drive the car watch for flaring b/w 2nd & 3rd gear and possibly 3rd and 4th.

ETM worries are not so huge these days. There are afew repairers out there (including me) and cost is not as prohibitive if you use them.

A couple of things I really like about post '98 is the coil on plug and advanced diagnostic reading ability-you will require a scanner that can read all the modules but if you have a problem it's far easier to drill down on it.

All in all just be sure you drive it and are happy with that particular example.

Post by **jimmy57** » 23 May 2013, 17:19

2000 GLT is low pressure turbo with 4 speed auto in US.
I am not sure if ATL metro is a strong market for Volvos but Ft Worth/Dallas area would put that car below $4K. The door locks are a $600 + retail shop repair and remotes are $150 ball park programmed.
I'd have it looked at by an experienced tech to see if the a/c evap and heater core have been changed.
For a $6K budget you are close to 2002 XC70.
I had a 1998 XC70 that I bought 2 1/2 years back just in time to fix all 4 door lock actuators, heater core, etc. etc. I bought it needing an engine from an overheat. I would expect that this 2000 model is ready for what I listed except the engine. It would be a $4500 car with excellent body and interior with no other issues.

Post by **rspi** » 24 May 2013, 04:48

I also use www.NADAGuides.com for checking values. If you don't mind digging in deep, you can fix the door latch problems yourself, but as stated, it is a deep dig.

My thoughts would be 5k tops. I wonder why the usage jump in the past 5 years? It doubled.

Post by **JRL** » 24 May 2013, 05:39

You can buy guaranteed used locks for about 50-$70, plus about one hour labor
Any key OR remote will cost you upwards of $126 EACH.
I would ask that amount but 1: I'm a dealer and 2: everything would be working with at least 2 keys and 1 remote, needing nothing.

With what that needs you need to be in the "4s"

I would rather have this any day over a 2002 V70XC. More fun, more reliable if it was a well taken care of Volvo.
Just remember at these miles is when you will have niggling little issues crop up, pretty common for these cars.

Best guide is NOT Craig's List, most Volvos there are junk and people are just trying to unload their problem car