Looking at a 97 850 sedan, any issues I should look for?

[Spiney]

Hi, my wife and I have had a 98 V70 wagon since 2007. We've been generally happy with it except for the dash mounts cracking, creating lots of squeaks. We had that fixed. Our V70 has 106K miles, we bought it with 68K.

Now we just looked at a used 97 850 yesterday. It is in very good condition. 2 owner car with 87,980 miles. It has an AT. it drove very nice, lots of pep, felt solid. It would be a second car, replacing my 1990 Ford Ranger Pickup with 167,000 miles.

The small town dealer is asking $4250. Is that high? What should we try to negotiate to? Edmunds said value was $3250. KBB said $4450. The car has everything except keyless entry and leather interior. And it is a NA engine. My only complaint is I wish it was a 5 speed.

My wife is leery of buying another "old" car with 88K miles. I told her, it's a Volvo and should have lots of life left in it. What's your opinion on life expectancy of this model Volvo? I only put on about 4-5K a year. Mostly local driving.

Are there any issues particular to the 850 we should have our mechanic look for?

On our V70 to date we have repaired broken dash mounts, replaced the AC/Heater control (bought used on eBay for $50), replaced the secondary air pump, 1 1/2 shaft, and the ABS control box (bought from Internet at a very good price)

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1369468232.396223.jpg (95.5 KiB) Viewed 1863 times

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1369468256.376383.jpg (40.7 KiB) Viewed 1863 times

Thanks much, Dave

[abscate]

Use the NADA guide online to get the retail price and the trade in price applicable for your area. Ignore all of the other guides. Offering midway between trade and retail is a good start point, of course the dealer has to make some money to keep the lights on.

How long has the dealer been that location?

[kahl]

That 850 really looks clean. I would try to get that car to a mechanic for an inspection. I would check the usual suspects such as suspension, brakes and engine. If everything came back clean I would have no problem paying between 3700 to 4000. We have had several 850s in the family. With proper maintenance and care it would be hard to put a life end time on these cars.
We currently have 6 Vols in the family that we do our own maintenance and repair. The highest mileage car is a 94 850 with over 260 k on the clock. I really don't think you can go wrong with that 850 is she is a cream puff.

[rspi]

Lol, lots of things with an old car. Having a V70, nothing should surprise you.

[xHeart]

Volvo Maintenance Log is another valuable source to read at MVS.
Here is mine, relevant to your need at this time https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=46831

[ezliving4ume]

transmission

[erikv11]

No, the transmissions are rock solid in these cars, there is almost no way it will be bad in an 88k 850. Maybe if it was driven around in winter mode for a week or something bizarre like that. Even if the fluid was never once changed, just start now with a few drain and fill cycles.

Does the odometer still work? I'd ask to see a Carfax etc to make sure the mileage is correct.

[xHeart]

No, the transmissions are rock solid in these cars, there is almost no way it will be bad in an 88k 850. Maybe if it was driven around in winter mode for a week or something bizarre like that. Even if the fluid was never once changed, just start now with a few drain and fill cycles.

Does the odometer still work? I'd ask to see a Carfax etc to make sure the mileage is correct.

erik, are all 1997 850 came with Economy/Sport switch. Is that the reason engine label has "S" in it, mine is B5254FS?

The Sport is a lot fun, great pull when passing on freeway.

[jblackburn]

B5254S/FS are the same thing. S = naturally aspirated; B5254T = LPT; B5234T5 = T5, etc.

[Spiney]

Thanks guys. The NADA guide shows retail around $3550.00. This dealer is asking $4250. I think trade value was about $2800. The dealer has been in business at least 10 years. Small independent guy with a service business. Very clean facility, very open with information. Not pushy at all. He's open to us taking it to our mechanic to be checked out first. He's very confident in the car. I just ran a Autocheck and it came up very clean.

Are 850's generally less troublesome than V70's? When we bought our V70 it came with a big stack of regular maintenance records and had about 67,000 miles in 2007. I was surprised at some of the problems for a car that cost over $35k in 1998. Maybe I was spoiled by a Saab 99 that went over 220,000 before we sold it and a 92 Saturn SC that went 135,000 with just a clutch, brakes, and an alternator.

I'd like to buy it if I can convince my wife and get the dealer to drop the price a couple of hundred dollars. We both really liked the way it drove. It was very solid, much less rattles tan our V70 wagon. Tracked dead straight on, pulled hard when you jumped on it, braked well. It needs some detailing, my wife's concerned about the smell of a previous smoking owner. I do believe from reading the Autogeek detailing forum that, that smell can be extracted out.

My only wish, and it's not a deal breaker is that it was a 5 speed and or a turbo. But we have a 96 SVT Cobra to scratch that itch. And it's replacing my 90 Ford Ranger pickup with 166,000 miles. It runs well but has no creature comforts. Rides like a 23 year old light duty pickup.

I'll let you know what happens. I told him we'd get back to him on Tuesday. My marching orders from my wife is to add up how much the V70 has cost us in the last 7 years. We paid cash, about $8000 if I recall correctly and while there have been repairs, there is no monthly car payment.

One last question, if I hold out for one, what percentage of 850's were sold with a stick?

Also from my college days I have a dream to someday own a Bertone Coup Volvo. Not even sure what year or model they were, but I did like the look.

Thanks, Dave