1997 850 R Time to sell, price help?

[Zimbo]

Time to sell my 850 R
198,651 miles






Body is in great shape other than the rust on back tail gate.

Mechanically I chase around a P0440 code (I have for the 5 years I've owned it.) I suspect it's a vacuum hose that has a crack in it that going over a bump or railroad tracks jars the crack.
ABS TRACS just started with the intermittent light. Not on all the time only occasionally, guessing it will be in need of Lee's DIY fix or a swapped out ABS module.
I've stayed on top of everything else.
Oil trap replacement (http://lakesidedp.com/uploadpics/pcv/index.html) that's me.
New radiator
Timing belt, tensioner, water pump
Control arms, inner and outer tie rods
Had a shop replace the heater core a few years ago, car doesn't heat up like it used to.

Nada says clean retail is 3675, I'm thinking about $2500, too high? too low?
Thanks for any advice.

-Rob

[Matty Moo]

The tailgate rust really takes away from the rest of the car. More so because you really don't see many of these with rust on them anywhere.

This is what I would do....given the time wasn't an issue.

1. Get a tailgate from the JY.
2. Fix the ABS issue.
3. Fix the 0440 issue.

Do all of those and it's possibly a $3k+ car even with the mileage on it. That interior looks great.

[rspi]

Add, ditch the tow hitch from the pics to the list. I don't think $2,500 is bad. I think you could get $3,500 if you cleaned up the items that Matty Moo suggested.

BTW, than you very much for your PCV system replacement tutorial. Great write-up.

[abscate]

If you don't want to chase the evap code take it down to Brumstead (Ithaca Foreign Car, see Mechanic thread) in Ithaca to fix.

I think they sell cars on consignment too, and you don't better selling a Volvo in the Peoples Republic of Ithaca.....

[Zimbo]

Many thanks for the comments and suggestions! Much appreciated.
Matty Moo, you'll be hearing from me soon.

rspi, glad you like the write-up and glad to contribute. That damn hitch was installed by the previous owner and had been nothing but an eyesore. You're right, it needs to come off.

abscate, thanks for the suggestion. I commute 2-3 times a week into Ithaca, yup the land of volvo! I had a foreign car company in Geneva try to track that down a few years ago. They ended up putting a new gas cap on when they couldn't find anything else. I'll be taking it off the road so that trip to Ithaca probably won't happen but it's good to know about the consignment option!

Thanks again,
-Rob

[phils94850]

I agree, IF you really wanna sell it I would do the minor fixes and go from there. Your gonna regret getting rid of it LOL. I did.. had to get another. Excellent write-up.

[rspi]

Hey Rob, can't you just pull the pin out of the drawbar and toss it in the back with the spare tire.

Whenever I see a car with a tow bar on it, I assume the car is worn out from the owner towing houses around all the time.

[Zimbo]

No, the rust has taken hold. Years ago I banged out the pin but nothing will budge that hitch.

[abscate]

Never leave a receiver in a hitch..especially in upstate NY!!!

[Geeser]

Regarding the receiver hitch...

I got min out by turning the ball upside down. Then banging the heck out of it with a 3 lb. sledge.

HAAA! Maybe I just contributed something to the forum!! WEEE!