Ideas for Replacing my 1994 940 Wagon ?

[abscate]

With a Citroen in the driveway you know the owner knows how to work on funky cars!!!

Formidable!!

[erikv11]

I'm going to guess it is not a turbo but maybe that is fine with you ... update us!

[j-dawg]

it doesn't sound like speed is an important factor in your decision, is that correct?

in that case, i'd avoid the turbos to be honest. they add a good deal of complication under the hood (the turbo itself, plus intercooler, turbo piping and hoses, vacuum lines, coolant hoses, oil cooler lines, TCV, recirc valve.......lots of equipment to take care of). they also pack heat into the engine bay when you get excited with your right foot.

i can't comment on the automatics, but with a manual (assuming the drivers are all willing and able to manage three pedals) the non-turbo 850s are plenty capable of keeping up with traffic, and they are simple/durable/easy to work on/etc. it's not always easy to find a 5spd 850 but i like them quite a lot.

[Chai]

The only info I have is what's in the Craigslist ad, so I guess I'll have to ask the owner a bunch of questions.

I was a little discouraged after reading the CarGuru review here (http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/1998-Volvo ... view-c6025).

My son just got a job where he'll be commuting about two hours a day on Highway 1 along the California coast. It's a two lane road with lots of turns, steep drop-offs, fog, slow moving tourists & impatient commuters who like to pass. I really want a safe car for him. He, of course, has different priorities -- such as gas mileage.

I wonder how much money I'd be looking at for the thermostat and the timing belt...?

[erikv11]

For highway 1 and overall that description of intended usage, a 98 non-turbo S70 is a great fit. And I totally agree that the turbo adds more hassle to the maintenance equation.

Timing belt job done right will probably run you like $600 at a good shop, or $120 in your garage. You wouldn't need to replace the water pump on that low mileage S70. $75 for the thermostat at a shop, $18 in your garage. $30 if you flush it out and put in fresh coolant, not sure if that would be needed though.

[Chai]

Thanks for the estimates for the work.

I'm somewhat constrained by the availability of Volvos. If this car turns out to be a Turbo, shouldn't I buy it anyway?

My 940 was a Turbo and I never had any problems with it 150k miles (I'm the original owner). The S70 I'm looking at has half the miles (hmm.... 75k seems a bit too low).

Transmissions make me nervous. Any thoughts there?

[Chai]

I just noticed this one:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4509074600.html

"1998 Volvo S70 in very good condition. Needs nothing. 148,000 miles. Everything works, heating, AC, all power, CD, timing belt was changed at 90K miles, I've done plenty within the past 6 months. 2 new front tires, new battery, new radiator, new breaks - front and rear, changed front rotors as well.
Price is firm. Car has no problems. Drives and looks great."

Twice the miles, but lots of recent work.

[Chai]

Well, I checked out the 1998 S70 (the red one with the ninja warrior).

It actually has 122+K miles. (The owners thought a Swedish car would have an odometer that would register kilometers, so they assumed the car had only 75K miles on it).

The current owners have had the car only a few months and don't know anything about it (apparently it was used for a family car until they got a bigger car). The timing belt has not yet been replaced.

When I took it on the highway, the car seemed to get noisy in the low 30's and more noisy in the low 60's.

It's a salvage.
It's a turbo.
It's AWD.

Not that it's a big deal, but the paint has bubbled a lot on the hood and the roof.

I feel I should pass. What do you think?

[matthew1]

Salvage -- be careful. There are many reasons for a salvage title, and one of them is flooding. When a car has been in a flood it's never the same after. I'd pass. There are plenty more fish in the sea, as the saying goes.

[erikv11]

...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4509074600.html

"1998 Volvo S70 in very good condition. Needs nothing. 148,000 miles. Everything works, heating, AC, all power, CD, timing belt was changed at 90K miles, I've done plenty within the past 6 months. 2 new front tires, new battery, new radiator, new breaks - front and rear, changed front rotors as well.
Price is firm. Car has no problems. Drives and looks great."

Twice the miles, but lots of recent work.

This one is looking a whole lot better right now. Much more informative ad; it is almost certainly a non-turbo, FWIW.