1994 850 Should I buy it

[perks1]

Thank you all so much for your advice for a complete Volvo newbie. I was told that the car has been garage kept in their beach house for the past 7 or 8 years. They start it and drive it around while they are there. It gets driven at least once a month when they are there and I think more in the summer. It was formerly driven by the grandmother at her home. I am trying to make arrangements to go see it, but this is a pretty hectic week for me and they are also very eager to sell it and go home -- so the timing may not work out. I spoke with the grandson and he was not sure whether the timing belt had ever been changed but said he'd check the records and get back to me -- but I haven't heard anything yet. He did say that the engine mounts had been replaced a few years ago and that the ac had recently stopped working -- he ran the code and said it was a sensor. So, I think I would likely be looking at fixing the ac and the timing belt at least. My father, who owns a much newer Volvo may be able to go look before I can get there and drive the car but his mechanic is not available to go with him and then he would probably have to make an offer on the spot and I am a little hesitant about buying it sight unseen through him without it being checked by a mechanic. I will update more tomorrow, but any further thoughts are welcome. I had also been thinking about an 1998 s70 or a v70 with mileage of around 125,000 before I saw this car -- it really looks almost new in the photos -- or even a newer Volvo s60 or s80? Would those be more likely to hold up better? Your thoughts are definitely welcome.

[Matty Moo]

My opinion..... It isn't going to be any fun to drive being an automatic trans with no turbo.

Stay away from the early s80's.. They're plentiful and cheap for a reason.

[erikv11]

The AC problem is much more likely to be a failed evaporator core than a "sensor" problem, the cores all fail, and that is an extremely expensive job at a shop (like $1,000).

It sounds well cared for and super low mileage but it's a 94, they are quirky, I would let it go. A 98 S70 or V70 with 125k that is well cared for, could be a much better car.

[perks1]

Thanks Matty Moo and Ericv11 for your thoughts. Keep 'em coming. What do you mean by quirky? More work and tempermental?

[rspi]

Sounds like a nice car, the fact that is has been driven monthly take some of the risk out if the equasion. However, low miles is not a reason to pay such a high price on such a old car. If everything was / is working and all maintenance up to date, that would be another view point. Timing belt, CV axles, transmission service, are just a few things that age will deteriorate.

If the timing belt has not been replaced, and it breaks on the way home, it will destroy the motor head and make you maiden repair voyage an real challenging one.

As other have said, you can find a newer car that has likely been maintained and serviced for less money. I habmve seen these cars in great shape with over 400,000 miles on them so one with 200,000 can be a nice buy for $2,500. A $2,500 won't be as nice as a $35,000 new car but there is a good chance it will last you a couple of years of great service.

And as strange as it sounds, a wagon would be very useful in going back and forth to school, helping others move things, etc.

[erikv11]

Thanks Matty Moo and Erikv11 for your thoughts. Keep 'em coming. What do you mean by quirky? More work and tempermental?

The 94 models have a different intake manifold, and all (?) have EGR which is a big pain at 20 years of age. By 95 Volvo had hit their stride with the 850, those only suffer from having EGR; the 96's and 97's are the best IMHO. The 98 is even better, exactly the same mechanicals as the 850 but on an updated body (S/V/C70 bodies). And they are a few years newer, althogh they have some body problems (creaky dash etc) of their own. In 99 a bunch of mechanical stuff changes and repair is something of a new ball of wax.

[rspi]

[rspi]

Add heater core check to that short list.

[dosbricks]

Like Robert says, mileage is not a the big deal on these cars as far as dependability--it is whether they have been fully maintained. And that includes a slew of stuff when they hit the 70-100k interval and even more at 200k.

And, as erikv points out, out of pure luck and ignorance, my wife and I purchased the years which fell within the sweet spot for Volvo--arguably the best they ever made. But they still have their quirks.

[Jazzop]

I have never understood the obsession that the uninformed public has with mileage and calendar age of a car. The real indicators of a particular car's quality are the maintenance records and the findings from a clever inspection. The car's chassis number within its model's run will also place some restrictions on its potential awesomeness due to production quality issues and mid-run changes. And for folks like me who keep cars for >20 years, matching numbers and factory options go a long way in determining what I'm willing to pay. But mileage? I couldn't care less.