MIJ's new $300 S70

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 19 Apr 2017, 20:12

So a guy posted a sale of a '99 S70 (base) on our local FB. It was only 1.5 miles from my house so I went to see it.
He said he thought the timing belt had broken. I would not start.
I got there and quickly diagnosed the problem. 186K miles on her- 20K miles away from the next TB change- the belt is not broken but the Serpentine belt was missing so dead battery. I paid the guy $300...got the title in hand then went and bought a Serp. belt and came back and within half an hour, had her cranked up and drove her home. Nothing is wrong with her mechanically. There's some cosmetic stuff- the roof (no sun roof) is rusting...the latch wire for the hood is broken (used pliers from under the car) and the antenna mast won't come down. I don't see anything else wrong with her. She has power, even for an N/A. and no missing- no CEL!! Tires have decent tread. They just wanted it gone!! It has an Alpine 6 disc CD changer in the trunk!

I have enough Volvo's but couldn't pass this one up! It was a steal. I'll be dealing with the rust (and painting the roof with a spray can) and hood latch cable as well as the antenna mast. I might find a few other things- I DK. Appears to be a fairly solid car- no shimmy in the steering...absolutely no oil or transmission fluid leaks! I'll fix her up- would be a great car for someone local- maybe one of my friend's teenager's first car!!
-MIJ

Post by **abscate** » 19 Apr 2017, 22:35

Front runner for the Buy if the Year!

Well done!

Post by **850 LPT** » 20 Apr 2017, 05:56

Unreal! What a great find.

Post by **misha** » 20 Apr 2017, 07:00

Ouchhh!!!
I wish i could see the seller's face when you put a new serpentine belt,started it and drove it off it's driveway.It must be like this

.

300$ for a car like this isn't a price.It's a g i f t !

Make him an offer....sell it back to him for 500-600$.

Post by **matthew1** » 20 Apr 2017, 08:49

Great find and buy!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 20 Apr 2017, 14:57

Actually his mother's car...I asked if that was all they wanted for it, since I was able to start it. They told me that of course they would love more, but they advertised it at $300 so didn't feel right asking for more. Anyway, it has apparently been a nuisance for months sitting there with 5 or 6 other cars being parked around it in their driveway so for them this car was an eye sore and they just wanted rid of it. Anyway, I'm glad to get it. Robert (DIY) is sourcing a hood cable for it while we speak. I'll get an antenna mast (FCP or Rock Auto or really just about anywhere cheap)...I plan on using a rust converter on the roof...it won't be pretty but it won't look horrible either once I prime and spray it.

Post by **Clemens** » 20 Apr 2017, 16:06

Great find!

Post by **JimBee** » 21 Apr 2017, 05:38

Yeah, a good runner for that price was definitely a great find.

Can you detail exactly how you tripped the hood latch from under the car?

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 21 Apr 2017, 13:38

Did you wear a mask when you went to get the car? Because you robbed the seller.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Apr 2017, 11:36

JimBee...there was the shredded part of the wire hanging down... there was absolutely nothing in the cabin to pull...I found most of the wire with sheath in the trunk. So, in front of the driver's front wheel was a frayed wire...I took a chance, grabbing it with some pliers and pulled and sure enough that was the wire for the hood...it took quite a bit of force to get the hood to disengage. bugs11...no mask although my wife keeps telling me to take off my mask, that Halloween has long passed! LOL. I have not done anything more to the car...it sits for now waiting on a new cable for the hood, an antenna and wiper blades for the headlights- the obvious stuff...then I'll try to deal with the roof rust and paint. I'm a bit miffed that in TN, I would have to register it with new tags- they don't allow 30 day tags unless you're a dealer. I do need to go and transfer ownership with the title in hand. I don't suspect I'll have it that long...just want to fix up the obvious stuff and let it go to someone to drive because if I own it all it would do is sit as we have plenty of Volvo's to drive! Front seats have a few places, though not bad...on the passenger seat back rest there's a square what looks like scortched mark from the seat heater.