Interested in buying an 850 wagon.. Buy turbo or non turbo?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 27 Sep 2007, 17:46

Very clean oil could be a sign that the oil was just changed. A lot of people do this or have it done just so someone inspecting the car will think the engine is good. I don't doubt that the seller is genuinely honest. The person who did the oil change could have thought the car took 4 quarts (instead of 6) like so many seem to think our cars hold.

Post by **Volvo_240_Atari_2600** » 27 Sep 2007, 21:06

Not sure I want this car now.

how do I post a copy of this car's CARFAX?

strange history

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 28 Sep 2007, 04:28

You could just give us the specifics....posting the whole Carfax would be difficult here.

Post by **vince** » 28 Sep 2007, 10:11

A recent bad experience has taught me that, if you have a bad feeling about a used car seller, your guts are probably right... When I was on the market, I met with a couple of arrogant salespeople who said "why do you want to take it for an inspection? I swear it's in perfect condition, nothing needs to be replaced? and I get soooo many calls, the next person will buy it without an inspection!..." To which I replied, see-you-later-bye.

Except to this Volvo-selling dude who "looked genuinely honest", but was selling the car "at this low price" because the "maintenance records were all in his Yuma, Arizona ranch" and I bought it in San Diego...

In retrospect, I paid 2500$ for that 1995 850 Turbo Wagon with 159k, two broken sideview mirrors ("only 5$ a piece, said the ?&@*$&?!&*@"), two broken engine mounts, busted tailgate struts, a cracked windshield and a useless front O2 sensor. Back then, I thought that since the KBB was 3900-4200 for "fair" and Edmunds.com also said around 3250$, that I was still on the fair side of the deal... javascript:emoticon(':roll:')

Well, she's been taking me to the mechanics shop quite a few times. But now, 6 months and 2000$ later, most of my woes are resolved. And I love driving my Volvo. Still, all in all, I did get her for somewhat cheap, and I know she'll live for another 150k miles easy. The only problem is that I learned that I'll be appointed out of the country in January 2008, so I'll need to sell her pretty soon. Hopefully, its better mechanical condition will warrant an asking price of 3250$...

volvoaddict007 · Post by **volvoaddict007** » 28 Sep 2007, 18:38

Volvo_240_Atari_2600 wrote:Sorry Volvoaddict...

That was my error on the description vs. the link... That link is to a car that was still available when I called a short while ago but have yet to see.

This 112KGLT looks like a good deal, maybe too good. It seems awfully low priced considering KBB. Better do some research before driving 70 miles.

I'm a speed freak though so wouldn't settle for anything but a T-5. Don't recall driving a GLT.

va007