1996 Volvo 850 GLT sedan with 140k -- should I buy?

ArmyDad · Post by **ArmyDad** » 22 Jan 2008, 08:40

Thank you all again for your time and expertise. You've given me a lot to think about. I'm not sure what I'm going to do right now; we have already told my wife's great-aunt that we would buy it for $4000. I'll update as we go. Thanks again for your help.

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Jan 2008, 09:56

Weighing in as "the cup is half full": you have the maint. records, and you know the driver. Those two take a couple large variable out of the equation.

ArmyDad · Post by **ArmyDad** » 22 Jan 2008, 10:30

Thanks. Those were indeed two major reasons why I was interested in this car to begin with. Another is her proximity to Swedish Engineering; I phoned a seller of a '94 940 wagon, asking $2650 with 119,000 miles, but he's up in Rochester (Michigan) which is an hour's drive from my house and probably two hours from Ann Arbor. I wasn't sure I could work out getting that car inspected by someone I could trust.

Coloring my view of Volvos are the glowing reports I hear from the few Volvo owners I know. Man and wife across the street have owned Volvo wagons ever since we moved here in 1990; I phoned him last night and he assured me they've never had any major trouble with theirs, and the oldest car now driven by their son has 180,000 miles on it.

I begin to wonder if the owners who claim "no major trouble" after two or three hundred thousand miles are forgetting the repairs they've made to systems other than the engine and drivetrain.

Post by **JRL** » 22 Jan 2008, 11:19

ArmyDad wrote:Thank you all again for your time and expertise. You've given me a lot to think about. I'm not sure what I'm going to do right now; we have already told my wife's great-aunt that we would buy it for $4000. I'll update as we go. Thanks again for your help.

Family aside, the bottom line is that you are (possibly) going to spend WAY too much for this car.
Just explain the facts to her.
If you told her you were buying it before you came here, why did you ask us AFTER the fact?
You were told right off that it was too much

ArmyDad · Post by **ArmyDad** » 22 Jan 2008, 17:49

Although I posted before offering to buy, I didn't see the responses until afterward.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Jan 2008, 17:57

People often feel their car is worth more than it's worth and are shocked when they find out otherwise. I'd say it's the same with your aunt. It's a Volvo anyway- must be worth a lot they think but they are ignorant of the facts of what it costs to get the car up to having no problems (which is what you want for your son and what she also ultimately wants for her nephew). As hard as this is, if you still feel committed to buying this from her, it might be helpful to educate her about the reality of their car. Print this thread off and show it to her....be realistic in terms of what's really wrong with the car and how much should really come off of her price, and then compromise (you don't want her to have hard feelings towards you and money squabbles between relatives just aren't worth it).
Good luck!

ArmyDad · Post by **ArmyDad** » 22 Jan 2008, 18:21

Thanks for the advice. I just phoned my son in Texas and told him the members on this board advised the car was too expensive with the repairs, and I asked him if he had any second thoughts. He said no, he wants the car, "and besides, it's from family."' He's met her only once, at his high school graduation party.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Jan 2008, 18:25

Well, then go for it, but I would try to talk the price down at least some with the information you've gathered here.

Post by **JRL** » 22 Jan 2008, 19:54

ArmyDad wrote:Thanks for the advice. I just phoned my son in Texas and told him the members on this board advised the car was too expensive with the repairs, and I asked him if he had any second thoughts. He said no, he wants the car, "and besides, it's from family."' He's met her only once, at his high school graduation party.

There are other and better 850s for sale and a killer 850 in TX (but more money)
If you're 100% committed you must talk her down in price as you really are loking at what we said it needs and will need.
As MIJ said, print out this thread and show it to her. We are relatively knowledgable here you know

Here's the one in TX a bit more but seemingly needs nothing and worth more anyway. A rare platinum turbo
http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=91903
(Scroll down and look at the pictures, he also has one in your price range, the link is in his ad)

ArmyDad · Post by **ArmyDad** » 22 Jan 2008, 21:40

Thanks for the additional response! I did check the photos on those two cars and I agree, those are two very nice cars! In fact, I don't think I've seen anything that nice for $4200 of any make. I'll see if my son can get Internet access so that he can see for himself.