I don't know which one to buy 95 850, 96 850 and 00 S40

Moonboot2000 · Post by **Moonboot2000** » 29 Jan 2008, 09:44

My 1998 S70 recently died due to a car accident. I have been laid off work for a year and have very limited funds and need another car. I live in Ann Arbor, MI and I am trying to choose between 4 different available cars.

1 - 1995 850 with 113K miles on it for $2800. It appears to be in great shape and the owner claims to have kept up on maintenance however the price tag scares me. This is about how much I am looking to spend but I fear it may be too good to be true.

2 - 1996 850 with 150K miles on it for $3850. This car also appears to be in great condition. This is more than I want to spend but would do it if its the best option.

3 - 1997 S90 with 245K miles on it for $2950. This car is also in great shape and claims to have no current mechanical errors.

4 - 2000 S40 with 200+K miles on it for $4000. This is the absolute maximum I want to spend and would only do it if this is the best value. No mechanical or body problems.

All cars sold by private sellers.

Since I do not have any income it is important for me to buy a car that I'm not going to have to sink money in to months after I buy it. I know we cannot predict what may happen to a vehicle but if anybody as experiences with these cars or knows of any mechanical failures that happens to these cars with the mileage on them any info would be greatly helpful.

Also helpful would be first and second choice in case first choice is sold by the time I try to purchase.

Thanks!

smatt1079 · Post by **smatt1079** » 29 Jan 2008, 09:59

I'll go on record and say that I loved - LOVED LOVED LOVED, my 95 850 GLT. I NEVER had to put a dime into it other than routine maintenance. The only thing is its a little sluggish, the turbo's are "way more better faster". (its an industry term)

Post by **JRL** » 29 Jan 2008, 10:20

If you have no money for maintenance I would not buy ANY high mileage Volvo.
Find a good Japanese car that will service you well until you get back on your feet with a job.
you KNOW that you will have to spend money on any older Volvo you buy.
PASS on the rear drive car, that's worth all of a grand, TOPS with a quarter of a million miles!

phoenix_iii · Post by **phoenix_iii** » 29 Jan 2008, 11:29

Lower mileage = less wear overall... and the price is right... ...

Really test drive it, inspect it, and if it feels good, buy it. Leaves money left over for anything else...

Best advice is a ~$1200 Honda. =(

I say the 95 in that list. I love my 95 850t.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Jan 2008, 14:23

I have to agree with the other 2 posters...buy a Nipponese car until you're back on your feet and then consider a Volvo. You'll have peace of mind knowing that you'll be getting rid of it and no temptations to put money into it when you don't have any.

Moonboot2000 · Post by **Moonboot2000** » 29 Jan 2008, 18:56

Thanks so far. The 97 S90 is out - mileage obviously too high.

Test drove the 95 850 and had rough idle and sluggish and shaky acceleration for the first 5 - 10 mph. The rear spoiler has also been removed improperly and had adhesive and connectors exposed. The price is now $3500 but I think i'm going to pass. The rough idle worries me. Furthermore the ABS light was on and the owner could not explain why and the timing belt had not yet been changed.

I am going to look at the 96 850 and another 95 850 but I am strongly considering advise of posters (against my will) to buy a Honda. I used to have an Accord and owned it to 300K. After I bought my Volvo I fell in love and now I'm addicted.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Jan 2008, 18:59

I truly understand the addiction as I am addicted too. However, no matter what you buy Volvo-wise in your price range, you WILL have repairs to do on it and maintenance costs to catch up on (as JRL so well put it) that you'll end up spending at least a grand and maybe more on it after your purchase. Why not get something to tide you over until you can really afford the one you want. This way you've got time to look as well as incentive to get a good job and begin saving.

Moonboot2000 · Post by **Moonboot2000** » 29 Jan 2008, 19:41

I've started searching for an Accord since this seems to be the most logical choice...especially due to the problem of not having income.

Simply for kicks, I am going to check out the 2000 S40 for $4000. It has 150K on it (not 200K as I stated earlier). I cannot find a reviews of this car on this website so I looked at others. Of course its about 50/50 good/bad. Just wondering if anybody has any opinions on the S40.

I'm not crazy about the design of this car but the smaller size will come in handy if I have to move to a major city for a job.

I likely will not buy this vehicle (as already stated I'll probably look for another Accord) but if I can somehow substantially drop the price and get good feedback I would give it a little consideration. Dropping prices isn't hard here in Michigan because the economy is terrible. Nobody is buying anything.

Thanks again.

Post by **JRL** » 29 Jan 2008, 19:41

I just sold a 99 Maxima SE with 98K miles for $5400.
I PAID $4100 and it was a near perfect car with another 150K to go on it.
(Maximas have no timing belt , they have a chain, no replacement!)
You should find a 96-97 Maxima with 120K or so miles, Easily found privately in the 3 grand range

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Jan 2008, 19:56

+1 on the Maxima. My neighbor knows his cars...and is a salesman at the Mazda dealer. He has sold Mercedes, Volvo's, Porche's, Toyota's, Honda's and of course Mazda's. He drives a late 90's Maxima. He says it's very reliable, cheap to operate and has one of the best engines made.