I think I’m gonna buy this… unless you guys strongly disapprove

Keshavsmith · Post by **Keshavsmith** » 06 Apr 2023, 16:18

Like the title says, I think I’m going to buy this car. I had a 98’ s70 that just got totaled and am really bummed about it so to find something similar pleases me. I attach a pic of the car(all pics look good, interior is great with just a typical Volvo leather seat rip)and copies of the receipt for work they just had done to it last year. It has a new engine, which alone was 1500. I can’t imagine why they’re selling it after having just put all that money into it, but

Please tell me what you guys think.
Aside from this I have my eye on a 06 xc70, but I have a feeling that guy isn’t as trustworthy as the person with the 850..

Post by **jreed** » 06 Apr 2023, 16:42

Looks great. Check for rust, leaky seals/hoses, accident damage and a transmission that works well. I've got a 97 GLT wagon and it's a joy to drive with the LPT.

Post by **Chuck W** » 06 Apr 2023, 16:50

Hey Kesha-

That '97 GLT looks to be a solid choice, and is going to be very close to your '98 S70. It's a slightly different turbo/engine set-up, but the combo in the GLT has a bit more low-end grunt. My wife's car is a '97 GLT wagon.

That '06 is going to be more complicated to deal with, IMO.

Post by **scot850** » 06 Apr 2023, 16:59

From all I can see from the pictures it looks like a nice car and like said above I thing the 97 GLT is the sweet spot for the model! Hopefully the rest is as good as the pictures and you clearly have your head on and being realistic in terms of buying a 25 year old car. My normal view is everyone lies or gets amnesia when they come to sell their cars on known faults!

We have an 06 XC70 and owned it from 2011. It is fully serviced including the stuff the 1st owner buy passed on! Bought from a Volvo dealer and we only found the missing repair work later but they came good on that. It has otherwise been a good car to us and our son now owns it.

Good Luck!

Neil.

Post by **Sveedy** » 06 Apr 2023, 17:50

Agreed. That seems like a good deal.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 06 Apr 2023, 18:22

I am cynical. A common reason for selling after making many repairs is a problem has still not been fixed and the seller has given up on finding the problem and repairing the car.
volvolugnut

Post by **Chuck W** » 06 Apr 2023, 18:44

I found the FB Marketplace ad. (HERE)

It looks fine enough, and you might be able to talk them down a little on price. Not overly beaten up, but it looks like they probably just don't drive it enough.

The tripometer is at "0", which possibly means the odometer doesn't work, but a moot point in that the engine has been replaced (but we could pull the mileage from the cluster with the 850 OBD-II app)

No under-hood pics (I HATE that when sellers don't at least give 1), and I do notice an indication of it running a little rich (with the very sooty bumper). Could be any number of reasons for that.

There is a "chance" it has an HPT motor in it, instead of the LPT one, depending on how thorough they were in sourcing the replacement. The only direct drop ins would be from an 97-98 GLT (Or 98 XC70)(B5244T). Your 98 had the HPT engine(B5234T).
If it has the "wrong" engine in it, it's not catastrophic, just not ideal. Might also explain the sooty bumper.

If it was in town, I'd take a look at it for you.

Post by **June** » 06 Apr 2023, 19:25

I'd be leary... an old car with a 30-day warranty used engine dumped into it. There may be a reason the owner is giving up on it. If the original engine was say driven for a period of time running hot before it finally died. Then the transmission was too. It's something to consider. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the car isn't right and that's why it's for sale. It is cheap, and if you can drive the car for six months 10K miles without trying to rebuild it, then it will have paid for itself. At that point you will know if it's worth plugging money into. I did the 6M/10K with the 740 I bought last year. I only did need work to safely drive the car which was minimal. That verified to me that my purchase is solid. June

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 06 Apr 2023, 20:33

I think it looks good. I would stay away from 06xc70 unless your budget has 4-5k laying around for necessary repair/maintenance. 850 is way simpler car and cheaper to maintain in comparison to xc70. Doubt the owner will drop the price lower. 2k seems like a good price for it, especially with everything done recently. If you want a piece of mind take this car to volvo dealer and request a state inspection. Or any other reputable local shop which was helping you with your previous volvo.

Keshavsmith · Post by **Keshavsmith** » 07 Apr 2023, 00:24

Thanks, everybody! Thank you, Chuck. Maybe if I do get it you can come by and check it out just so I know what’s going on with it or if there’s anything I should be aware of. I got hit In my s70 pulling onto Oriental from my alleyway. People turn onto off of 10th like maniacs. I had never been so sad over a car before. I drove a Subaru Outback for 10 years and that’s the only other car I’ve loved as much as that s70. Ha.
I also agree that even if I’m able to drive it for like 6 months to a year it would pay for itself. The lady tells me it’s in geese shape and ready to be a daily driver without any needed maintenance. I’m going to just have to decide to trust her if I’m gonna buy it.