850 base wagon 1997 expected miles

jsn_01107 · Post by **jsn_01107** » 29 Oct 2008, 06:47

Hi,
I'm new to the site also new to volve's I'm thinking of buying a 1997 850 base wagon which has 215k on it. It's primary use will be for back and forth to work and week end driving. My question is how many miles could I possibily expect from this model

Thanks

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Oct 2008, 07:04

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

The mileage is high at 215,000 miles but if the car has been properly maintained in the past and you continue the maintenance the cars routinely go 300,000 miles or more.

The car was due for a timing belt change at 210,000 miles and my guess is that the change has not been done. If the timing belt breaks it is game over.

I have a '94 with 210,000 miles on it and it runs as good as the day it left the factory.

You should be aware that these cars are very expensive to maintain. Unless you can do the routine maintenance and the minor to moderate repairs yourself I would consider another make.

...Lee

jsn_01107 · Post by **jsn_01107** » 29 Oct 2008, 10:19

Lee, thanks for the info. what would you think a fair price would be for this vehicle? Thank You.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Oct 2008, 19:00

what would you think a fair price would be for this vehicle?

That is largely a regional question as well as a condition question.

In the Northeast they are abundant and the supply outstrips the demand. At the same time where I am in the Midwest they are rare but I have made some very good deals since the demand is very low and they are off of the radar screen of most buyers.

I have purchased 3 sedans. I paid around $1300 for the '94 N/A with 150K on the clock and had to buy a one way plane ticket + cab fare to pick it up (The cab fare to get to the dealership was more expensive than the one way ticket to Indianapolis from KC - all said the transport costs were around $200). It was very well maintained but it had all of the Volvo problems such as the broken glove box, broken odometer gears, blown blower resister. It has been a great car after I fixed the bad things and it has had no further failures after stage zero maintenance and fixing some suspension issues.

I paid $636.48 with doc fees for my son's '96 with 134k on the clock but I had to rent a trailer and drag it home from Chicago since it was advertised as non running. I tightened the bolt on the battery cable and it has not quit since except for a starter problem.

I paid $1200 for a very special Platinum Edition '96 turbo with 130k on the broken clock that had a number of issues but they were more labor intensive (stuff I can do) than parts intensive. It was within 10 miles from my house so I just drove it home.

The wagons seem to bring a premium over the sedans.

All of the cars I bought had a straight body with minimal door dings, great paint, and no tears in the leather interior.

KBB.com tends to overvalue the cars.

Mark to Mark
Mark to Myth
Mark to Market

Patience pays off - I overpaid for the '94 but it is a great car for (in relative terms) not a lot of money. The '94 has a stick which is great fun to drive except in city traffic. The others have been "deals".

I don't know if that answered your question but it may give you a range to bargain in.

...Lee