Looking at a 97 850 sedan, any issues I should look for?

[abscate]

Smoking smell can be removed. I don't know the auto/stick figures but I know my Volvo guy salivates over my 1999 T5 stick...

Come to terms and do the deed. It's a great looking car and with this forum and previous Volvo experience you won't get a better ride for 4k +-

[erikv11]

850's are no less troublesome than V70's. The 98 V70 is an 850 with different cosmetics. Exact same engine, transmission, drive train, brakes; everything mechanical is the same. Unfortunately things break on these cars, they are way more work than Japanese car. Of course, way more fun, too.

Expect the ABS to go out on this car too (they all do). Struts and control arms will be a major expense at up around 110k. If you have no records of when the timing belt was done, then at 88k it must be done ASAP along with the rollers. The hydraulic tensioner can wait.

I don't know the numbers on the sticks but I would guess like 5%. I constantly comb the for sale ads and I probably see 20 automatics for every manual. They are pretty uncommon.

My 95 was a smoker's car before I got it,it took about a year for the smell to go away completely.

[matthew1]

Spiney - "I was surprised at some of the problems for a car that cost over $35k in 1998."

That raises a flag. Reality is opposite of that. The fixes are expensive because the car cost $35k. Meaning: it was built with expensive parts, thus replacement parts are expensive. Except if you DIY and go to pick-n-pull yards.

[Jazzop]

What about this car makes you want it? Consider the number of 850s produced and all the trim levels & option packages that are more desirable, and you will probably realize that this specimen has little in its favor. And it's terribly overpriced. Personally, I'd never buy an 850 with an automatic transmission, and even if I were to, I'd never pay more than $2000 for it. If you can't find a better 850 for less money, you aren't looking hard enough.

[Benford]

I have had 5 different 850's 2 got wrecked and I gave one to my ex when we split up. We have a 96 Turbo wagon and a 97 T5 sedan. Both cars have 200,000 miles on them. The non turbo should last you a very long time if it is well cared for. First thing I would ensure is that the timing belt has been replaced. If you are not a do it your self person this is expensive. Like others have advised get it inspected by a good mechanic. My first 850 was a white 1995 GLT with black leather interior and a spoiler. I paid $7,000 in 2002 for that car and it had 120,000 miles on it. I got my T5 after the crash of 07 it is gorgeous one owner that had 140,000 miles I paid $3000! Be grateful for what a bad economy does for great used cars.

[Spiney]

Thanks for all of your replies. What makes this car interesting to me is the condition and the mileage. I just did an extensive Craigslist check. The average Volvo for sale had about 150,000 miles on the clock. Many had 170k or over. The few with under 100K were newer S40 or S60's with an asking price of $8K and up. Many of those had an issue, R title, Air Bag service message, needs transmission work but it won't cost much, you know the type. This car has no dents. Scratches only on the rear bumper, a super clean interior, and 88K original miles.

In order for me to buy it, he needs to come down closer to $3500 because if it wasn't done, I need to do the 70k service including the timing belt. I will have my mechanic look it over. We'll see. I'm going to drop by tomorrow and see what he's willing to do. Thanks, Dave

[cn90]

At 90K, a fair price for 1997 850 is about $3500 for a well-maintained car.
- Then job #1 is Timing Belt, pulleys. WP can wait until 150K or so.
- Job #2 is PCV.
- Job #3 is spark plugs, Bosch cap/rotor and new Bougicord (considering the age of the sp plug wire).

Tons of info in forum, search for these.

This car can easily go to 200K.

PS: Use the Timing Belt cost as a bargaining chip to drive the price down. Average TB job is $700 parts + labor.
Since I did it myself, I only spent money on parts.

[jblackburn]

Don't forget a transmission fluid change

[Spiney]

Besides the timing belt, what other parts are needed for a TB job? Thanks, Dave

I'm taking the car to my mechanic in the AM. I'm 90% sure the TB wasn't done. It's 18K overdue.

Will a AT fluid change risk problems? I've heard of AT's that were fine until the fluid was changed.

[erikv11]

Timing belt job: one timing belt, both rollers. 3 parts. Not the tensioner, not the water pump. Probably want to do the serp belt too.

At 88k, there is almost no chance of a trans fluid change causing problems. If you are concerned, like if the fluid is an awful chocolate brown, or if you just want to be cafreful (no harm in that!), then skip the flush method and do it by several drain-and-fill cycles. Drain via the drain plug and refill with ~3 quarts i.e. exactly what comes out, drive a couple thousand miles, drain and fill again, drive, repeat one more time. Will be a nice pink fluid and your trans is set for another 200k. Cheap Wal-mart fluid is more than adequate, change it every 30k or so after this.