850R Wagon soon to be owner

velophoto · Post by **velophoto** » 04 Feb 2005, 23:24

Hi there,

Thanks for all the detailed info on this forum. I've read into a number of the issues/annoyances that I've found with the '96 850R wagon that I am considering purchasing.

I still have some questions though:

1) None of the cabin/dome lights work. The rear passenger dome lights don't work either. Is this a bulb, fuse or wiring thing? Also, this car has the sunroof problem where it won't close all the way unless you give it some "help." Is that related?

2) The black pillar trim is cracking off exposing what I guess is aluminum underneath. Is this gonna be problematic with rust and things underneath the aluminum and in the pillar itself? (Ok I know this might be nit picky)

3) Timing belt - Does the mileage number on the cover indicate the mileage it was last changed or when it should be changed? I'll get a for sure answer on this when I pull maintenance records, but I am anxious to know.

The rest of the stuff I was looking for I already found.

Thanks!

-Jay

velophoto · Post by **velophoto** » 05 Feb 2005, 10:51

I found a thread on the cracking doortrim too! Electrical tape or detailing tape will work fine!

Anyone on the other questions I had?

-Jay

Post by **matthew1** » 05 Feb 2005, 11:04

Probably a fuse if all the dome lights don't work. But hey maybe there's a coincedence and all the bulbs are out.

What's the milage on the car, and what does the timing belt sticker say?

velophoto · Post by **velophoto** » 05 Feb 2005, 14:52

Thanks for the reply Matthew!

The timing belt sticker read something like 75k plus some change miles. Not sure if it referred to the mileage at which the belt should be changed or when it was last changed. Current mileage on the car is 109K. So it's either 35K miles late or I've got till 145k to do the next one. Seller says everything except oil changes on this car was maintained at the dealer, but that his wife generally handled everything since it was mostly her car.

I found a place online in Sunnyvale, CA that will do a free inspection. So I can at least get them to put it on a lift for me to eyeball leaks and what not.

I can't pull service records, nor do the inspection till Monday... I'm just anxious so I wanted to check these boards.

Thanks again!

-jay

Post by **matthew1** » 05 Feb 2005, 19:08

A '96 would need a belt change at 70k. So the sticker only makes sense if you read it as "the belt was changed at 75k." But do check the records anyway.