Looking at a 98 V90

[rmmagow]

I'm going to go test run a 98 V90, 185000 miles, asking price $3900. Seems somewhat high but it is at a dealer and has a warranty. Pics look good. I have a 98 V70 and realize the V90 is a RWD etc.
Quick question, any super bad downsides to this car? I am thinking not as Volvo was pretty good with RWD for a long time. Is the engine much different other than North/South and a 6? Electronics and emission control similar to V70?
Car looks good and has a clean CarFax.
I'll poke around thevolvosite.com and see what else I can find out. This would be a nice addition and at 185000 I'd keep this and let my wife have the 172000 V70. I like my old wildebeasts

[Nickster]

Here are the things to watch out for in a V90:

1) The suspension needs constant work of one kind or another. It seems that the engineering is inadequate for the weight of the engine it must support. Count on various bushings, arms and other bits needing work every year.

2) Unless you find the right tires, you will have massive problems with cupping. I went through several brands of tires until I found Yokohama Avids, which seem to work quite well.

3) My head gasket went at around 225,000 miles. The head is aluminum, so it shifts around and wears out the gasket.

4) My throttle cable bushing (at the firewall) broke at 200,000. Went in there with Gorilla tape and jerry-rigged it. Seems to work.

5) Has started to eat a bit of oil now. Probably normal for its age.

Other than the above, the car has been very reliable and quite comfortable to drive.