1999 S70 T5 Would you buy car online?

speedyucf · Post by **speedyucf** » 23 Oct 2013, 22:29

There is a gorgeous 98 t5 on ebaymotors, right now. Looks just like mine, mine has 255k miles on it, just got new seats, doing dash mounts this weekend, needs a couple things to look pristine, but if you guys look at this t5 on ebay would you buy a car online without driving it? What are your thoughts? I mean this is pretty much a brand new car, but then again, I'm sure timing belt would have to be done, the mounts will go eventually, probably evaporator, etc etc. I guess the question is if you could have your car right now, but with 170k less miles for a minimal amount like 6-7k would you do it, or would you save the money and go for a newer 2005+ s60r or even newer 2012+ s60? I have no idea what is wrong with this s70 on ebay but I would love to have my car back in that condition again. That is the link. Oh yeah and no ETM since its the 98!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volvo-S70-T5-Se ... e-glossary

Post by **rspi** » 23 Oct 2013, 22:48

Pittsburgh?! I bet they never drove it in the winter. My mom still lives there, and my brother. I'll go pick it up for you.

I would prefer the '98 over a newer S60. I hope I never have to purchase a Volvo newer than a '98.

I have purchased my last 3 daily drivers off the internet. One in the next town, one in Queens NY and the wagon I have now in Providence RI. you can contact a car inspector to check it out.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 23 Oct 2013, 22:55

**

Accident Reported on AutoCheck and $6,000. Absolutely would not consider it. Low hard city driven miles is no comparison to high easy freeway miles, any day. Friend just drove from VA to CA in a 05 Grand Voyager with a 3.8L. Changed the oil at a quick lube right before the trip and the engine oil is still golden.

Blessings,

BKM

**

Post by **abscate** » 24 Oct 2013, 03:00

Spent its life in FL. Off road for one year after accident? A lot of warning signs here.
Price too high, but that's ebay for the most part.

Post by **erikv11** » 24 Oct 2013, 03:33

BKM98 S70 T5 wrote:**
Changed the oil at a quick lube right before the trip and the engine oil is still golden. ...

Well he sure dodged a bullet there!!

Post by **rspi** » 24 Oct 2013, 06:45

I agree. Having maintenance done right before a trip is not good. I could tell a lot of stories of issues people have had with mistakes mechanics made right before they hit the road...me included. I usually try to make sure things are done no later than a week in advance. But overall I just keep my car in decent condition and when it's time to hit the road I just do that, hit the road. I check the coolant and oil level, tire pressure, gas up and go. That's if I'm driving more than 1,000 miles. If less I may not even do that.

As for the S70, I just tried to go back and read the ad and it's gone. I'm on my phone 1/2 the time and when I glanced last night all I seen was a couple of pictures and the car looked clean as new. A lot of people up northeast have 2 cars, a winter beater and another car that they drive on nice days, after the roads are fixed, and on long trips. A lot of people shake their heads at nice cars with highish prices on them but I'm serious, I'd rather pay $6,000 for a real nice older Volvo than a 8 year old Honda Accord with 120,000 on the clock for $2,000 more.

As for the OP's question... my answer is yes, all day long.

Post by **rspi** » 24 Oct 2013, 06:57

BKM98 S70 T5 wrote: Friend just drove from VA to CA in a 05 Grand Voyager with a 3.8L. Changed the oil at a quick lube right before the trip and the engine oil is still golden.

People brag about clean oil in motors after being driven 1,000+ miles, I'm not sure that is a good thing. When a car motor is running it is creating pollution/dirt the entire time it's operating. Oil has detergents in it that causes the oil to get dirty while it's cycling through the motor. If the oil is not getting dirty it is not cleaning away the dirt that is being created.

I guess the motor can be so well designed that it runs cleaner. It could also be that the oil is so thin on the stick that it looks clean, drained in a cup or something it may not look as clean. It could also be that they used such a cheap oil that it has very little detergents in it to clean the motor.

Post by **rmmagow** » 24 Oct 2013, 07:23

I see the car is still up for sale as of 9:30 eastern time. Ebay's a crap shoot, 0 feedback but on the other hand the guy's probably advertising everywhere to get it sold. At 6K, maybe an additional $250 for an inspection might be worth it, but 6K is still a lot for and old white volvo. $4500 tops.

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Oct 2013, 07:46

rspi wrote:
BKM98 S70 T5 wrote: Friend just drove from VA to CA in a 05 Grand Voyager with a 3.8L. Changed the oil at a quick lube right before the trip and the engine oil is still golden.
People brag about clean oil in motors after being driven 1,000+ miles, I'm not sure that is a good thing. When a car motor is running it is creating pollution/dirt the entire time it's operating. Oil has detergents in it that causes the oil to get dirty while it's cycling through the motor. If the oil is not getting dirty it is not cleaning away the dirt that is being created.

I guess the motor can be so well designed that it runs cleaner. It could also be that the oil is so thin on the stick that it looks clean, drained in a cup or something it may not look as clean. It could also be that they used such a cheap oil that it has very little detergents in it to clean the motor.

Eh. Keep an engine clean to begin with (with a good oil that car's whole life) and the oil won't have a lot of crud to clean out.

Post by **rmmagow** » 24 Oct 2013, 07:56

So true. I changed my 98's oil over the weekend. It was in there for over 7000 miles and you could still see through it! I'm pretty amazed how well the oil holds up. Synthetic oil really makes a difference after a while. I just use Wal-Mart branded synthetic oil at roughly 17.50 a 5 qt jug, 10W30. My kid is running 5W30 in his 2006 Saturn and now it shows clean at change time too and it was black as night the first time I showed him how to change oil.