Purchase Advice--saabandvolvobymats in PDX

BoxHead · Post by **BoxHead** » 08 Apr 2006, 20:42

Howdy all. I've been thinking about a '98 s70 GLT with 37,000 ok the odo. Sounds good so far. Now, it's a three owner vehicle, i'd be the fourth. Its got a salvaged title, which came from a right rear hit, body and axle replaced. Sounding worse now. But, i think i could pick it up for 8k with a year warranty from saabandvolvobymats.com in portland. This guy has been working on these cars in sweden for fourty years, and seems like a nice enough guy. Has anyone here dealt with him? This is really my dream car, as I grew up on my moms 850 which lasted 180k essentially trouble free. My issue is that i'm a graduate student, so i can no longer work on my own vehicle, and i'm going to be pressed for cash the two years after the warranty runs out before i can start working. My questions is, is the price fair? What am i looking at so far as upkeep for say 10k mi. a year at the indy? Am i just asking for it? Well, it seems like it, but i want another opinon(s), because, like i said, i'd be a very proud owner. Also, there is an emmissions issue right now that mats will fix that is setting off the CEL, and the steering wheel is at 2 o'clock when going straight, but all else is fine as far as suspension. Thanks a lot folks. Cheers.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 08 Apr 2006, 21:21

With a salvage title, even with those low miles, I wouldn't give more than $5K for it. It makes you wonder why 3 other owners have abandoned it. Just my $.02 but really, there are reasons.

Emmission issue can be most anything
2:00 and going straight on a rear-ended salvaged vehicle? That may be all the adjustment there is on it with bent frame and all. I would be very very leary.

Post by **JRL** » 08 Apr 2006, 21:48

Ehh!
NO!
Run, don't walk away. It's worth practically nothing with an R title.
Sure it has no miles, it's been in a body shop or a junkyard for YEARS
You do the math, 3 owners, 38K miles, 8 years old and it obviously has front end damage too, probably a bent unibody
No dealer will ever take it trade at ANY price so what do you need the aggrevation for and it's priced over twice what it's worth.
Pay 3 grand TOPS, FIXED and drive it into the ground if you must

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 08 Apr 2006, 22:38

Boxhead,
Coming from someone who deals in used Volvo's on a daily basis, I believe every word JRL says about this vehicle. Don't do it.

BoxHead · Post by **BoxHead** » 09 Apr 2006, 10:44

So where do I find a nice 850 type turbo sedan? OK, stupid question. Which are generally the best models?

Post by **robert213** » 09 Apr 2006, 11:53

Other than the obvious...
eBay.com
autotrader.com

Check the classified sections of all Volvo online forums...

Also, IPDUSA.com has a classifieds section

I like cars.com. It is an on-line listing of the classified ads section of major newspapers throughout the United States.

Post by **matthew1** » 09 Apr 2006, 15:39

Sometimes I see potential or current Volvo owners trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. This is one of those.

You have no time to work on a car + you have little money to pay for both the car and/or repairs = get a used Toyota or Honda. Toyota/Honda will always -- on average -- beat Volvo and other makes for low ownership cost.

I'm not saying this in a negative way, please don't take it that way. I believe
the definition of being a student is sacrificing your time and living conditions now to gain knowledge, paycheck, and higher living standards later.

Post by **JRL** » 09 Apr 2006, 17:47

BoxHead wrote:So where do I find a nice 850 type turbo sedan? OK, stupid question. Which are generally the best models?

From me, of course. Unfortunately, you're 3000 miles away.

Also unfortunate is the point that Matthew is right. To buy a Volvo in the 3K range AND it need nothing is near to impossible.
If you find a decent one in the 5-6K range it STILL will need some work and maintenance. These cars do NOT keep running without it like a Jap car will

BoxHead · Post by **BoxHead** » 09 Apr 2006, 17:57

I'm not trying to get away with murder here. I'd be find spending 10k on a nice FWD used volvo. But how long would 5K last for indy maintanence? Seems like it should last two years, but who really knows. I had great experience with the 850 some years back, but i've had friends who bought lemons. Also, a turbo would be really *nice*, but I suppose these things get beat up a bit more...Thanks.

Post by **JRL** » 10 Apr 2006, 06:00

BoxHead wrote:I'm not trying to get away with murder here. I'd be find spending 10k on a nice FWD used volvo. But how long would 5K last for indy maintanence? Seems like it should last two years, but who really knows. I had great experience with the 850 some years back, but i've had friends who bought lemons. Also, a turbo would be really *nice*, but I suppose these things get beat up a bit more...Thanks.

You want to spend 10K, I'll get you a teriffic "70" for much less.
You may have gotten great service from an 850 years ago. The operative word is "years ago" These cars are becoming very old cars now.
Many of the things that are going wrong with them now is not just mileage, it's time. Seals rot, electronics corrode, etc.