Would You Buy? 1997 Volvo 850

markbhorner · Post by **markbhorner** » 27 Jun 2016, 15:54

I am considering buying a friend's 1997 Volvo 850 sedan. It has 279k on the clock. One owner, meticulous repair, looks rough but still a tank. Drove it last summer. Would you buy? How much would you offer? What problems and known issues should I watch for? Your advice welcome.

Post by **tryingbe** » 27 Jun 2016, 19:26

No picture, no buy.

Drove last summer means the car been sitting for a year.
Turbo?
A/C working?
Good interior?
Ripped seats?
Accident?
Rust?
Any maintenance history/receipts?
Dead battery?

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 27 Jun 2016, 20:09

mark,
I purchased an S70 for $800. All the repairs and maintenance to get her to stage zero cost a pretty penny... (Especially considering there are still a few things to do...) The car was listed for $1200. I should have paid $600/$500...

Struts and shocks? ($500)
Control Arms? ($200)
Tires? ($500)
Timing Belt? ($250)
PCV? ($200)
Tune up? ($200)
All mounts ($200)

You can see how stuff starts to add up.

I'd be tempted to get the car and get one of those 300K stickers from rspi! That's badassery!

http://robertspinner.com/sotr.htm

Post by **abscate** » 28 Jun 2016, 03:59

If it starts, runs and shifts all gears it's $1000 basic transportation

If not, it's a $500 parts car

Either way, it's a potential $2000 money sink to drive it for one year, but it responds well to refurbishing stuff and could give you another 3 years of service for this money

Post by **oragex** » 28 Jun 2016, 05:04

abscate wrote:If it starts, runs and shifts all gears it's $1000 basic transportation

If not, it's a $500 parts car

Either way, it's a potential $2000 money sink to drive it for one year, but it responds well to refurbishing stuff and could give you another 3 years of service for this money

+1 Being a one owner I'd ask him/her/other gently but looking in the eyes: How is the car now mechanically? You will see if he is selling it because he knows it's ready for parting out or not. The $2000 sink mentioned here above, at the main Volvo dealer consider an additional digit

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 28 Jun 2016, 08:19

There are 850's I looked at for others who were interested in buying them, that if they were free I would have still refused.
Keep in mind the cost of repairs. If you are unpleasantly surprised after your purchase, it could hurt your friendship- just make sure you know what you're getting into.

Post by **tryingbe** » 28 Jun 2016, 09:50

If you can't work on your own car, do not buy a Volvo.

Post by **Clemens** » 28 Jun 2016, 14:23

Or any other old car.

markbhorner · Post by **markbhorner** » 28 Jun 2016, 17:25

Hey everyone, thanks for your replies. I know the owner quite well. She's very straightforward about what's been done and gives no guarantees as to the future of the car. I've got a call into her mechanic who's worked on the car practically since she was new. She's been driven since last summer. Starts, runs, everything works. I don't want to low ball my friend, but I also dont want to get robbed. As for condition, paint is scratched because she's been used. Leather seats are ripped but covered. Again, I know the car and felt very safe with it last summer.

Post by **abscate** » 28 Jun 2016, 18:14

Use the NADA low retail as a fair price in that condition. That takes the emotion out of it.

If you can't do your own work, though, these cars will eat you alive.