Two '98 Volvos for sale near me...share opinions..?

[SonicAdventure]

Ok so there are two 1998 Volvos for sale near me. My GF wants to buy a 3rd car as a backup as both of our cars are old. I figured I could do some maintenance on whatever she buys and try to make it last as long as possible. Here is a summary of the cars:

1998 S70 base nonturbo 5sp, black, ok interior, needs 2 tires, brake pads all around. 274k on the clock but the motor has been changed. No idea of timing belt status. The car looks pretty straight asking price is around $800

1998 V70 base, automaticvery nice condition, has leaky heater core and has 211K but the timing belt was only changed ONCE at 70k!!! Unbelievable I know but it's still running good. Silver with black leather interior very clean. Asking $975.

I'm thinking the V70 sounds like a better deal, but I like the manual trans in the S70 and since either of these might become parts cars, I'm inclined to go with the S70.

Please share your thoughts, thanks.

[cn90]

I don't know about these "$800 car", they could be a money pit.

Save up and spend $5K on 2004-2007 models with 2.5T engine and about 90K-100K miles, on the long run you potentially save money.

[erikv11]

On the S70, when was the clutch done? If you can't DIY a clutch job and it may need it, that would be a big strike against it.

Both need a timing belt so that's a wash. Either one you'll need to spend another $500 early on (timing belt, fluid changes, PCV, maybe ignition parts).

211k is not that many miles, especially if a lot of them are highway. From the info so far: if the V70 has 4 good tires I'd start at 850 and feel fine if I paid 900. A nice interior goes a long way.

You're going to want to look at them both: Which one has more squeaks when you drive it? How are the suspension parts? Any torn CV boots? Do the brake calipers look like rusting marine hulks or like calipers? With just a little inspection, a money pit P80 is super easy to spot.

[SonicAdventure]

I'm going to look at both of the cars this Tuesday. Both of the prices I mentioned were the current asking prices. I'm sure there is some wiggle room in both. Honestly I'd say in light of all the work they both potentially need (I.e. Timing belt replacement immediately after purchase) I'd say I wouldn't want her to pay much more than $500-600 for either of them.

I'll know better after I see them, hear them run and drive them. The V70 will also need a new heater core asap, but that's cheap and simple. I just really like the '98 model because it's Emissions exempt in PA due to the test readiness protocols. It seems like the 99 and 2000 models are more of a pain to work on. And it's getting pretty hard to find 850s in any kind of decent shape; they are either barely running dogs with torn up interiors or $5000 that some Volvo enthusiast has kept up well over the years and they know what they have on their hands, lol.

[tryingbe]

I'd take the 5 spd...

[850 LPT]

Me too...

[abscate]

Ill tell you to buy the automatic, so I can snarf down and scoop up the 5 speed.

Tough Love here.

[850 LPT]

Ill tell you to buy the automatic, so I can snarf down and scoop up the 5 speed.

Tough Love here.

This one is a little closer, Steve. wanna go check it out together?


https://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/6176518590.html

[erikv11]

This one is a little closer, Steve. wanna go check it out together?


https://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/6176518590.html

This one sounds much better than either of the first two. Even though it is not a 98 I'd buy it if I was looking to fill a slot in the driveway.

[Clemens]

Hilarious!

Btw., the white one looks like a steal. It even has turbo rims!