Hello all

I'm looking at a Volvo 850 GLT tomorrow

I believe it is a 93, will know tomorrow for sure.

I live near the University of Notre Dame by South Bend, Indiana. My family is from Norway and I have always wanted a Saab or a Volvo


This 850 is in really good shape except for a dent in the passenger side door and the rear bumper is sagging by one of the mounting brackets. Both are easy fixes by my friend who owns a body shop. The interior is in excellent shape and the seats are clean with no rips or holes.

160k miles and has cold A/C

Thats about what i know. It is at a used car dealership and had a sign that said not for sale. I called the owner of the dealer and he said he wants to fix the body damage first, and then it would be for sale for about $3k.

I asked him how much for it as is. We talked a bit and got to $1,400.

He says its a good running car.

Obviously I have only peaked around it and through the windows.

NO RUST, headlights are clear glass is good and no puddles underneath.

Looks to be well maintained.


I am looking to buy this for a nice daily driver while I build up my Lexus SC300 the way I want.

I might do some small things to the Volvo like lower it and get slotted rotors, exhaust, and a K&N drop in filter. Minor stuff.

No turbo or engine build projects, just easy things.

If it runs and drives well, what do you guys think?

I have heard that the 850 is a very well built car and can last a long time. Especially since I will primarily drive it during the winter and on rainy days the rest of the year. I love my Lexus too much to take it out in the snow.

It is dark green on tan power everything, leather, moonroof, etc.

Let me know what you guys think. It might be a week or so before I take possession, but I really want it.

 

Welcome. Volvo's are one hell of a car for the money. $1400, I would buy. http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-850/c-1-72/ ipdusa has a lot of sweet products, and it is a great company to work with. There are other companies out there, and this link should take you to them:https://volvoforums.com/m_38616/tm.htm

 

Thanks for the welcome.

The guy is friendly and I can actually say an honest guy. Has some collector cars not for sale in his show room.

So if you Volvo afficianado's say its a good deal I'll probably do it.

I'm checking out iPD now.

 

Sweet. Just check the carfax report (even though they will not tell you everything), and inspect the car a little further, but it sounds like a good deal.

 

Also remember if it is a 93 some parts will be a little different than the normal 850. The 93 has 4 lug rims and rotors.

$1400.00 isn't that bad as long as its a clean car.

 

$1400 is a good deal in my opinion. The only downside I see is as Tech said. 93's have several one year only, model specific things. Not a big deal though

 

Yep I thought it was a good deal.

I'm not sure exactly if its a 93 or not.

I will know more tonight when i test drive it.


What should I look for for problems?

 

Look it over good.
Check engine mounts for sagging.
Make sure the A/C works.
Check the dash good the mounting tabs break then the dash will continue to fall apart for it sagging.

 

Well really mechanical things. Common signs of engine failure, etc

Is the A/C a tough fix if it doesn't work?

 

It will really depend on what wrong. But the evaperators are known to go bad. I made a walkthrough for doing it.

These engines really don't fail unless they were either run with no oil or no coolant. Other than that they are really good engines.

 

Thanks thats the reassurance I need.

I'll look for the walk through.

If the AC works should I have it evacuated and recharged with R134a if it has not been done yet?

 

If it works I would leave it till it goes empty.

 

Hello VJZ,

As mentioned, look, touch, push, pull, turn on, turn off, twist, prod, poke and try everything possible to make sure that they work. If something doesnt work take a note.

Buying a car only seen at night isnt really a good idea as there can be many things that you dont see until its in the driveway. A test drive at night, though, is a good idea as things look different in and outside of the car and you can also check how well the lighting is. Id recommend a second test drive during the day as well though.

A question for Tech - Although the 93 has a four bolt pattern, my 94 has a 5 X 108mm, what is the measurment for the four bolt? I have seen many cars with the four bolt (usually the Japanese cars)that have the multi-holed wheels and Im wondering if any of these would fit?

Back to VJZ - The dark green on tan is another of my favorite colour combos and they seem to look good from any angle forever. For $1400, and the links given for any parts you might need, you cant really go wrong. Also, as mentioned, as long as the car wasnt ridden hard and put away wet you should bereallyhappy with the car.

Take some notes for the car and a digi-cam pic or five and get back to us with the good news.


[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

The universal 4 lug rims won't fit the 5 lug. Not exactly sure what the specs are for the 4 lug though.

 

Back with good news.

The car is a 1995 850 GLT. The interior is super clean and still has Volvo rubber floor mats...lol. Leather is nice with NO rips.

The car has 162,xxx miles.

On the top of the timing cover someone chalked 140,000 which I was told means the timing job was done at that point.

Brakes were great, tires were decent (probably 65% or so). Steering was good and no noises.

It had the premium radio with cassette slot.

The only flaws were the fact that the recline feature of the drivers power seat didn't work. The motor was making noise, but no movement. The antenna didn't work and was broken off and the body damage.

Also, there was this part that appeared to be missing.




Other than that the car was cherry.

I'm putting a $200 deposit down on it on Saturday.


I really like it and already have some plans on what to do in the first week:

Paint the rims charcoal, calipers bronze, and the grille black only leaving the Volvo emblem and slant chrome line. I also have an extra set of Silverstars to put into it



Also, how hard is it to put the headlight wipers on the car? Not like thats a concern.

 

I have a post pinned in the top of the 850 section on how to fix the seat.
The lifters might have been tapping from the car sitting.
You can add the headlight wipers the wiring is there already. You will need the motors,arm, and plastic parts under the headlight unless you drill yours out.

Sounds pretty good.

P.S. I am going to try to fix your pics to make them work.

 

OK I could only get one pic working.
The part that is missing is part of the alarm siren horn.(Common)
Try to find a used one.

 

The lifters weren't tapping.

I'm just missing that part or whatever that is. So if it is the horn siren thing I am not worried.


Hopefully I can get this rolling soon!

Excited!

 

The part that is missing looks like a funny looking washer and nut. Thats all the siren might not work now. You can find one later.

What kind of noise is it that you heard?

 

When I meant motor noise I meant the power seat motor.

The engine under the hood was silent and rock solid.