...and would like to stay. So maybe someone can help me decide if this a good deal:

1996 960 Wagon, 152k miles, seller is asking $2500

The Good:
[ul][*]Very well maintained[*]One owner[*]Vehicle would be great for my purpose[*]Car sounds and drives very well[*]I really enjoyed driving it[*]Car is for age very clean inside
[/ul]
The Bad (what I know):
[ul][*]ABS light is on (owner set he would get this checked and fixed)[*]Drivers seat moves only on one site (owner said he got an estimate of $100-$150 to get it fixed). This needs to get fixed.[*]Will need 4 new tires soon[*]The hood and rear gate/door won't stay open (vehicle comes with correctly sized stick to hold them open)[*]Fuel gauge not working correctly (I have no problem getting fuel by mileage)[*]Tear in rear seat where child seat used to be (my child seat will cover that)
[/ul]Like I said, I'd like to get some input as to if the asking price of $2500 is reasonable. The only two issues that really bug me are the ABS light and the seat issue. I was not sure if this should go into the 960 forum. Please move if it is better over there.

 

That is not that bad of a price.

 

Welcome to the forum.

If the current owner plans to fix the ABS, great. If not, find trouble code (may have to be done at the dealer) and if it is the module, the following shop may be able to fix it (but the shop may not work on 960):

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/

Worth a contact.

I believe many used cars need new tyres. The hold rods for the hood & trunk should be easy to replace and you may be able to find OEM parts at PepBoys (on 850 the OEM rods are made by German Stabilus). Or you can try:

Hood:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...category_id/39

Rear gate:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...category_id/42

Fuel gage problem:
Sender Unit:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...ategory_id/149

I could not locate the gage.

I hope this helps. It may be worth the money to have it inspected by a Volvo technician.

Good luck,


JPN

 

Thanks for the replies guys and thanks for moving the post. What you say sounds very encouraging. The only thing holding me back is the automatic transmission. I have been driving stick shift for more then 20 years and don't know if I can trust an automatic. Are the 960 transmissions reliable?

Edit: Can I pull a small trailer with the 960? Only for short distances from the next Home Depot to the house. I will probably get a hitch installed anyway to attach a bike rack.

 

Price sounds good. Auto transmission is reliable, if properly maintained. Small trailer should be no problem. Just do not drive in overdrive when pulling it.

 

Looks like I'll stay. Just bought a '94 850 Turbo wagon. The seller of the 960 never replied to my last email so I kept looking and found the 850. It has 163k miles and was up until about 150k miles regulary serviced at a volvo dealership and then sold to the current owner. I called the dealership and checked on the recent major service and they changed the timing belt about 20k miles ago and also serviced the transmission. Only3 things I could find wrong with the car: the tailgate doesn't stay up, the clove compartment cover broke of and is missing and the back part of the seat is not moving. I can hear the motor but nothing happens. The car is quite clean for such an old vehicle and the leather seats are in good condition. No tears and just usual wear. Emission test was done in November and at least two of the tires have around 20k miles left in them. I haven't picked it up yet (either later today or tomorrow)but we agreed on $2,200. I'mquite happy with the price.

 

Congrats!!

 

get yourself a good condition 95+ maxima for that same price

the problems with this car you found are serious (abs, seat not moving)


too late just read your last post

 

Both the seat and ABS are pretty easy repairs.

 

Come on over to the 850 forum, we will help youdeal with the problems.

Tailgate:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...category_id/42

http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...category_id/42

90% of the time I go with the OEM, but in this case the aftermarket version may do.


JPN

 

IMO make and model are fairly unimportant when buying a car that old. What is way more important is if the vehicle was regularly serviced. Each car I looked at I pulled the carfax and like I said earlier the 850 was serviced at one dealership almost its entire "life". The only thing that I'd change would be getting a manual.

 

There are no problems, only a few challenges.