Ok guys. Some of you know I bought this car not long ago. I got it for $3000 cash. What I have found out so far is that it needs the following:

Rear brake pads
PCV system
both 02 sensors
odometer gear
abs module

Most likely:
expansion tank
evaporator core
wheel alignment

the car marks 130k but I am not sure how long it has been like that. SRS light is on. I feel by the time I replace all these things, I will have invested almost another $1k for a car that I have no idea how long will last. What do ya'll think?

 

Are you going to change the parts yourself?

Do you like the car aesthetically?

What about timing belt and tensioner? When was that done?

 

Yes, you may spend another 1-2K on the car, but if you like it and it has been reasonably taken car of in the past, you should be able to get 250-300K out of it with regular maintenance. Agree with Axelm, when has the timing belt and tensioner been replaced?

BTW, $3000 for a 96 is not a bad price

 

i will do all the work myself because I am not a fan of giving my money away to a greasy mechanic. I am not sure when the timing belt was replaced, but it is in my to do list. I also think the blower fan is going out. Once in a while it squeals and now it will sometimes not turn on at all. It is a nonturbo so im not thrilled with the performance. Until I get the PCV and O2 sensors replaced, I am not sure how well it actually does on gas mileage. The driver side seat is cracked and torn but other than that, it looks alright.

 

For that price I don't think you made a mistake.

 

as far as aesthetics, i like my gf's 97 960 much better even though it was nonturbo. too bad it died on us or else, i wouldnt be in this situation.

 

I would get it looking good and sell it for as much as you can get out of it, then buy a Turbo model in better condition. I would not put another $1-2K into and NA model. Especially since you said it's a non-turbo model and you are not happy with the performance. Anybody willing to take on as much as you are and do it yourself should be driving a car that they love to drive.

YOU NEED AN "R" OR AT LEAST A TURBO MODEL!!!

 

guess i can't complain, by the time i get my '96 non-turbo totally maintenanced and hood/bumper replaced, i'll probably have $2500 in it.

 

Now $2500 that's not bad at all. I just would not tie $4-5,000 into one. That's all I'm saying.

 

yeh, guess i can do that. I have decided to notdo any modifications of any kind. no upgraded parts. some parts will actually be autozoned vs oem, like the rear brake pads I got last night

 

My question is why would you buy a non turbo (N/A) car and then complain about the performance?

I mean it isn't going to be a sporty car without a turbo in it.

I suggest you fix what needs done and then sell it and buy a turbo model.

 

Like I previously mentioned, my gf owned a 97 960 and the straigtht 6 was peppy, moved that car around pretty good. This is MY first volvo. Originally I bought it because we had good luck with the 960 so I didnt expect so many things to be wrong with this 850. Guess it is time to give up and say live and learn. Next time, it may not even be a volvo [:@]

 

for whatever it's worth, my non-turbo feels pretty quick for what it is. i certainly fear no merging lane. :P

 

I milk mine! 3500 RPM is what it sees while merging. I cruise at 2000-2200 RPM on the highway. I can't remember the last time I had it over 3500 RPM.

Systek - I wouldn't blame this on Volvos in general. The cars are well built and reliable IMO. Little things break but what do you expect on a 10+ year old car. Look at all the old 240's and 740's driving around, we're talking 20+ year old cars. You see a lot of those here as daily drivers, yet the only other cars that are driving around that are that old are collectables such as vettes. I wouldn't give up just because you had a bad experience with one, which you bought used. Any time you buy a used car one should expect to drop a couple grand into it to make it ship-shape IMO.

 

Given my current financial situation, I thought I had all my bases covered. Who could have known the odo gear would break the first day I had the car????? As for the other stuff, there were no tell tale signs. Guess if I can fix it up and make a few bucks off of it or get my money back after driving around for at least a year, it will have paid for itself.

I'm not trying to sling mud to Volvos, especially in a volvo forum. I just didn't know so many things could be wrong with the car and it would not show up during our test drives...Guess it's a good thing I'm handy with tools and am no n00b to mechanical work. today I get to bride the shop guys to let me use the lift and their air tools

 

well, just spoke to the shop manager. He isnt using the lift and he will be around to help out with tools! Usually he isnt even here cause he is out in the field. Guess I got kinda lucky. the weather is great so it would definitely be great if I also had the O2 sensors to replace. At least I'll get to finally inspect the bottom of the car and try to locate the coolant leak. I'll also have a better idea what is going on with the suspension and determine if any parts need to be replaced since there is uneven wear on the front tires. Wish me luck before I fill this car full of buckshot!


















J/K...[8D]

 

GOOD LUCK!

 

good gosh...! 20 minutes after lifting the car, I almost stranded myself...I almost took the caliper assembly apart. I had no idea all you had to do was pull out two pins and the retaining clip. As brake fluid started to seep out, I stopped. looked again and tightened everything up.

Wow, the pads did NOT have to be replaced. I noticed that the pistons can not be retracted enough. I have no idea how to push them in without havinng them pop back out. So, I managed to get the replacement pads to fit without the shims coming off. However, the pads I took off were missing their shims, so I guess that is why they squealed so bad. Oh well. the O'reilly $20 pads do not squeak at all.

One other thing, I lifted the car all the way up and inspected the underside. Looks like it took a bad in oil. The whole underside is caked in oil from the engine to the rear wheelwells. The engine bottom has no oil and the lower crossmember is a different color than the rest of the car and not caked with oil. So, I'm guessing the engine blew and was repaired/replaced.

PS, it looks like the radiator end, which is plastic, is cracked and that is where i'm losing coolant. So, i get to add radiator to replacement list...

 

are you sure you arent' looking at the undercoating and not a caking from an oil leak.

I've got a 96 non turbo, 102k, and the undercoating is still perfect underneath.

 

I have no idea if there is an undercoating. it lookes like old caked oil...