1994 850
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1994 850
Thinking of buying a 1994 850 with 310,000 kilos for $2,000. What advice can you give me? Live in Canada so price is considerably higher than if it was selling in the USA. Had a 86 760T which served me well, now have a 02 V70T which is great! Son needs a car.
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RE: 1994 850
Have you got a complete mechanical history? Bills and receipts? If not, a THOROUGH mechanical inspection. When was the timing belt last done? PCV system? Transmission serviced?
Have you gone through the car thoroughly to see if...
1) power seats work? (seat reclines back and forward, etc)
2) heated seat cushions work?
3) electronic climate controls are working? (dial between defrost and floor to make sure that shaft inside the HVAC system hasn't split...)
4) On turning the key to the start position, do all dashlights illuminate? (showing that someone hasn't removed a bulb or a bulb isn't burnt out from being on all the time)
5) each of the power window switches are working?
6) No smell of antifreeze emanating from the dash vents nor any antifreeze pooling on the floor of the footwell areas? (signs of the heater core problem)
7) parking brake engages and disengages without being seized up? (they don't get a lot of use on an automatic and seize up with the snow and salt in winter)
8) A/C is cranking out cold air, right?
9) ignition key turns smoothly in the ignition and doesn't need to be jiggled.(ignition switch wears out on these vehicles)
10) windshield wiper on driver side clears windshield completely (run water from roof) (If not, may need a new wiper arm).
The car is a 94 so it's got OBDI... you could read the codes to see what has been stored recently... takes some time but could be worth it. There's so much more to add to the list but that's the stuff you can easily do yourself when looking at it. A mechanical inspection will identify suspension and steering component wear, fluid leaks, brakes, etc....
Have you gone through the car thoroughly to see if...
1) power seats work? (seat reclines back and forward, etc)
2) heated seat cushions work?
3) electronic climate controls are working? (dial between defrost and floor to make sure that shaft inside the HVAC system hasn't split...)
4) On turning the key to the start position, do all dashlights illuminate? (showing that someone hasn't removed a bulb or a bulb isn't burnt out from being on all the time)
5) each of the power window switches are working?
6) No smell of antifreeze emanating from the dash vents nor any antifreeze pooling on the floor of the footwell areas? (signs of the heater core problem)
7) parking brake engages and disengages without being seized up? (they don't get a lot of use on an automatic and seize up with the snow and salt in winter)
8) A/C is cranking out cold air, right?
9) ignition key turns smoothly in the ignition and doesn't need to be jiggled.(ignition switch wears out on these vehicles)
10) windshield wiper on driver side clears windshield completely (run water from roof) (If not, may need a new wiper arm).
The car is a 94 so it's got OBDI... you could read the codes to see what has been stored recently... takes some time but could be worth it. There's so much more to add to the list but that's the stuff you can easily do yourself when looking at it. A mechanical inspection will identify suspension and steering component wear, fluid leaks, brakes, etc....
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,340
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From: IPS, MA
RE: 1994 850
+1.
I would take it to a certified technician for pre-purchase inspection. Make sure to test drive & play with all electrical devices as suggested above. If the engine/transmission hesitates, I would leave it alone.
My 1st & 2nd replies at the following may be of some reference:
https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm
EDIT: Some '94 models are OBD-II compatible.
JPN
I would take it to a certified technician for pre-purchase inspection. Make sure to test drive & play with all electrical devices as suggested above. If the engine/transmission hesitates, I would leave it alone.
My 1st & 2nd replies at the following may be of some reference:
https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm
EDIT: Some '94 models are OBD-II compatible.
JPN
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