I am looking to buy a 850 for my son. We have had Saab's previously, this will be our first Volvo. We are in SoCal. We found what looks like a nice 97 GLT with about 145k on the odometer. Carfax checks out clean and the original owner has records showing dealer service every 5k miles. Timing belt was replaced around 30k ago as were brakes and tires. Any other maintenance item that I should be looking out for.

Seller is asking $4,000, which seems a little below what most dealers are asking and a bit above most private sellers.

Any advice on price or other things to watch out for when we go to check it out other than the usual used car items.

Thanks

Len

 

Hello from Saab and volvo owner.

After years of Classic 900s, a couple modern GM Saabs - blech, and 740 Volvos, I bought a 1997 850 about a year ago.

Between this and my father-in- laws ownership of a 97 850 for the past 10 years, I have gotten a little bit of insight on them (though I am still learning)

When buying any used car, having service records is awesome. Worth a little extra in the asking price IMO.


That said, the first thing that comes to mind that I did not see in your post, is suspension/steering.

The Ball joints and steering bits on the 850 seem to have a service life of 90k-100k miles. Look through the records to see if anything has been done in that area. Ball joint and control arm replacement can be done at home for a couple hundred buck with parts from FCP Groton. It requires a little mechanical ability, but is not rocket science.

Struts (front and rear) should also be at least inspected for wear. They are a bit more expensive to replace, so they are a little bit more powerful bargaining tool.



Other things I have noticed in my limited experience (and by no means do I claim these are common failures, I honestly don't know).


- Odometer failure at around 150k. My stopped at 156. A couple others I have seen stopped in the mid 140s. Verify functionality. That will help verify that the seller is being honest about the mileage.

- Wiring connection points. Much improved over the 740s! However, if you live in a hot/humid area, corrosion can still run rampant around light sockets and other semi-exposed/not well sealed wiring junctions.

- If you live in a high heat/humidity area, you may be nearing the end of life on motor and transmission mounts.


Compared to owning a saab of a comparable age, my volvo has a much higher rate of functioning OEM equipment. All the little power doodads still work. AC still blows cold (ish) :lol:




My 850 is in the 225-250k range. It gets used in almost every manner a station wagon can be used. From rush hour to backroads and country fishing holes. It hauls my dogs, my bicycle, my fishing gear or my family with equal ease.

 

Here is a buyers guide link I found in one of the stickys: https://volvoforums.com/m_72405/tm.htm

You can check NADA guides for pricing. Sounds like a fair price if the car is clean but they may have room for negotiating, I can't advise on that because I don't know how you present. You can alway get a car inspector to check it out for about $125 or so. I will say that I like the S70 GLT a little better but they are both very comfortable cars.

 

I bought a 97 850 glt last week,its in good shape but a very solid car still.1600$ and so far im impressed with it.

 

$4000 is seems alittle high for an 850. and also turbo's can be more maintenance then non-turbos

 

Very true, 850_96 I got my '94 turbo with less mileage for less than 2 grand. I'd keep searching....if you look on craigslist, you can find better prices on these cars all day long.