Hey Guys,

Need a car and was always a big fan of the T5-R. Saw this car listed on Autotrader.

Cars for Sale: 1995 Volvo 850 T5-R Sedan in Edmond, OK 73013: Sedan Details - 333512401 - AutoTrader.com

I've never bought a used car, let alone one with 100,000 miles on it. What questions/things should I look for when considering this car? I don't want a car that's going to break down a lot and need a lot of $$$ put back into it. How reliable are these cars over 100k? Turbo cars always make me nervous...

LMK. Appreciate the help!

Chris

 

Are you local to the car? I can check it out for you if you'd like. Just need to work out some travel stuff. Send me a pm if you'd like.

Check out this link: https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...s-guide-13678/

I purchased my wagon with 188,000 on it and really haven't had any problems other than the transmission which I knew about before I purchased it.

These cars, because of age, usually need a lot of care. If you don't turn a wrench, you may want to stay away from the 850's and S/V70's.

 

>These cars, because of age, usually need a lot of care. If you don't turn a wrench, you may want to stay away from the 850's and S/V70's.

+1.

If the previous owner took impeccable care of the car, 100,000 miles is not much. However, not many people follow scheduled/preventive maintenance and then they end up with more $$$ for repair/another car.

I would ask for a maintenance record. Then, I would open the hood & check he engine compartment (leaky fluid, broken/missing parts, etc...), do a walk-around check on the exterior, interior for cleanliness, check all lights, and test drive it to check the engine, tranny, wheels/steering & brakes, etc.... Pre-purchase inspection by a certificated ASE Master Tech is a must.

If this sounds too much, go with rspi's advice.

JPN

 

Agree with above and I'd also suggest taking someone else with you. The more knowledgeable the better as he or she can give you a reality check on something that's important and you might overlook.
That and "good cop bad cop" never hurts when offering a seller $$$

 

LOL, one thing about these cars that kinda makes me smile is when people that have taken care of the car post an ad and list the 700+ things that they have had serviced/fixed within the past 3 years. That alone should make someone RUN in fear of buying that MONEY PIT. Always something with these early FWD Volvo's.

 

Or the people who have "invested" so much money in a vehicle and they list oil changes, brake pads and other wear items that are simply maintenance and think they're going to get that money back when they sell.

 

I actually had a lady tell me that. "I need more because I put an some brakes and brake lines on it". LOL Reminds me of when I was selling real estate and someone wanted more money because they had to replace a bad furnace, as if someone would buy the house with a bad furnace and leaking roof.

 

And it would be a different matter if they put in an upgraded furnace or heat pump but they likely put in the cheapest furnace they could get away with.

Same with cars. I've had plenty of people buy parts that they would never put on "their" car if they were keeping it but they just want it running to sell. Like 12.99 brake pads.

That's why it can go either way when someone advertises they have done this or that to their car. Without them having records and better yet receipts you don't know if they bought crap just to get it running or quality parts with a strong warranty.

 

I went to look at a very clean '92 240 Wagon with 115,000 on the clock and the guy needed to do a few things. I pointed them out in my negotiation but he would not give me a price so I told him to let me know when he had one.

Well, turns out that it's the last thing that he needs to liquidate from his mother's estate so he has some attachment issues. He then took the car and had it tuned up at Midas or some where like that. The next time I seen him and he told me that I let him know that it was a mistake and that Volvo's like Volvo parts, especially when it comes to ignition parts. The last time I seen him he informed me that the car was now stalling. Maybe he'll dump it soon.

 

l love this thread.lmao. 7000+ is something l will never put in a car that old. l know its a volvo and still hold its value but no matter how well its been kept, its an old car and something will definitely break unless its rebuilt and modified from head to toe, then l will pay that much.

 

soo true brother, my dealer did same to me. replaced the rotor with some cheap rotor and it was warped.l bet he added it to the price l had to pay for my car.l went back to him and he told me stories.replaced the rotor and the vibrations stopped. l decided not to trust that dealer of mine noo more. like RSPI said they are stealers not dealers.lol