Hey guys, considering making an offer on a car I checked out today at a local dealership.

It has 2 original owners, a clear title, a clean CARFAX, appears garage kept as the paint couldn't look better for the age. A/C and heat work great, also has a sunroof, heated seats, and a working stereo. There are a few problems in the interior but for the most part it looks great. Non-smoker owned.

Here are the main problems with the car:
-Driver and passenger side metal beams above door/windshield are stripped of rubber coat
-Hood does not pop without a struggle (takes 2 minutes of jiggling)
- Rusting on trunk lock hinge
- Driver side seat back support does not allow forward/backward movement (the motor works but it needs a new cable)
- The charcoal canister is missing
- Above passenger-side airbag there is an area where the interior of the dash is popped up and detached (either from heat exposure causing melting or someone took apart the dash)
- There was very little oil when I checked
- The driver's side door cannot be unlocked without a key thob, or unlocking the car manually from the passenger side
- Very small tare in the driver's seat

Based on all the issues with the car, what would you consider an acceptable and fair offer to the dealership? I have a low budget but have been looking for a Volvo for a while and think I found a good fit. It has a lot of pep for the age and is good on inspection 'til February.

The guy is asking $2,990

Any feedback would be great, thanks in advance.

 

most of the problems are common 850 issues.the only one that bugs me is the low oil level.who knows how long its been driven like that or if it has done any damage.aside from that i think 2,300-2,500 is not a bad price...

 

Are you going to have a tech ck it out? I would...

Low oil level could indicate it's a mosquito killer (i.e. burns oil).

You didn't say how many miles on the clock either?

The canister missing would concern me; in my state you have to have a smog inspection when the title changes hands (and every two years otherwise) so I would make them prove it's smog legal BEFORE you give them any $$$. My two cents FWIW...

Update: I just read your other post; so you lost the canister....
I would still make them prove it will pass inspection before you buy.

 

i would say $2200 give or take some change. in WI we done have emissions for 95 or under

 

What I usually do is check the value at www.NADAGuides.com. I take high retail then back off the cost of repairs. What usually ends up happening is that I let them know, that I know, that repairs cost $$$ then find a happy meeting point. Usually happy for me and fair for them. They probably picked up the car for $1,200.

A couple of questions:
- How low was the oil?
- Any signs of leaks?
- How old is the radiator?
- How many miles?
- Turbo or non?
- Does it have the OB-II connector in front of the shifter under the coil holder?

Hope this works. Also, I believe there is a buyer's guild in the 850 section.

 

I just missed a 95 with 200k on it for $2k....wasnt looking too hard and saw one at a small used auto yard...test drove it for 1/2 and hour..he wanted $2300 ...mine is the 5 speed manual, no turbo, nice inside and out, everything works good.had 97k on it..I said (old trick) I like it, but I'm gonna sleep on it...I was just about to throw out $2000 at him and he said I can make you a deal today...I said ok, whats your version of a deal ,,he said $1700 cash,, I said I'll be right back...if you dont have cash you cant really barter very much..and RSPI is right they probably got it at an auction, for $1200 or less.....we need your mileage to judge,,,just a side note,, I doubt I will ever buy from a dealership again, one used truck and one used motorcycle cured me...$3k is too high, I might offer $2 for it, kinda have to be there...Rog

 

Don't know how I forgot to list it, but the mileage is a little less than 162,000

Here's the online listing:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...eadExists=true

 

I would ask if timing belt was changed and when? That is price downer.
Otherwise car looks great.

 

im selling my 94 850 sedan with 119,000 original miles ( odometer works ) passed california smog today for 2800.00

1994 VOLVO 850 SEDAN

VIN # YV1LS5523R2135967

2.4 Liter ENGINE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

119,000 ACTUAL MILES (LESS THAN 8,000 MILES A YEAR ) - THE ODOMETER IS IN PERFECT WORKING CONDITION

SILVER EXTERIOR

DARK GREY LEATHER INTERIOR

POWER WINDOWS, POWER DOOR LOCKS, SUNROOF, DUAL POWER SEATS, POWER MIRRORS, CD/TAPE WITH 6 DISC CD CHANGER

FULL TUNE UP (CAP AND ROTOR, WIRES,PLUGS,AIR AND FUEL FILTER)

OIL CHANGE

NEW FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE WITH MATCHING RIM

PASSED SMOG , REGISTERED CURRENT , CLEAN TITLED VEHICLE.... CAR FAX REPORT IS INCLUDED WITH SALE

 

looks pretty good exterior wise , looks like they took pictures after rain. make sure the car is actually that glossy in direct sun. also who took a dump on the center console?

i'd probably pass on that one though. its 2990 plus tax, license, documents, and possibly smog or inspection ? with the known problems. the car was probably a trade in which they picked up for 1000-1200