I'm about to buy my first volvo, I'm mechanically inclined. Its a 96 850 t5 turbo, $1500. The issues are, sunroof opens but hesitates when closing, odometer stopped working,says 171300 miles. Was told the timing chain was replaced recently. I've found all answers for the issues with the car right here which is a great help. Theres excessive brake dust on drivers side rim, it does need new shoes.Now this being my first volvo,what should i be looking for when purchasing it other then the obvious oil leaks and such.And is 1500 a good price,it is a nice car and drives great

 

If the timing belt (not chain) was changed, there will be a sticker on the engine recording it (sticker comes w/ timing belt).

 

can't find a sticker anywhere, only air filter change sticker, is there a way to tell if it has been changed other then sticker, I'm assuming belt is behind plastic cover on passenger side. I can open the top and see belt in there. Would there be a certain amount of play with it?

 

There is 1 bolt that holds that cover off. Yes it can be removed to see the belt. If the belt is new, it will NOT have any cracks in it and you should be able to read all of the part numbers, etc. on it. Try to ask for a t-belt receipt. Sometimes it is just as important to replace the tensioner and pulleys as it is the timing belt. A bad tensioner or pulley can reder that belt useless in less than 5,000 miles.

As for other things, not much to expect out of a $1,500 car. Here is a link from the Freq Used Threads: https://volvoforums.com/m_72405/tm.htm

 

In halfway decent shape it's worth $1500.

 

it looks great, from what i can see,needs back tires, passenger side mirror( just the mirror part) brake shoes and the odometer gear replaced as well as figure out how to get radio to work, i turn it on it just says OFF, so I need to fiddle with it, and when i close driver door something inside bangs between the door and liner thing. And lastly, the sunroof opens and closes without hesitation until it goes to close fully, whic I have to help by hand,I'm guessing theres an adjustment inside that i havent looked for. I hear the timing belt should be changed every 100k miles, so can I do this myself, is there a sticky on it?
Thank you for all your help, forums from actual drivers are a bible to me. Wealth of information and experience here.

 

discs all round on t5 only shoes are handbrake shoes which are inside the rear discs.
if you buy it do a full service and check for smoking dipstick as will need pcv doing and pipes replacing for the pcv breather system set up plus do a full stage 0 which includes replacing the vacuum pipes, plugs,filter's etc.

 

thanks, so used to drums on rear lol. The drivers side looks like black brake dust all around the rim

 

I probably have an extra passenger side glass if you want it, PM me.