Buying advice? 94 w/ 180K, 5spd, some issues...
#1
Buying advice? 94 w/ 180K, 5spd, some issues...
Having never before considered a Volvo, I found one for a decent price and I'm definitely giving it new thought. I'm looking at a 1994 850 with about 180k miles. It's a 5-speed standard sedan, non-turbo, in (mechanically) decent condition. After taking it for a drive and looking it over, here's what I've noticed:
- Heater: only works at speed 4, makes HORRIBLE spinning/knocking/grinding noise, sounds like the motor/fan assembly is way out of whack, however it does produce heat just fine
- Hood: latch seems to be broken? There's a little hook sticking out of the grille that the owner uses to pull it open... seems odd, but it works
- Driver's side mirror: broken; casing is there but lens is falling out, duct-taped at the moment =P
- Headlights: one seems temperamental, sometimes works, sometimes doesn't; probably needs a new bulb, or is it something worse? is it hard to work on?
Here's the listing: http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/1552339124.html
So, of the problems I've noted, what are your thoughts? Worth fixing? About how much might parts cost? Is the heater a DIY job? I'm not a mechanic, but I'm no stranger to the underside of a dash.
After the drive, I noted two things: it handles beautifully, and it's one of the most comfortable cars I've driven. The guy is willing to take $1100 or so for it, but repairs (heater is most important at the moment) can't go much higher than $4-500 on my budget. What do you all think?
- Heater: only works at speed 4, makes HORRIBLE spinning/knocking/grinding noise, sounds like the motor/fan assembly is way out of whack, however it does produce heat just fine
- Hood: latch seems to be broken? There's a little hook sticking out of the grille that the owner uses to pull it open... seems odd, but it works
- Driver's side mirror: broken; casing is there but lens is falling out, duct-taped at the moment =P
- Headlights: one seems temperamental, sometimes works, sometimes doesn't; probably needs a new bulb, or is it something worse? is it hard to work on?
Here's the listing: http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/1552339124.html
So, of the problems I've noted, what are your thoughts? Worth fixing? About how much might parts cost? Is the heater a DIY job? I'm not a mechanic, but I'm no stranger to the underside of a dash.
After the drive, I noted two things: it handles beautifully, and it's one of the most comfortable cars I've driven. The guy is willing to take $1100 or so for it, but repairs (heater is most important at the moment) can't go much higher than $4-500 on my budget. What do you all think?
#2
#3
The hood latch costs less than $10 and you can replace it in under 2 minutes.
The headlight...it might be a loose connection. When I changed the bulbs on my '94, one of the wire plugs literally disintegrated in my hands.
Other things that you need to consider/check:
- check the engine number, or the manufacture date of the car - you really want it to be past April 1994, because the models prior to it use the 93 hardware which is a bit quirky.
- timing belt - when was it done?
- PCV system - ask the owner, and also pull out the dipstick - is there smoke?
- check for leaks, if it has a leaking rear main seal, you can easily spot it. just drive the car for 15 minutes park it and look under it after a few minutes.
- check the seat recliner - it is common for the cable to break and the seat stops reclining. Not a deal breaker though...
Good luck!
The headlight...it might be a loose connection. When I changed the bulbs on my '94, one of the wire plugs literally disintegrated in my hands.
Other things that you need to consider/check:
- check the engine number, or the manufacture date of the car - you really want it to be past April 1994, because the models prior to it use the 93 hardware which is a bit quirky.
- timing belt - when was it done?
- PCV system - ask the owner, and also pull out the dipstick - is there smoke?
- check for leaks, if it has a leaking rear main seal, you can easily spot it. just drive the car for 15 minutes park it and look under it after a few minutes.
- check the seat recliner - it is common for the cable to break and the seat stops reclining. Not a deal breaker though...
Good luck!
#4
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