I am looking at a 96 850 GLT. 164M miles. Body is in decent shape, no dents but plenty of little scratches, etc. The car was wrecked at some point and not repaired properly as the trunk doesn't align properly, big gap on one side and rubs in one corner on the other.

Interior is really nice. Runs great. Concern is that it pull hard unpredictably under hard breaking. Particulary, say going down a freeway exit ramp feels like the car wants to go the opposite direction that I am steering. Maybe even dives a little. Sometimes goes left, sometimes right.

Seller wants $3200.

Timiing belt changed at 140k, seller indicates there is an air con leak requiring annual recharge.

Seller indicates that the pulling problem is due to ball joint bushings. Is it likely that new ball joints would correct this handling problem? Is this the way it would handle with worn ball joints?

 

Walk away. That is three times what a similar car can be bought for in that condition.

...Lee

 

+1......

Your could dig a money pit buying something with that many problems and so much of mental frustration for the never-ending problems that can come.

just an advice,
Harry

 

Heck my daughter just got $1800 for a 95 850 Turbo in fairly decent shape. Her and her husband got that on a trade. There were a few things wrong with it which makes me reluctant to sell outright, but sounds like it was much better shape than that one and it was a Turbo wagon.

 

Yeah, I thought so too. After I test drove it I told him that if it was a $400 ball joint problem that he should fix it before trying to sell, because it seems like a much bigger than $400 problem.

Just thought I would get some other opinions. It is hard to find a decent car for under $4000 around here - it can be done but takes patience and time/work.