How in the world did you get that car from a dealer for $800???

Did you get the mirror glass yet? I might have one you can have if you need it. It's only the glass.

 

Car was posted as $ 1,100. I am not sure if people ever look for a V90. Besides this (Used Car) dealer was very hard to get a hold of. I am sure he lost some people that way.

In Jan / snow, I have seen crazier things happen. Especially before big snow-storms.

I ordered the mirror glass from eBay. Don't have it yet. Thanks for offering though.

I got no service records, no books, nothing. I have the contact info for the previous owner and I will call him. I checked with Volvo dealer-- no open recalls.

It needs a new battery. I drove it 200 miles highway and some running around, it runs fine. One of the power steering hoses is leaking very slow. The top radiator hose needs replacing. I want to do the T belt etc. before I take out again. Interior is actually in better condition than my 850. The weather has been brutal here though.

 

V90:

The place we bought our saab had a GORGEOUS V90....

http://www.roadtripcarolinas.com/web...lle-SC/673245/

Seemed a bit overpriced to me, but it was an EXTREMELY clean car. This guy gets all sorts of really nice stuff in. By the way, when he says "heavy service documentation" he means it. he was showing me the paperwork on that car. 3 ring binder with everything down to oil changes, as well as a log of when gas was put in, how much gas was put in, and mileage on previous tank.

 

That V90 is very nice. I keep records of everything myself, and I understand how helpful they are in knowing your car.

I preferred to get another 1995 850 Turbo, but when I saw the V90, I felt I could not turn it down. Besides, I had taken the day off and I wanted to buy something and be done with it that day.

I have said it before -- you do get great deals on Volvos in New England. Since rust does not seem to be a big problem on Volvos, it's a good place to shop if you can get there.

I am not thrilled with the black color -- I think my car will look funny -- black shiny, formal wagon, with 4-bike rack on top and 2 luggage boxes on the hitch.

I will take some photos next weekend and post them.

 

Let me give you another example -- the same day I bought the V90, I was in fact more excited I had gotten into a nice deal for a 1999 Audi A6 Quattro Wagon in Martha's Vineyard for $ 850 http://capecod.craigslist.org/cto/2159860951.html.

I went to Martha's Vineyard and checked out the car with the owner and the mechanic the car was in. Although the owner said "it needs $ 2000 of work done", it needed a Mass Air Flow Sensor ($ 30 at junkyards, VW MAF works too), and 2 catalytic converters. You could put generic ones on that 2.8L engine ($ 70 each). The mechanic told me that in one of the 2 exhaust manifolds, 1 bolt had snapped and it was very difficult to get to. The cats had been cut away, but the car wasn't working right due to the MAF.

I decided to get the V90 which looked like a much better deal to me that day. One criterion I used -- I was able to drive it away 200 miles.

 

Now that I am thinking and writing about this (not in that particular order) I would consider trading my V90 for an 850 wagon, with anyone in this forum. I paid taxes and registered the car 2 weeks ago, and I should be getting the Title from DMV any day now.

When I get the Title and photos taken I may possibly post in the "classifieds" section.

Just an idea.

 

Henry; If you need them, here are my 960 timing belt instructions: http://www.atthetipwebs.com/technolo...iming_belt.htm

 

Put about 5,000 miles on the car and let me know if you fell the same way. Those are truely two different cars, but having read your entire thread, I think at the end of the 5k you will have a hard time dumping the V90. I'm just saying, I love my 850 but drive my 960 more.

 

Thanks. I had already read them and had them bookmarked. Not to blow smoke up you a$$, but I thought they were the best instructions I found (incl Brickboard, Sweedspeed).

 

I hear you -- but I got 2 problems with the V90 -- I don't like the way it looks, and # 2- I can use my current 850 as a donor before I call the wrecker.

If Boxpin for example, wants to drive from California to NY and trade, could I say no? LOL

 

Heck, there is a Black T-5R wagon located in Eastern PA that has all of those mods and maybe a little more. But if my memory serves me, you were considering getting a non-turbo, surely you don't want a modded car.

I hate to say it but the 900 series cars don't need a donor. LOL

 

I think he wants $ 6,900 for it? I am sorry but my $ odomoter has only room for 3 digits, LOL.

I just want to get through Stage 0 and 1 ASAP, so I can start some meaningful upgrades.

Non-turbo sounded nice, but I think I was convinced that Turbo is the way to go, at least for engine durability alone.

I agree though, the 900 was Volvo's flagship. Maybe I am out of my senses to even think about a trade.

 

Not really. Shounds like you just got so attached to the 850 you hate to let it go. I can understand that. I really like our S70 but was glad to give it back to my daughter and drive my 960 again. Other than suspension, not sure what kind of upgrades you can do to the 960 unless you are considering going crazy and adding a turbo or something.

Did you see the video that David Letterman did on his V90? I think I posted a link in the Sight and Sound section.

 

I searched that forum and Youtube for Letterman's V90 and did not get any results. V90's ride/driveability reminds me of my old 240 tank, which is a good feeling to be sure. That 240 put up with a lot of abuse, and it had an interesting feature -- there were no surprises, it always let you know in advance if something was breaking.

 

Here is the video. Go to 3:45.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCO22jxMrrQ

 

That's very funny, 170 mph station wagon!!! LOL

 

Winter is almost over. Although injured, the car has been serving faithfully after the accident. Has been good going over ice packs trying to get to a parking spot in NYC.

Exhaust's flex pipe finally disconnected from the flange at the turbo. Already installed a temp flex. I think the accident had something to do with it, along with busting rubber donuts on ice.

I will be trying to sell the car in whole, but if not will junk it. I will be posting some accessories on the For Sale section, such as the Dog Guard, maybe roof rails, etc.

 

Posted this in the For Sale section, and NYC Craigslist for $ 500 1995 Volvo 850 Turbo Wagon. Maybe 30 inquiries in 24-hours. Maybe I am just stupid for selling it this low. I think it will be sold today.

 

Car was sold today at asking price ($ 500). I could have gotten more, it actually got a little annoying with some many people calling / emailing, texting, LOL.

Bought at $ 800 nine months ago, spent maybe $ 1,500 to $ 2000 on various repairs, maintenance, small upgrades, sold for $ 500 after crashing it (plus $ 200 for rims+tires).

Thanks to everyone that helped with this process.

 

Glad you got it sold. Now put 10,000 miles on the 960 and let us know what you think about it.