Hi, I am new the the forum and want to own a Volvo Wagon as my next car. I was close to buying on 3 years ago and settled for a Ford Taurus Wagon. What a nightmare! I am currently shopping for a 93-97 wagon. I have found a 850 GLT in super clean condition for an amazingly low price. The car is a one owner with 217,000 miles. It has been serviced at the dealership and obviously had wonderful care. It's maintenance record is superb. Is this car a good bet?

 

I am different than most folks. I enjoy driving cars with high mileage.

As long as you keep enough money in your savings account to replace steering components, minor suspension concerns, and brake calipers/rotors -- as they eventually wear out along the way -- why not?

As long as you are able to perform simple repairs -- such as removing corrosion from electrical grounds -- why not?

If your steering wheel vibrates, while applying your brakes, have your mechanic determine whether it is a problem with brake rotors and/or tie-rods and ball joints. Replace tie-rods and ball joints immediately whenever you notice a problem.

As long as you have a reliable engine, you have a reliable car. As long as you know the car's maintanence history, you have a reliable car.

I would pay for a mechanic to perform a cooling system pressure leak-down test -- insure that there is no problem with head gasket and/or radiator and heater hoses.

I would pay for a mechanic to perform an engine compression test -- dry test to insure that there is no problem with bent intake or exhaust valves -- and wet test (adding a small amount of oil to each cylinder) to insure that there is no problem with piston rings.

I would pay for a mechanic to perform fuel pressure test -- to insure that there is no problem with fuel filters, fuel pressure regulator, and/or fuel pump.

If your GLT wagon is a 1997, then you will have a turbo -- VIN engine code 56 -- which makes the car a little more fun to drive.

 

Well, thank you Robert. I really appreciate the tests you prescribed. I planned on taking it to a mechanic Saturday. Should it be a Volvo mechanic or simply a trusted mechanic who works on Volvo's?

 

I would have it looked at by somebody who knows Volvos. I would also talk to the people that have serviced it up til now. They will know the car if it has that many miles on it. Also, what has already been replaced? A car with 217,000 should be fairly inexpensive to buy. Like Robert said, you need be willing to spend some money maintaining it though. You hear stories of them lasting well past 300K all the time. My engine went at 206,000 on my 94 Turbo. That is not the norm by any means. I did not spend the money to find out what went wrong. The independent Volvo mechanic that worked on it gave me $800 for it as salvage which I thought was a pretty good price. Look at what others are selling for and make sure you are really getting the best deal. That is quite a few miles, but if has been maintained properly, and the price is right go for it.

 

Yes make sure you have it looked at by someone that knows Volvo's.