Hi there,

You all seem like a friendly and helpful bunch so i have a few queries that i'd be greatful to get some advice on.

Well as the title states i'm looking at buying an 850 R. I know that such threads already exist (including inm8's in recent days - with which i share a similar situation) and i have found these to be helpful, however there are some fundemental differences with my situation... and besides i'm not a fan of high-jacking other people's threads.

So to the situation. I live in New Zealand and Rs are very rare down here. As far as i can find (on the net atleast), this is likely to be the only R for sale in the country at present. Also keep in mind that this will be my first car purchase ever, although i have been driving for several years. I understand that this can be an expensive car to own as i have read various buyers guides that warn of a plethora of different things that can go (expensively) wrong, but having found one with a very decent asking price i am extremely tempted.

Here is the particular car i am looking at:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=149915617

As you can see the asking price is NZ$5000, which equates to just under US$4000. The NZ dollar being unusually strong at the moment means that it would usually be closer to around US$3400. This seems incredibly cheap to me, and together with the fact that the car has been on the lot for almost three weeks makes me wonder if there is something massively wrong with it that i can't see. Problem is that the car is around 200kms away (essentially in the middle of no where) from where i live so just popping in to check it out is out of the question.

The dealer has given the car a light service (cambelt, oil and filters), but has "limited service records". He also claims "The car starts and drives well, The air conditioning is good and cool, all of the electrics work etc". That's a few hurdles out of the way at least. Typical of a salesman trying to make a sale they have not mentioned anything wrong with the car, but i am aware that i shouldn't think that "if they didn't mention anything wrong with the car it must be all fine!".

Are my worries about the auto gearbox justified? I have also been looking at Saab 9000 Aeros and have learnt that their auto 'boxes are quite troublesome and expensive at this sort of milage (200,000kms.. or 120,000mls).

Regarding the colour of the car.. it's not my first choice but that is beside the point.. was teal green a factory colour? Wikipedia states that the 850 R was produced only in red, black and white.

I will of course test drive the car before i dive in, and will try as best i can to get a mechanical inspection. I know of the basic things to keep an eye out for.. excessive smoke, fluid leaks, smoke from dipstick, warning lights, notchy gear changes etc, but in the mean time i'd like to draw on your wisdom..

On the surface, what do you think?

Many thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to the forum.

As far as the photos go, it seems to be in a decent condition. I'm not sure if the colour came like that from the factory (only for NZ/Australian market?) or the previous owner has repainted it. Either way it looks decent enough.

In NZ's limited market for Volvos, I would assume it is a rare buy, as you have already stated. If you can afford another NZD $2,000-$2,500 to make it in top-running condition, I would jump on it.

See following thread as to know what to expect for repair:
https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm

My 1st & 2nd replies cover approx 80% of what an 850 needs.

Buying OEM parts would probably be the most costly part for you due to the location. If you already have some tools and can do some work on your car, you can save a significant amount of $$$.

So, my verdict would be: I would buy it and go over the major components to determine what needs immediate care. As to the AW transmission, check the colour & condition of the fluid. It should be clear red and should not have burnt odor to it. It also must not have even a tiny piece of foreign object.

This is all I can tell you at the moment. I wonder what the alternatives are for buying a car in Australia and shipping it to NZ? We have a few great members from Australia, and they may be able to give you better answers than I possibly could. Also hear other members' opinions. Our members have great knowledge on the 850s.

Best of luck to you, and let us know how it goes.


JPN

 

I could not open the link to look at the car. It's blocked here where I work for some reason. I have never seen an 850 R in teal color here in the US. To make certain it is an R ask for the VIN. If the 6th and 7th position of the VIN is 58 it's an R. Then you need to try and find out did it come from the factory in teal or did somebody paint it that color. If it's the latter I would not buy it. Painting any car a different color than the factory color depreciates the value of the car significantly.

 

Thanks for all that info, JPN. Sourcing second hand parts locally may be possible as there are a number of turbo and non-turbo 850s around, but yes getting hold of OEM parts may be a hassle. As far as shipping from Australia goes i have considered that but have found that after shipping costs, taxes, registration, inspection etc it is probably only worth it if i find a killer deal or if you import something of greater value.

I have a decent knowledge of how cars work, but limited practical experience. One reason for getting this car is because i've been a car enthusiast for as long as i can remember and am keen to learn more through working on my own car, so i am motivated to do so. The more complex procedures i will probably get a mechanic to do, but simpler things i am confident about doing myself. I actually find working on my own car satisfyingly fun!


Thanks Jim. The colour looks as if it is that metallic teal green that you see on alot of standard 850s. I have done some research and found a press release kit from 1996 for the R which states that "turquoise" was a factory colour, so this'll be it. It must have been a Europe/Australia/NZ only thing. I'm pretty certain it is an R - leather/suede seats, full body kit, light wood dash etc. On that note, what sort of wood is that on the dash? Some sort of birch maybe? It's quite unique.

I'm going to make him an offer and say i'll take it dependant on inspection results, so i'll keep you posted on what happens.

Thank you both again for the helpful responses!

 

My experience with cars that have had a colour change from the original is in most cases due to an accident of some form.

You would be wise to take down the VIN. # and the code that is on the drivers door pillar andpost it so that we can help.If there is no code sticker on the door pillar then I feel very sure that the car has been repainted. You need to open the hood and boot (trunk) lid and check for differences. The colour of the car sould be the same, maybe not clear coated, but the same throughout the entire car from top to bottom.

I, too, agree with others that the R did not come in Teal???? and only three colours were offered from the factory.

I've got another page open now and I'm looking for the history of the R and when I find it, or any other information I will posta linkas I know how much can go wrong with a used car and I know how much it costs to repair my Volvo as the car checked out fine but things went to pot about six months after and man did it hurt the wallet [:@].

I'l spend the next hour or so looking for the info and WILL find and give you what ever I get.

These are really great cars but you need to be very carful because sometimes you can get a great deal but also more than you bargain for.

Really check this car out and post the #'s as I know that there is more help here than I can ever thank this forum for.

Back in abit.


[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Try this link as it seems that I have made a mistake on the colour choices and for this I do apologize. [sm=imsorry.gif]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_850

When you get there scroll down a bit and you will find some info on the choices available. It seems that the R did indeed come in this colour andthis colour is a very limited choice.

Still looking for more and will be back.

It is a great looking colour though.

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Thanks for that, Quick Brick. So i think we have ascertained that teal green was indeed a factory colour and yes i agree, it looks great.

Just to keep you up to date though.. it looks as if i may have missed out on this one. I had made an offer to the dealer which he declined, and while considering upping the offer, the listing had been withdrawn. Oh well, you snooze you loose! It's a bit of a shame but i think i would have been making compromises on my 'ideal volvo' (which would be a manual, and preferably black on black), so perhaps this was not the car for me. For now i'm happy to wait it out to get one i'm truely happy with.

Never the less thank you all for your extremely helpful and friendly responses. Who knows, i may well be back.. next time hopefully with a car!

 

Hey now,

Missed out, bummer [&o].

There is still hope that the ride you're looking for is out there. Just keep the faith andyour ride will arrive.

That colour was pretty sweet as I used to own an Acura Vigor GS http://www.cardomain.com/ride/1717298with Sherwood Metallic paint from the factory that everyone kept asking me about. They thought that I or the previous owner had the car redone and when they found out that it was born that way they would just say that it was sweet. I miss that car but not really now that gas prices here in Canada have hit $1.30 for premium which is what the car required [:@].

The black on black is a fine choice andthe continous dusting would just show that you are dedicated to your car. Pride In Your Ride.

Keep looking and let me know when you find what your looking for as I'm so sold on the Volvo line and other than the expence of some of the repairs I kind of wonder why I didn't buy one sooner. The lines of the newer model v70 have me wondering when I'll get my next "new to me" Estate. I like the four door but the Estate just seems to fit me better. Can you say "Sleeper" or "Anti-ticket Machine"

Let me know when and what you find.

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Yes, take the time and the right one will show up. We'll be here when you find the next possible candidate.


JPN

 

Bad luck mate. Not that it's relevant now, but I spotted a 850 R automatic for sale on eBay Australia last month which was exactly the same colour as that other one you were looking at. If it wasn't automatic, I would have bought it in a flash for the advertised 8k AUD. I think it's a very nice colour personally, although the 850 looks great in many colours, yellow, white, red and black (my favourite) notably. Must just be the good looks of the car I think

If it sold, that one you linked to sure went for a great price. It makes me wonder why they have held their value so well in Australia! The best thing to do is to have patience and keep an eye out for your dream 850 configuration to show up, and I know that is much easier said than done, but it's worth it

 

Personally I think teal is a fine color for girls. But then again I don't like green cars in general, any shade of green. I don't care for most shades of blue either, but there is a blue that comes on newer Volvos that I like quite a bit. I have to admit I like Red the best though. I got the yellow just because it's so rare and hard to find, but to be honest I like the color of my white one better. I like some cars in black, but have never owned a black car andif I ever do it will be a smaller car.

 

Rs in general seem to be cheaper over here than they do there, and i'm not entirely sure why. The only reason i could think of is that the market for the R inparticular is so much smaller in NZ. I see you have the same problem of auto 'box over-saturation there too. New Zealanders are terrible when it comes to gearbox preference. Of the 350 Volvos for sale on Trademe, literally 5 or 6 are proper manuals. That's only going to make my waiting game even longer, but i'm confident that it'll be worth it in the end!

 

Hi there again!

Well it's been about a year, but another R has come along. I wasn't sure whether i should start a new thread or revive this dead one, but either way, the title is still apt. This time i'm looking at a white '97 850R with around 120,000 miles. I have been to inspect the car and taken it for a spin, and i have a question or two i'd like to ask you wiser folk.

1) Perhaps my biggest concern was the auto 'box. Predominantly it felt pretty smooth and responsive, but at certain (lighter) throttle pressures, there is a bit of a jolt between lower gears. Nothing uncomfortable, but definitely noticable. I know that this is a tell-tale sign of wear, and at this sort of milage a poorly looked after 'box will probably soon need a rebuild. The seller claimed that the transmission was "just due for a service". Speak of which, although there were no written records, he said the car had been serviced regularly. He also tried to justify it by explaining that the car had been sitting without use for a while, so perhaps a bit of sediment had settled, and it just needed a bit of use to re-lubricate everything. Unfortunately i didn't get a chance to check the transmission fluid. So is it likely that it will soon cost me a lot of money, or does it indeed just need a service/flush?

2) The clearcoat was pretty shot. It was starting to peel on a lot of the upper part of the car. I know that this is a very common problem, but the owner has had the car for around 8 months and lives close to the sea, so salt corrosion could have been a factor.. there is a bit of surface corrosion around some of the small metal parts of the body too, like the wheel studs and exhaust tip. These could probably be tidied up reasonably easily, but what about the paint? Would it require a complete re-spray, or would a simple cut & polish help protect it? Also, should i worry about what else may have corroded?

3) After finding the A/C wasn't blowing very cold, the seller told me that he didn't use it at all, and it probably just needs a re-gas. After having a good poke around under the hood i noticed that there were two black pipes that enter the cabin through the firewall behind the engine (from memory, near the centre of the car), which i assumed were for the A/C. The connectors on them looked a little corroded, so if these are indeed part of the A/C system they would probably have to be replaced before a re-gas anyway. But might this point to more corrosion in the system, meaning an overhaul of the A/C? Personally i can live without A/C, but if left it is obviously going to take away from the value of the car whenever i decide to sell.

4) Perhaps the most minor problem, but while driving the dash/console in general seems to creak a bit. Is solving this just a matter of tightening a few things up, or is it just part and parcel of owning an older car?

There is a chance that i can get the car for a very good price, so a few problems i can accept and am happy to sort out, but i don't want to be buying a money pit. Obviously i have been looking for an R for a while now and i have done a fair deal of research, but i'd be greatful for any advice i can get on any of these issues.

Many thanks in advance! I will most definitely keep you updated on the situation!