So I've been waiting for some older volvos to hit my market here, and this week, two did! Both for $1,000.

One is a '94 850 (turbo he said, if i remember right). The odometer stopped at 153k 2yrs ago, but estimated to be at around 200k. The guy said it runs perfectly. New tires and new brakes. Going tomorrow evening to check it out in person.

The other is a '97 850 wagon with 153k on it. Ad says "CV will need to be replaced eventually" and the AC doesn't blow cold when at a standstill, but when driving, it's cold? Other than that, he says it "runs great". Obviously though, talk is cheap.

I'm checking both out tomorrow. Any one I should be already leaning towards, for $1,000? Any advice/tips on what I should be on the look out for when checking these cars out tomorrow?

I had a '91 740 years ago, for years, loved it, and swore I'd buy another older volvo one day. Is this my chance for a good find?

Thanks for your time folks.

 

is the 97 a turbo?if not id lean towards the 94 but thats me

 

Turbo, if the car is going to be old, it should be at least fun...

 

this may seem like a hijack but my question will help the OP too

im going to look at a 97 850 (turbo) today and the odometer stopped working at 105K miles...the guy claims its got ~150K on it now

does this model/yr have the diagnostic port under the hood so the mileage can be verified? i figure if it does the OP should do it also since the odometer breaking is so common. and also whats the procedure to check for the real mileage

 

nope. i think the stealer can tell you though.

I looked at a '95 in June that had 112,xxx on the clock. When I checked it, the car had more than 226,xxx on it. LOL, funny.

 

94 has a great advantage over the 97 -- diagnostic box under the hood. Dealer can read 96 and 97s. However, the box is used for many other things. Another thing -- In NY State for example, emissions inspection is a lot more lenient with a pre-1996 car.

Another advantage 94s and 95s have is the ABS computer. 96s and 97s have the problem with cracked solder points, which not only affect ABS, but also the speedometer as well.

If you are into ECU reading in real-time, 94s and 95s have an OBD2 port too.

 

I don't think so, obd port is under the coin holder on post 96 models (but is not true obd2

 

My '95 has both and so does the '94 turbo's. What do you mean it's not a true OBD-II?

 

yea i called the dealer and they said they could...thats what im worried about guy claims 105K but could be 205K haha

 

also i should add that the dealer said they would charge 62$ just to pull up the mileage with their scanner...

 

I second Henry 10, here in NY, my 95 is lights, tires, horn, thanks for the sticker! a 96 and up, they have to plug in and look for codes. D