I need the opinions of you good folks on this one ...

I just checked out a 95 860 GLT wagon, red, leather, SIPS, sunroof, 160000miles, and found (or the mechanic found) these problems

Needs timing belt & tensioner, right front CV & axle, rear main seal leaks slowly, AC compressor noisy & pulley is red from heat, drivers seat back won't adjust, rear wiper makes a knocking noise, leather in front is cracked & some small tears, tailgate shocks are shot. And Check Engine light stays on, mechanic didn't see the cause (I've read the codes, but haven't gone any farther).

Otherwise, it runs great & looks pretty good. Engine sounds perfect, no rust, etc. Odometer quit several years ago, but I know the milage is in the computer. AC works great, all power accessories work. Previous owner, 2d owner, lives here & appears to have been careful in caring for the car since he bought it in 2000.

Asking price (from small dealer) is $2000. I could do the timing belt, wiper & tailgate work myself but the other stuff will have to go to the mechanic.

So ... what do you think it's worth as desribed? Or should I keep looking? In this part of the country, Volvos are very scarce. My first choice would be a late 940 or 960 wagon.

Much obliged for your attention.

 

I would search further and try to find a better turbo model. If the previous owners did take good care, those problems shouldn't be there. The repair cost, for parts alone, can shoot past $500 mark.

This is solely my opinion, though. Either JimKW, Moderator Tech, Ozark Lee or Eric J could give you the most accurate opinion, but other regular members are just as good.

Good luck,


JPN

 

What's your location?

And I would pass.

 

Thanks for the quick responses.

Red - I'm in south central Georgia, 50 miles from any good-size city, no Volvo dealer within 50 miles.
Due to the scarcity of choices in Volvo wagons around here, I'm kinda in a "bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush" situation.
I have feelers out with all the local new & used dealers, no luck so far. Even contacted Dan the Volvo Man in Tallahassee.

I actually chased down one 940 wagon that I passed on the street & asked if they were thinking about selling .....

 

For the condition you describe the car in I think $2,000 is a tad, actually more than a tad,high.

The first item of real concern is that I would guess it is at least 20,000 miles beyond its timing belt change interval if the 160,000 miles is accurate. The timing belts need to be changed every 70,000 miles. On every other timing belt change it is customary to change not only the belt and the tensioner but also the tensioner roller and the idler roller. Just for fun I also change the water pump at that interval. Look around on the timing belt cover or the ECU box for a sticker that says Byte Exchange and see when the last belt went in.

The RMS is a big job, a $15.00 part but at least high 3 figures in labor. I guess it depends on how much it leaks - A quart every 3,000 miles I would leave it alone for now but at anythingmore than a quart every 1000 miles it needs to addressed promptly. A leaking RMS is usually a result of a clogged PCV system. The parts to redo the PCV run around $150.00 and for a decent shade tree mechanic it will take you pretty much a full day the first time around, particularly if the car has EGR.

The A/C compressor, even used, is expensive but the biggest A/C problems on these cars is the evaporator core. To change the evaporator the entire dash must be removed from the car.

The seat back cable is not that big a deal and if you are comfortable doing the timing belt you should be able to fix it yourself. As far as the seat covers go that is your call, my 1994 has the beige interior with leather and the seats have small cracks but no holes or tears. I figure it gives it character.

Fixing the odometer is notthat bigof a deal either but the new gears will run $50.00 plus freight.

I bought my son a 1996 with 130k on the clock that was similar in condition for $480.00 off of eBay and then it took another $350.00 or so in gasoline and trailer rental to go from Kansas City to Chicago to pick it up and drag it home. His car is a sedan and the wagons go fora premium, particularly if they have the third seat.

These cars, after the maintenance issues are dealt with, are very reliable, very safe, and a heck of a lot of fun to drive. If you are not prepared to do the bulk of the maintenance yourself they are also very, very expensive to repair and maintain.

The neat thing is that there a number of good forums with a lot of very well documented repair procedures to help you with the standard repairs.The same dang things go wrong with all of them so there is a well documented writeup that addresses how to fixvirtually everyproblem on one board or another.

I am going to guess that the 940 / 960 cars are easier to work on being rear wheel drive. I had a couple of 740s and there was very little that was difficultto deal with on them. I could have a clutch changed out within acouple ofhours on the 740s. I don't know what set of quirky problems the 940s have but no doubt there are some.

...Lee

 

Nice post by OzLee...I totally agree...pass this one and look for another with WAY less expensive problems!

 

Sorry to say. but in less you are madly in love with it or desire a long term project car I too would pass. At the very least I would offer no more than 750 -900 dollars for it

 

Hey now,

Considering that it's going to cost at least the asking price in repairs to make it right I would find another as this one is a definate "pass".

There are a lot of great cars available with less of an output of cash needed to enjoy.

Don't worry(be happy), you'll find your Brick [sm=smiley20.gif].


[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

You folks are the best.
If the rear main wasn't an issue, I might make an offer on the car ... but you've given me good reasons to pass on it.
Is it true that the turbo 850 does not suffer as many crankcase-ventilation-related problems? No flame trap?

Thanks again for your time and insights. The search continues ..... geography is playing against me, but who knows ...

 

Hey now,

You made the right choice [sm=shades.gif].

Before you know it, you'll be riding in style.


[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Good choice.

 

>Is it true that the turbo 850 does not suffer as many crankcase-ventilation-related problems? >No flame trap?

No, it is not true. 850s do have PCV system that is often neglected, resulting in an increase in the crankcase pressure, which in turn cause oil to leak out from every seal/connection. Whichever the model you buy, I would go after all service records and if the PCV components have never been done, I would replace it as a kit.

When you find the next candidate, I would have it inspectedby an ASE-Certified Master Technician either at a dealer or an independent shop that specialises in Swedish/Euro models. I would also do a visual inspection/walk-around andtest drive it.

My 1st & 2nd replies in the following thread may give you some ideas as to what needs servicing in common:

https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm


JPN