Hello,

Not sure where else to post this question:

So been looking at used Volvo Wagons on Craigslist, never owned one and don't know much about them.

Between the following Wagons, which would you chose and why?

Reliability, ease of maintenance (preferably by me), history of least amount of problems especially large ones like transmission and engine, cost to operate,...etc. are the major factors for me.

All have Auto transmission unless mentioned otherwise. All else being equal my preference is a Stick **** (don't like automatics).

Here you go:

1- 1998 Volvo 850, 200k miles - $850
Owner says it is clean, runs well, registered,...etc. looks good in the photos.

2- 5 Speed/Manual 1987 Volvo 240 DL Wagon w/ 3rd Row Seats MAKE ME AN OFFER!! - $2750

No mileage listed but has extensive service records, looks good.

3- 1998 Volvo 70 Wagon ! - $1599
161K miles. He did $2K or maintenance 6 months ago. Says steering fluid is leaking and he is driving it without any fluid/dry and it works for him. My concern is he might be damaging the steering pump.?? Clean otherwise.

4- 1985 volvo240dl wagon - $1325
Has only 80K miles. Been in storage. Has Salvaged title from previous owner. Looks clean in photos.

Talked to him on the phone, he says it starts right up. Engine bay looks clean too. He will take $1250

5- Manual Transmission Volvo station wagon, 1994 - $1600
133K miles, he says odometer stopped working few yrs ago but has been driven lightly. Has carfax report.
Has a dint near driver's side door which doesn't effect functionality of door.

6- 1999 Volvo V70 GLT Wagon - $1500
new TPS sensor, fuel pump and fuel injection system. 214k miles. Registered through March 2017

7-1996 850 GLT vovlo one owner 67k miles - $1888
automatic very clean smogged, new registration . wagon, blue 67 k miles, no scratches, dents, or blemishes. paint not faded . carfax available to see

This one has no photos but I am waiting for him to send me the photos. Spoke with him last night, he said he is a dealer & this is a one owner car.


So I have not gone to see any of these cars as I am overwhelmed and can't decide...obviously I can't go see them all as they are spread out allover the place....as far away as 50 miles from me.

Thoughts, inside information, advise please??

Thank you all.

 

where are you located? First thing I noticed is the '98 850 - this year never came to the US so either the year is wrong or its a Canadian import... Car #3 - probably needs a new steering rack or seals plus maybe a pump. Unless you can do the work yourself, best to shop the repair cost to factor into the true price... #5 - is this also an 850? There is a way to pull the true mileage from the OBD1 LED under the hood for the 94/95 850s. Fixing the odometer is pretty straight forward - there's a small nylon gear that needs to be replaced. #7 - low mileage doesn't mean no work required... I'd value it more on the clean body/clean interior. For all of these cars best to see if they have a maintenance history - things like timing belt and PCV oil traps are typical maintenance items that if due can take $500-600 onto the cost basis in a hurry. You're still looking at 20 year old cars here so if you can do maintenance yourself they can all last 250K or more miles but will need parts from time to time.

 

I am in California and thus my name "In california" :-)

I can do maintenance but not rebuilding an engine...etc.

Ok, so out of these cars as they are represented....which would be a better choice ?

As I really don't know much about Volvos, can't really tell these cars apart (aside from the slight difference in appearance)....is there one model more reliable than the rest ?

Is stick shift (which I prefer) better than automatic on these cars? More reliable ?

Also add this other car to the mix:

95 Volvo 850 Wagon - $650

276K manual transmission. Car looks great in photos. This is what the owner says:

"Yes it did overheat one time, we got it off the hiway and shut it down, checked all fluids, topped off reservoir tank (coolant) and waited approximately 1hour. I believe this incident is when the head gasket popped. That was on a trip to San Jose, however on the trip back to Monterey it did not overheat, and it hasn't over heated since (multiple trips between monterey and salinas since then.

I have not had the timing belt or clutch replaced.

The only service records I have are for the work I've had done since purchase (axles -left and right fronts, cam position sensor, tune up, brakes/rotors).

It runs and drives great, I'm pretty confident I can get to San Jose or Santa Cruz without overheating as it currently sits.

I have driven the car off and on for the last year.

The mechanic has only said head gasket, I can give you his info."

I do know a head gasket is expensive. Now my question is: Do these Sealants like K-Seal work and do they seal the leak in a head gasket or is this something that has to be fixed the traditional way and if so, would this car be worth spending (maybe $1000 on labor) to fix it?

Really appreciate the help.

Thanks.

 

If you were to take a budget of say $2000, I'd be leaning towards #5 or #7. If you feel you are up to replacing the steering rack and pump for #3 budget $250 for a rebuilt rack and $500 for the labor (shop time should be the 5 hour range). you'd need to drop the sub frame if you plan on doing it yourself. Used power steering pumps should be easy to find.