Have a '03 S60 on hold that has @54k on it. Price negotiated to $12,500. They say they can certify it for another $1500.

Is the $1,500 to cert a good price?

http://winchester.donbeyervolvo.com/...p;FilterMake=0

 

Sounds like a lot of money for an '03 S60. Look at the link below for example. Volvo '04 S60 with less mileage for less money. Do some more research.You are paying a big premium to buy from a dealer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/04-AS...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Check the NADA or Kelley Blue Book web sites. NADA says $12,225 for clean trade and $14,600 clean retail. Find out what certified includes. If it will save you $1500 or more down the road then it would be OK. Otherwise decline.

 

I know your question was if the $1500 was a fair price for extended warranty. I think it's pretty average if not a little high. Depends on what is covered and the underwriter.

I know of a non turbo NA (what you are negotiating on) with 49K and it's an 04 and it's $12000 on ebay.

The dealer bought the one you are negotiating on for about $10,000. You go from there.

 

If it is going to be Volvo certified for another 4 years, it is a good deal. If it is any type of extended warranty other than Volvo, I would walk. They are utterly worthless. 12.5K is not bad for the Volvo in my opinion, especially from the dealer. In my experience Kelly Bluebook and other publications are just guides to the general public. That is why the prices are so volatile for these cars. I have an 01 S60 2.4T so from KBB it will be 5.6K to Edmunds 9.1K to trade it in. Who do you believe? None of them of course. I sold a 01.5 Audi S4 this September with 50K miles. It was cherry and KBB said at least 15K. Well, CarMax offered 10K, and I was able to sell it for 12.5K on my own. The only factual data behind used car prices are the Mannheim auctions and the public doesn't have access to that info.

 

I bought an '03 S60 2.5T with 80K (highway driven) Miles on it a year ago for about $12K, but it included a factory extended warranty that was transferred over to me from the original owner, until 100K miles. I know the extended warranty cost the orginal owner about $2800CAD. I've already had it pay out more than that to cover repairs. This comprehensive warranty covers almost everything except standard wear and tear, so from my experience if you can get a comprehensive warranty, go for it. Most of the problems have surrounded the power stearing, with first the power stearing reservoir and then the pump being replaced, plus some suspension parts thrown in. Otherwise the '03 S60 is excellent and reliable. I even took it down to route 129 / Tail of the Dragon, which as far as I know is the nicest driving road in North America. It handled really well, when pushed in the twisties.

Joe