I really, really want this car because my 1996 960 is getting to expensive to maintain (205,000). My employer is lending me the money but because I am a woman she is afraid I will get screwed. Can you look at this and tell me what you think? The car fax report is free, it is a 1 owner car. It is on cars.com the link is below if you can copy and paste it. Or maybe you can search for 1998 Volvo S70 GLT - $3,999 Auto Park dealer in Illinois. I know it is a lot to ask but I think it is a good car.

1998 Volvo S70 GLT, $3,999 - Cars.com

 

As far as Blue Book value, they are right on the money. That is very low miles for that car. For sure. Mine has almost 250,000 miles and she's still going strong for the most part. I guess something to consider, the car is 15 years old now. Even at low miles, parts start to degrade, rubber hoses get brittle, things start to go.

As with any purchase, have an independent mechanic do a look over. Have them put it on a lift. Things to check.

CV Boots, Tie Rods, Timing Belt, Drive Belt, excessive oil leakage around PCV system. If everything checks out, with little to no maintenance needing to be done. Haggle them to $3,500 and I think you'll have a great ride for years to come.

 

Hi, thanks for the info. How long would it take for leaks to show up on the PCV system? It is 100 miles from where I am, how long of a test drive would I need? Thanks

 

For the PCV system, look for oil coming out near the oil filler cap, if there is just a small amount, it's probably the seal on the oil cap, no big deal. If there is a more substantial amount, might be a cause for concern. At these low of miles, it's probably not clogged, but even if it is. It's not the end of world for sure. A bit of work, but the parts are not that pricey.

This video shows a typical symptom of a clogged PCV system
MVI_5113.AVI - YouTube

 

What is wring with your 960? That is a much better car than the S70 hands down.

 

Here is the deal, I have owned 960's and 850/S70's, and the 850's and S70 need way more maintenance and repairs than any of my 960's ever did. The 70 series cars are very comfortable and fun to drive, especially the turbo models. But as 850s70 has said, the age alone is causing these cars to need maintenance and repairs.

My daughter's S70 has been a pleasure for us to own, however, in the 4-1/2 years we have owned it, I have done about $7,500 worth of repairs on it. Yes that is about $140 per month on maintenance and repairs. The car looked to be in great condition when we purchased it with what the clock said was 83,000 miles. It actually had about 130,000 on it. It still looked good and drove well. These P80 cars just need constant work compared to the 900 series cars.

I actually have a YouTube channel dedicated to repairs on these cars with over 200 video's on it. From one thing to the next. Last month I replaced a motor mount, this month a turbo outlet hose. Now my strut mounts are going out, the next month it will be something else. EVERY MONTH IT IS SOMETHING.

If you are handy, it's a whole different story. You can purchase the car and fix things every month no problem. If I purchased all of my parts new, I would likely spend about $70 per month on parts from after market sources like FCP Euro. Then, if you look at the newer Volvo's, the ones built after 2,000, you will be looking at $200 per month to keep it up.

I'd be glad to answer any questions you would have about these cars. Heck, you can call me if you'd like. There is another thread going on about a guy that purchased a car for about that price which looked good. Had the car checked out by a Volvo dealer and they told him that it needed about $1,400 worth of work. He got the car and his local mechanic revealed that it actually needs about $6,000 worth of work just to be made SAFE TO DRIVE.

If you are not scared yet, feel free to proceed. Here are a couple of video's that you can watch to help you with your purchase decision.



I just told my wife that you were thinking about buying a S70 GLT. She said if you are single, it would not be a bad deal, because it's a great way to meet guys (trying to find help to get the car fixed).

 

Oh, as for the 960... That car should go 350,000 miles without much effort. Have the breather system replaced/cleaned/serviced, have the motor oil change regularly (I used full synthetic) and only use Volvo or Mann oil filters. Run fuel injector cleaner in the motor every 2,500 miles (or every 90 days), and drive it hard at least once per week.

Also, you should pump 91+ octane in ALL VOLVO's built with the white block motors. 850's, 960's, and all Volvo's built after 1998.

The motors in the S70/850 are made to last 500,000 as long as you don't burn a valve or over heat the motor (coolant leaks or old hoses).

 

I have invested over $1200 in it in the last three months. I just can't keep doing that. Now the proportion valve for the brake fluid is messed up and I have to put brake fluid in it every couple of days. The part is $185, half of a weeks pay for me. As a single parent, I just can't keep investing this kind of money into it.

 

Well, I have to choose between this Volvo and a 1998 Subaru Legacy Sedan with 98,000 miles, mint condition. This is so tough because I love my Volvo and really want the S70 but I am just so confused. I have never owned a Subaru but know they are awesome cars but I have total faith in the Volvo. One is a luxury car and one is a sporty sedan when compared on intellichoice.com they are neck in neck. What to do, what to do...

 

Don't be offended, but unless you repair your own vehicles the S70 will be VERY expensive to maintain. It rides nice enough, but you will spend a ton of money on it. We have a MB, Lexus, Acura CL, Honda Accord and an S70. Of the bunch, the Acura is by far the best quality car - in 100K miles I've had to replace a burned out light bulb - seriously. The Honda is a good car and low maintenance. The S70 seems to ALWAYS have something wrong with it. If it were not for the cost of the parts for the MB and Lexus, the S70 would by far be the most expensive car I have.

At that mileage, if it hasn't had a timing belt, it will need one. rubber stuff will start letting go and within 50K miles you'll be rebuilding the font end. never mind all the other things. I'd trust rspi's judgement since he's owned so many of these.

 

When you look at car upkeep, you have to look at the BIG PICTURE. How much have you put into the 960 over the past year? Past 2 years? Where are you getting your work done? Can someone help you get a used part to help you save money?

That Volvo GLT is a pretty fast car, it will leave that Subaru so far behind, you will forget what kind of car it was while driving away.

Another thing about the Volvo is that I could NOT see a timing belt sticker in the photos. If it has not been done, or you have no written proof that it has been done, it is overdue and that can cost you $1,200 at some shops and $700 at others.

As explained, we really like our S70 and will likely keep it for a few more years but it is a high maintenance car where as my experience with my 960's is low cost in comparison. Subaru's can also be expensive. I am tinkering with one now that needs over $2,000 worth of work, looks very clean as well.

 

Ok, what are your thoughts on this 2004 S60 2.5T Sedan 4D 177K $3600

2004 Volvo S60 2.5T, $3,695 - Cars.com

 

Don't know about S60's but at 177K, I would think a timing belt was due.

 

Seeing that the blue book on that car is $5,950 and they are asking less than $4,000, it has to be a DOG, in need of a lot of work.

 

I have an suggestion to offer. When you buy a used car you are buying a car that was was 1) someone wore it out and wants a new one 2) someone got tired of it or died 3) it was totaled and fixed to be resold.

Given that perspective, you can assume you will have to repair it; especially a car with 1870K miles on it. Go to sites like rockauto and look up the cost of parts for common failures and usual maintenance.

I was curious about the S60 myself and I looked up the car you posed.
Front struts: $280 ea (if they are electronic) + labor
Control arm: $90 ea + labor
Timing set: $210 + labor

At 177K miles that S60 is going to need maintenance and repairs. You might look at the S60 sectoin to see what types of issues people are having with the S60 of that year

 

New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews | Cars.com has great reviews on cars and the issues people are complaining about. The timing belt on the S60 should have been done at 105,000 (sticker under the hood somewhere) and will not be due till 210,000, so there should be a lot of time there.

As for other things, it will be evident when a car inspector looks at it. But one thing for sure, if the car wasn't a dog, it would not have made it to New Cars, Used Cars, Car Reviews | Cars.com. I'm still a FIX THE 960 kind of guy. Or find a nice 960/S90 on CraigsList.

 

1997 VOLVO 960

Volvo S70 129K $2400

VOLVO 850 WAGON ****GREAT ON GAS****

Do not by anything without having it check out by a mechanic.

 

Wow, thank you for all of your input. I did get a quote on the timing belt and installation and it will run me $550. With the water pump 850.00. I am going to get it tomorrow. As I stated, I have stuck $1200 in my 960 (205,500) and still have lots of issues. Gas smell, oil smell, brake proportion valve. Guess I will just take the chance on the S70 with only 82,000 and stick some money in it. Really, it is just a baby in a Volvo's life right?

 

Did you attempt to negotiate their price (dealers) down a bit or have the work done first by the dealer for the original list price?
Well worth a try and they know your a keen buyer.

 

Well, have fun and do keep in touch. I'm sure you will LOVE the car.

I hope you watched the Pre-Purchase video and did those test. The PCV system is over 10 years old and should be replaced as well. That's another $600 if you have to pay someone else to do it. If not, it could start leaking oil.

Being that it's turbo, you should run full synthetic oil. It will help the turbo last longer but will cause oil leaks if the car has a clogged PCV system.