Ok,I've been looking at a '98 S70 T5 for 2 weeks. Have spent some time researching them and have wanted one for a while. (about 2 yrs) It has the usual quirks I've seen everyone mention (leather lifting on door panels,a lil rattly,sticky/melty buttons,very minor oil "wetness") The car is a gem otherwise! I've driven it and it goes great,rides smooth,shifts fine. It does idle a lil rough. I do mean a lil. Dealer is asking $3900. Car has 125,000 miles. I am going to have a carfax run on it tomorrow,just because. Dealer said he'd give me 30 day warranty on the car. If the carfax comes back clean,I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go for it.
Any last minute suggestions,things to look for. I'm going to drive it again and would appreciate any tips.
Thanks from a T5 "Newbie"

 

If it's at an actual Volvo dealer, I might be a little cautious, as up here anyways, the Volvo dealers don't give out any kind of deals on used Volvos - they are the most expensive place to buy - probably can get more with the brand new ones sitting right next to them.

I think the CarFax is a great idea. And if it was me, I'd also have the car looked at by a competent independent mechanic who will check e.g., the brakes, exhaust, shocks/struts, engine compression, and throw it on their electronic analyzer thingie. Might cost you $250, but with what it costs to do repairs these days, that's still a bargain for what you will learn (in my humble opinion).

Good luck - hope all goes well!

 

Yea id def take it to volvo dealer and have them check it out. Also id look when was timing belt done and things like that. And 3900 sounds a lil too much, ive seen better. Goodluck.

 

It is a small used car dealer. He sells 95% Euro cars. (Volvo,BMW,Land Rover,Peugot,etc) I too felt the price is a lil high and was gonna make a lower offer. Having it looked over by a mechanic was on my mind as well. I'm a decent backyard mech.,but have NO experience w/ Volvo aside from a family friend who swears by 'em. (i was a vw gti guy,then into 4 wheelin' for a while,now goin back to Euro cars) Thanks guys for your help! Anyone else with suggestions?

 

A lot of the value depends on condition in an older car - only you can see that. In cars that are 2 years old with 30,000 miles, condition will all be basically the same. But on cars that are 10 years old with 150,000 on them, condition will vary widely. So I think price is hard to judge on an older car from a little text.

I will say that T5's aren't that common, and 125,000 miles is low for a 1998 - an average car that old will have more like 180,000.

As to knowing the service history on an old car, that will be very useful, but at least if you're buying from a dealer, service records will be rare, private party is much more likely to have them.

If you like that car, but believe the price is off, you can always offer what you think it's worth, and be ready to move on (or think further) if they won't meet your price. Otherwise, what's to say but keep looking? There will always be another car...

 

The button stickiness: I just got mine clean by applying some "label remover" orange citrus-type cleaner. Worked well.

 

Huh?

Anyway, hard to judge the value without knowing maintenance history and seeing lots of pics. Check PCV, mounts, tires, and t-belt. Most other stuff can be worked out.