So I'm a new driver and I am looking for my first car. My mother has agreed to buy a car for me so long as it is less than 2000 USD . I've gotten tons of suggestions on what type of car to pick. A friend said to go get a old civic ,my bro said get a Geo Metro, and my neighbor saying get a Jeep Wrangler because of the Four-wheel-drive. Truth be told I not really feeling any of these. I went to a relatively big auto blog called Japopnik and they personally recommended a Volvo 850. my only issue with 850 is that it's a station wagon. I really don't want to start on anything that is to long or too high.

I began to do a little bit of research on Volvos and have decided that an s70 would probably be a good model to start on. As fate would have it I came across a S 70 that is going for 1400 dollars on craigslist. it is a 1999 and S70 with 200,000 miles on the odometer. The car has recently had the following work done new inner and outer tie rods, brand new exhaust, two new front tires, and new spark plugs. I haven't actually seen the car yet but because of its high mileage I am little bit concerned. What are the things that I should be looking out for when I actually do go to see the car in person? are there any particular known issues or quirks that I could spot?

Most people are telling me to send it to a mechanic but I feel that sending every car that I'm interested in to a mechanic could be a waste of money. I would much rather develop my own criteria for whether a car is good and then if I determine it's good send it to the mechanic for him to check it over. so what are the warning signs of of a bad buy?

Update I found a 1998 GLT that has 170,000 going for 120,000 . I still have yet to check them out in person but I would like to know what to look for and what to look out for .

 

This might help: https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...-thread-13678/

 

You're MUCH better off with the '98. Look at everything in that buyer's guide, but you should also understand that 99 and 00 S70s have a couple common issues that the 98s don't. First and foremost is the electronic throttle module (ETM) The ETM has an internal sensor that wears out after a while and can't be replaced separately. A used ETM won't work because they have vehicle- specific programming. Volvo charges about $1,000 for a new ETM, and when the ETM fails, the car will basically be undriveable. Now, there's a company (xemodex) that rebuilds ETMs with a redesigned, non- wearing sensor, and gives a lifetime guarantee for about $550. I've used their rebuilt modules many times on customers' cars, and have had great luck with them. Other issues that pop up on 99 and 00 S70s that don't on the '98s are: Immobilizer system- sometimes, as stuff wears out, the immobilizer doesn't read the key correctly, preventing the car from starting. Ignition coil failure: in 99, Volvo started using individual coils. These coils fail at a somewhat unusual rate. Now, they're easy to change, but it's still something to watch out for. Finally, the early 5- speed automatics (mostly found on non- turbo models) had a few "growing pains." Most of the issues can be addressed with software updates, provided they get done before damage gets done, but again- it's something to be aware of.

Unless the '98 is a total pile of crap, you're likely better off with it than the 99.

 

A wagon is the same length and height as a sedan.