Looking at buying a 1998 V70 FWD, automatic, 297,000km.
Has been certified and passed emissions test.
Drives well. Test drove today.
Body not in great shape (some scratches and dings).

This would be my first car, primarily used for highway commuting. Hoping to just get a few years out of it at least, until I can afford a newer car.

Price is $1500. I know the seller through a family connection and he assures me it is in great shape, willing to take it to a mechanic with me to check it out to confirm this.

Any words of advice?
Thank you!

 

Sounds like the car I just bought for my kid to drive. Ask for maintenance records, especially last timing belt change. Bring it to a mechanic you know, get it up on a hoist check exhaust/brakes/suspension etc. If it passed safety and emissions then you'll be able to plate it right away, thats rare in that price range.

 

Thank you cdnbluez! Will follow that advice. I am a little concerned about the mileage, any idea what it cost to fill the tank?

 

Does the V70 only take Premium gasoline?

 

its a 75 L tank.. so i live in canada that would be 90-110$ to fill up. gas is expensive here..

you dont have to put premium, but it gets better performance and better MPG because its designed to run on premium.

if its turbo and premum fo sho

 

Thanks for the input. I am also in Canada.
As far as I know, not a Turbo. Does the premium gas increased MPG outweigh the increased cost to fill the tank?

Also, would anyone be overly concerned with the 287,000km? I am really only hoping to get a few years out of this....

 

297K km is about 185K miles on the clock; i would be concerned too. I would do a compression test on the engine and have a volvo tech (not at the dealer) ck it out thoroughly before you buy. At that mileage anything could go wrong; engine, trans failure, etc.

But $1500 isn't a lot of dough either; you will easily put more than that into it to properly maintain this car in short order... buying a car in that price range is always a crap shoot to some degree. The more you have it ckd out before you buy, the more you increase your odds of getting a good deal..

Good luck!

 

Montreal gas costs more, why is that? Thats why I fill up in Cornwall before entering Quebec. 287,000kms = 172,200 miles.

True, higher mileage means more repairs are imminent. I picked mine up for $1,200 (with snows & summers) passed safety and emmissions. I changed timing belt/drained tranny. I'm bringing it in for oil change/torque mount bushing/fuel filter. It also has a tiny leak in the rad which I will get repaired this summer. I don't mind putting money into it over time. For the price, if it blows up you can still part it out and get most of your money back. I already sold the 2 sets of wheels that came witht the car for $550. Bought Columbas w/tires $200, and snows/rims/caps for $100. The extra $250 paid for the timingbelt install.

 

mine has 241.xxx miles and still run strong. i got the car for 1700 $ and changed the shocks,control arm and did a complete tune up. i payed just for the parts, i did the labor. anyway they are now for running till more than 500k with proper maintenance. So i think in that price you have a good deal.

 

im not sure your going to have to do some tests.. im pretty sure that it will because its made to run most efficiently on that gas.

i agree, my car has 260 000 kms and it seems to be doing well. i paid 2000$ for mine and put quite alot into it. i dont mind as long as the engine and transmission are strong. so your paying less than i did and have more km's but if it was maintained better than mine was you should be alright.

 

That is not a lot of miles for the motor, but may be for other items. There is a buyers guide in the 850 section. Check it out. Alway expect to put $75 per month in any 10 year old car. Things need upkeep and do break.

I think 91 oct is worth the $$$. In my case it gives me 15% better milage.