I am currently in the market for a used Volvo, and I would like to pay $2500 - $5000. I have noticed that a lot of S70s from the late nineties are for sell far below the bluebook value. In fact, when I type "Volvo" into the search engine of craigslist, a sizable chunk of the cars for sale are S70s (or S80s, etc.). Is this a bad sign? I know it is a bad idea to purchase used Volvos with upward of 100k miles that have a turbo (because they tend to go bad around 100k miles and are an expensive fix). What should I watch out for? Are the S-series from this era and with this many miles worth buying? I used to own a 4-cylander 240 that ran forever, and I have been told the mid-ninties 940 series run equally as well. Any advice?

what makes you think that the turbos on the s70's go bad around 100k? i've seen ones with 225k on the original turbo. it's how it was maintained that counts. check the carfax on them for service records. that will tell you more than what any individual would have to say. other than that, go get one. their loss your gain.

Popular redesign and good economic times. Gas prices pretty good, too?? 10 years seems to be the "replace for new" time frame now up from 6-8 years. Just a thought or two.

Like GreekMason says as long the car has been well maintaned you shouldn't have any problem. If you are looking into the 900 series, and want a car with little more power, the 960 (which has the 6 cylinder engine) is recommended.

Here follows some interesting Volvo facts:

The Volvo 940 is among the last in the long-running line of large rear-wheel drive cars from Volvo. Introduced in 1991, the 940 was essentially a cosmetic reskinning of the 740. All drivetrains, and most options available in the 940 had been available in the 740. The 940 was more closely related to the 740 than the 760, sharing the same dashboard, drivetrain choices, and sheet metal from the A-pillar forward. In contrast, the 960 was an evolution of the 760. The 760 / 960 front sheet metal, independent rear suspension, dashboard, and other interior features were all exclusive to the two upscale models.

In the United States, the 1991 940 was offered in three versions: the 940GLE used a 16-valve version of the 2.3-litre engine, the 940 Turbo used a turbocharged 2.3-litre, and the top-end 940SE (turbo) included body-coloured trim, and the premium features (leather, power seats/moonroof, etc.) as standard equipment.

In 1992, the 940 GLE was downgraded with a 114 bhp 2.3-litre 4-cylinder engine and sold as the 940 GL (or basic 940 in some export markets). The 940 SE was altered in such a fashion that it was a 960 Turbo sold as the 940 SE, but the 940 Turbo remained largely unchanged. Production of the 940 series ended in 1998.
Autumn 1990 saw the launch of the Volvo 960, in time for the 1991 model year. This was the replacement for the 760. The 1991 960 was an evolutionary progression of the 1990 760. The most significant change was that, in most markets, the 960 was offered with an all-new aluminum 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder engine. Some markets, such as Australia, saw 1991 960s equipped with the same V6 engine, the B280, that had powered the 1990 760. The 1992 model year saw the U.S. introduction of a 960 with the DOHC six-cylinder engine. In Italy, the 960 was sold with the 16v 2-litre turbo for the model year 1991.

The 960 received further incremental changes for the 1992, 1993, and 1994 model years. Most visible were the new more shapely seats, and redesigned seat-belts with hydraulic pretensioners for 1992. 1993 saw a new more ergonomic shifter, and 1994 saw the introduction of dual front airbags in some markets. The opaque sunroof was replaced by a sliding sunshade and glass window.

For 1995, the 960 underwent radical changes. Most obvious was the more aerodynamic front end, and more body coloured panels. Underneath, the front suspension was completely retooled to more closely match that of the 850. Indeed, 1995 to 1998 960s are able to use the same wheels as 1994 and newer front-wheel drive Volvo models. The rear suspension was a completely redesigned multi-link independent design. Instead of conventional coil springs, Volvo used a single transverse fibreglass leaf spring. The 1995 960 station wagon marked the first time ever that Volvo equipped one of its rear-wheel drive station wagons with an independent rear suspension. Included in the suspension redesign, Boge's self-levelling rear suspension system, the Nivomat, became an option, rather than standard equipment.

Production of the 960 ended in 1998, with the 1998 model year vehicles renamed as the Volvo S90/Volvo V90. Some 1997 model year vehicles were branded S90 or V90 as well.

The 1992-94 Volvo 960s were built in Kalmar, Sweden. The very first Volvo 960 for the US-market rolled off the assembly line on August 12, 1991, as a 1992 model. The 1995 to 1998 960s were built in Göteborg, Sweden. The first 1995 960 was built on June 27, 1994.

All US cars were equipped with an electronically controlled Aisin AW-series automatic transmission. Beginning in the 1995 model year, European cars with the 2.5 L engines were also available with a manual transmission, the so-called M90, a strong new design that was derived from the Volvo 850's transmission. With the demise of the 2.5 L engine, the M90 was paired with a detuned version of the 3.0 L engine.


Good luck of choosing your car.
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Once a Volvo owner always a Volvo owner.
Volvo means I am rolling in latin.

bro, you are like a walking volvo-pedia. sweet. now quick, torque settings for the front motor mount on the 245? ahhhhhhhhhhhh, too late bro. :grin: great info cheneyv70, was the 2.3 in the 940 a 4 cylinder or a 5 like the 850's?

GreekMason,

Volvo 940 came with the 4 cylinder engine, B23 which also explains the wolume of the engine 2.3 litre.
In the United States, the 1991 940 was offered in three versions: the 940GLE used a 16-valve version of the 2.3-litre engine, the 940 Turbo used a turbocharged 2.3-litre, and the top-end 940SE (turbo) included body-coloured trim, and the premium features (leather, power seats/moonroof, etc.) as standard equipment.

In 1992, the 940 GLE was downgraded with a 114 bhp 2.3-litre 4-cylinder engine and sold as the 940 GL (or basic 940 in some export markets). The 940 SE was altered in such a fashion that it was a 960 Turbo sold as the 940 SE, but the 940 Turbo remained largely unchanged. Production of the 940 series ended in 1998

2.3 L 153 hp (114 kW) I4 (B234F)
2.3 L 162 hp (121 kW) I4 (B230FT)
2.3 L 114 hp (85 kW) I4 (B230F)

:right:

this is my first post - but I am also looking at buying a used Volvo. I currently have a 1994 940 with 220K miles on it. My dealer has a very nice '98 V90 that they are listing for $7500. It has 126K miles on it. I test drove it, and I'm no expert but it drove very nicely. The Carfax is clean, for what it's worth. But I'm wondering if the price is too high. Any comments? Thanks!

:00000732: kssmith1012,
Welcome to us at volvo-forums, this forum has been great for me and probably will be for you as well.
The price you say you been given seems to be at the little higher end,
the seller (private party) asked 7500 for my car but I managed to get it down to a more (in my opinion) reasonable price.
I would suggest you looking into NADA.com and Kelly's Blue book kbb.com for price suggestions.
V90 model came out on the market 1998, and was based on the 960 chassi, the engine was the same but with with little more power.
Try to find a 960, same car for a lower price, but might be harder to find.
Here is what I found at NADA,
Volvo 960 1997 with 126k miles, clean retail: $5000, high retail: $6050
Volvo V90 1998 with 126k miles, clean retail: $5875, high retail: $6875

Try to talk directly to the sale manager, not the floor person, it's easier to break a better deal that way. If not possible try to find another dealership.
Check out edmunds.com where you can find more info about cars.

Just checked their website and found a 960 from 1997 117k price only $3500
and a V90 from 1998 126k $8000.

Good luck and hope you will find a car soon, keep me updated.

Finally, once you have decided for a car, take it to a service station for check-up, its worth every dollar.
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Once a Volvo owner always a Volvo owner
Volvo means "I am rolling", in latin.

Hopefully by now you have made your purchase, but I just thought I'd throw in my point of view from Canada. There are some terrific deals on the older S70's out there. I suspect it is mainly due to the need for the newer body styles of the S60 and S80s.
I have the S70 T5 SE in a 5 speed and it has 335,000Km on it and the Turbo still works great. This car is a rocket!
So if you are still looking at the S70s, here's my advice...the base S70, automatic is sort of sluggish, but good on gas. The GLT is a bit better, but if you can get your hands on the T5, go for it!
I prefer the 5 speed for the performance, but the autos drive very well too.
I would also suggest replacing the timimg belt every 100,000Km (60,000miles) as I have heard horror stories about what happens if they break.

Good luck and have fun!