:cat: The common question. I'm buying a used Volvo model xxxx. What should I look for?

The short answer is a:

Full Service History (FSH)

Volvo's need servicing just like anyother car. If you are buying a used Volvo and the seller says: "it's a wonderful car. It just goes and goes. I've not had to spend a cent on it in the last two to three years!" :) Beware! :devil:

The car may be coming up for some very expensive repairs which the seller does not want to pay for or does not have the money to pay for the repairs. :excl:

Suppose the car you are buying is less than $4,000.00 and several years old. You might be stretching things if the car has had several different owners by demanding all the Receipts and paper work which may have been lost over the years. Let's face it, if the radiator was replaced 280,000k's ago-it might need replacing again. And all the original paper work and receipts now don't lessen the burden of replacing it again. That is simply an example only.

Having a pre-purchase examination by your local Automobile Association or similar organisation has it's advantages. They are inspecting cars all the time and have the equipment to do the job properly, e.g. lifts, inspection pits etc.

Once the inspection is finished-take the report to your local Volvo agent and have the agent cost up the report for repairs/replacements/updates etc. At the same time, ask the Volvo agent to look for common problems which the Agent would know about and the inspection service may have missed in their report.

HOW MUCH TO PAY?

Take the sellers asking price

minus the Volvo agent's quote

minus another $1,000.00 buffer for things the inspection missed (you could increase that $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 if none or few of the Volvo periodic services have been done)

Whatever is left over-that is the price you offer the seller.

WHAT EXACTLY AM I PAYING FOR WHEN I BUY A USED CAR?

You are paying the seller the perceived value of the life left in the car.

(If you are buying a classic car-none of the above rules apply.) Pricing/costing enthusiasts/collectors values is beyond this article.

These remarks apply regardless of whether or not the particular Volvo you are thinking about buying is:

Turbo or non-Turbo
Petrol or Diesel
Manual (Stick-Shift) or Auto (Gearless)
Front Wheel Drive
Rear Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Sedan, Coupe, Station Wagon, Convertible, SUV.

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Questions like:

"I'm thinking about buying a 1993 Volvo 850 Turbo, what should I look for?

You cannot be expected to know how to diagnose normal wear and tear of the transmission, turbo and suspension etc etc. You cannot be expected to recognise a faultless and fully serviceable car either.

What should I look for? The Volvo agent. Why? Normally, the agent has a reputation too good to loose. It is rare that they would miss something and not remedy the situation if you were to suffer lose because of their negligence. (I realise that there are exceptions to all these remarks. Please don't fill the forum with one off examples of disasters.) Mistakes do happen. Ask any doctor if you don't believe me!! I doubt that any agent would deliberately mislead you.

Check the dash board for bits of tape overing warning lights. Taping over warning lights with expensive repairs required is becoming common.

These remarks are for guidance only.

Cheers :right:

:grouphug:

:clap: :clap: :clap:





Thanks, Auckland.

:cat: My pleasure Sir.

Cheers :right:

Thanks a lot .

hey auckland, bro, when do i kick the tires? at the start before negotiations, or during? should i let the dealer see me do it, or distract him first? how about doing a burnout first? i could tell him i am checking the brakes. :grin: now you know why the mrs doesn't come shopping with me. i am a baaaaaaaaaaaad boy :devil:

Well, where do I start. I purchased my 1979 242 DL in 2000 for $350. That car and I spend many hours and miles on the highway, back roads and in between. It was the best car I've owned and I loved driving it. I even drove it to the Grand Canyon, and had the best breakdown ever on my way home. The alternator went out in Hamer, Idaho. So I stayed a night with a nice Mormon family of sheep farmers and had peach cobbler. After a quick trip to a small machine shop the next morning, I was back on the road headed home to Missoula, Montana. Eight years later, this wonderful car is at the end of its road. A crazed (uninsured) teenager sideswiped my poor Volvo as it was parked, defenseless, on a city streetside. So, I'd like to sell it whole or piece it out to raise money to fix our other car that was also damaged in the accident. It has engine issues, and of course the driver's side is smunched, but interior parts and (unsmunched) exterior is in good condition so many useable, like new parts that are otherwise very expensive. Help me make my Volvo live on, in other cars. Any interest?

Dear Sad-in-Montana,

You may have better luck in the 240 forums.
:)


By the way, Greek, you can start kicking the tyres at ANY time you wish.
:)

Autoworld of Springfield is selling 2006-2007 Volvo XC90''s Directly off Volvo lease return. They have acquired over 3 truckloads at special purchase pricing. They range from $3000-$8000 below NADA wholesale. You can call them toll free at 1-800-505-8004 between 9am-6pm CST. They are located in Springfield, mo. They can also ship anywhere in the U.S. at very reasonable prices. If you want to save thousands over your Volvo dealer, give them a call before these are gone.