Selling the Volvo

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
04/19/2020 at 21:44 • Filed to: None

Im selling the 850 to make room for the 240.

It’s a 1996 GLT with 168k on the clock. Tan l eather interior, automatic, sunroof, power locks and windows . Its riding on a set of C70 Zeus wheels with practically new tires (~1k miles on them) but I also have the original set of Cetus 15" 6 spoke wheels with some crap tires (could be good for snow tires).

In the last 3k its had a timing belt and water pump, tune up, shocks and struts, rebuilt front suspension, fixed up interior, and trunk struts. On the downside it still had some creaks and clunks (probably needs rear suspension bushings and subframe bushings), the antenna doesn’t work, and the heated seats don’t work (I put new seats in it, they dont have heaters).

Interior pics are coming, I need to Svend it and get it as good as the exterior looks.

That being said, do you all think $2,000 is a fair asking price?

DISCUSSION (23)

Chariotoflove > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/19/2020 at 21:57

I have no idea, but it’s a nice looking car.

sony1492 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/19/2020 at 21:57

NP all the way, I'd buy it if you were close.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Chariotoflove
04/19/2020 at 22:00

Thank you. My buddy and I did a full paint correction back in the fall. Today I did a mini-Svend: wash, light clay, wax. I also did wheels, tires, trim with "Back to Black" and rubber seals with VLR. I did the exterior pics since I had just finished and this is as good as its ever gonna look.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > sony1492
04/19/2020 at 22:02

How far are you? Haha

I’d even give an Oppo discount.

sony1492 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/19/2020 at 22:04

Ca coast , 70 miles south of the Oregon border, Probably alot

Snuze: Needs another Swede > sony1492
04/19/2020 at 22:05

Yeah, okay, you are a bit far. I'm a few miles outside of Washington, DC.

Aremmes > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/19/2020 at 22:33

$2,000 sounds NP for this region. Edmunds puts it at around $2,300 in dealer retail.

BTW, I started the 240 yesterday to give it a bit of a warmup. It started and idled without problems.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Aremmes
04/19/2020 at 22:39

What a great little Swedish tractor! I’m not going to lie, I was slightly nervous that it was going to seize up or something. I’m working on arrangements to get up there and get it. I can’t do it this coming weekend, my wife has her infusion (she has MS and does a monthly treatment) so I have to take care of her. I’m shooting for either the following weekend or the one after that.

Anyways, how old is your son, close to driving age? Want a different Volvo in your driveway? Hahahaha.

412GTI > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/19/2020 at 22:49

Never really noticed before but that’s a beautiful color! Good luck with the sell.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > 412GTI
04/19/2020 at 22:55

Thank you!

Volvo calls it “Olive Pearl Metallic” and I do think it’s one of their prettiest colors. One of the things I love about it is that in the right light it’s got a bit of gold in it. It gives a very, very subtle color shift, like those c hameleon paints.

I also think the green over t an interior is a classy color combo. My 240 is like a grey/green or pewter silver over brown. I’ve always owned cars that were shades of grey (white, silver or black... except my Blue WRX) with either black or grey interior. These colors, and tans & browns make me feel very European and sophisticated...

*grows Swedish Volvo mullet*

Aremmes > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/19/2020 at 22:58

I’d pay you the $2k, no lie, but we’re looking for a three-row barge since SWMBO got spoilt by the Unsolicited Explorer. Also, my son is gunning for the Miata. He’s 12, so right around the time to start learning the ropes. He’s still got a ways to go, though — he stalled the riding mower last weekend.

As for the wagon, no rush! It’s not taking up needed space, and it looks great sitting there on the driveway. Taking care of family has priority.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Aremmes
04/19/2020 at 23:07

Thanks again. Though I am eager to get it down here and get working on it. I’ve got time right now, and I just found a set of factory Corona (fitting, no?) wheels for $70. The first order of business is to put it back to stock ride height and on factory wheels because that’s going to make it A LOT easier to fix the other issues (motor mounts, oil leaks, rust). Once that’s all done, then I’ll have some fun with it.

The 850 makes a nice, comfortable little cruiser. But I like your son’s style, aiming for the Miata. Good thing he’s got a few years to practice on the mower! And a 3 row barge would be nice. When my wife’s Lexus got totaled in 2018 I was pushing hard for a GMC Acadia, which is a 3 row. We don’t really need that much but t he extra space would have been nice AND they can tow 5,000 lbs. We ended up with the Terrain Denali, which is still really nice, and has been good to us. It tows 3,500 (sadly not enough to drag the 240 home) .

Aremmes > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/19/2020 at 23:28

Damn, $70! That's impressive. Those Corona wheels are what pop up in my mind when I think of Volvos, though usually pictured on a 740.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Aremmes
04/19/2020 at 23:39

I think they were originally 740 wheels but they should fit the 240 just fine. They are temporary, anyways. Now I'm trying to source some stock springs. Im curious to see what janky lowering method was employed... cheap Chinesium springs or torch cut factory springs?

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/20/2020 at 01:01

Dang, that’s a good price and my fiancée needs a car. Shame we got screwed by the government and won’t get a penny.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/20/2020 at 04:45

Im selling the 850

>: (

to make room for the 240.

Not sure about the prices for where you are, but this seems like a very sorted out and sweet car for the next owner, I hope you get what you’re asking for it!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan'
04/20/2020 at 05:21

Thanks. I've put quite a bit of work into it, but it was one of those things where I got it on a whim, not because my heart was set on it. Now its time to let it go in favor of something I'm more interested in.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
04/20/2020 at 05:25

I ’d give you the Oppo discount, I could come down a few hundred, if that puts it more within reach. But I’m trying my best t o recoup my costs on this.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/20/2020 at 12:06

Yeah I get it. I’ll have to see, we’re both trying to get money together right now and it’s a 15+ hour drive. Don’t hold it for me at all, but I’ll keep you updated

Snuze: Needs another Swede > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
04/20/2020 at 12:12

And I understand your predicament. Plus, 15 hours is a long way to come for a pretty unremarkable 23 year old car. But let me know, if nobody else buys it in the mean time, you’re certainly welcome to when you’re ready.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/20/2020 at 12:28

The nice thing about it is the maintenance and expensive fixes already done and the problems are a known quantity. It’s still an old automatic Volvo at the end of the day, but one that’s been nicely fixed up. Do you have inspections where you’re at?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
04/20/2020 at 12:39

Thank you!

We do have inspections and it passed back when I bought it in the fall after I did a few little things (tag light bulb, welded up an exhaust hanger and fixed an exhaust leak). Our inspections aren’t the greatest - they mainly look for emissions and major safety issues (tires, brakes, working lights) so stuff like suspension doesn’t really matter unless it’s really, really bad, i.e. important parts are missing/falling off.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/20/2020 at 15:16

Okay, that’s how mine are in MO, they don’t really care unless it’s a glaring safety issue. My biggest concern is buying a car thinking it only needs a few things, then realizing it won’t pass inspection due to some expensive issue. It’s a new thing for me, as my home state IL (where my car is still registered) doesn’t have them, beyond emissions testing around Chicago. I know my car would fail, as I have at least 3 exhaust leaks and the cats might be going bad.

Like I said, it seems like it would a very good car, I’ll just have to see if I can get the funds together reasonably quickly.