"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
11/10/2014 at 09:36 • Filed to: rescue, volvo
2
16|
"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
11/10/2014 at 09:36 • Filed to: rescue, volvo | 2
| 16 |
A friend/neighbor bought it from a family member, a stealership quoted them some outrageous price to get it to pass inspection ($5000), and it's basically been sitting since then. It's been nearly a year. I was a little interested back then, but moved on because:
a) My wife gave birth about a month prior
b) It has neither a turbo, a third pedal, or a hatch
c) The guy who owns it is a huge cheapskate, and didn't want to lose money on it.
So the guy tried to sell it twice, but didn't even check to see what others were going for, so of course no one bought it. The first time he listed it for 3k, I'm guessing a number he got from KBB, which is twice what most other 850's are going for. Anywho, I'm finally able to gather funds for a second car that I can have fun with and wrench on a bit, and realized that this Volvo had been sitting long enough that I may be able to get it cheap. I brought it up when I saw them yesterday and they were both shocked and relieved when I told them that I may want to take it off their hands. Somewhere he's got the paperwork from the dealer with everything it needed, the main one was some problem with the evap system. Aside from that, it sounds like they were basically nickel-and-dimed. The car ran pretty strong for the month before they tried to register it, but needs a new battery now. They were about to donate it to Kidney Kars, so they'll probably accept whatever I offer to them, which will probably be something around $100-$200. The main thing is to get the inspection sheet and find out what needs to be done to fix the evap, and if I want to do it. I'll probably also take it to my own people for inspection and see what I can check off the laundry list from the dealership.
The thing just looks so sad sitting in it's parking spot. I'm crossing my fingers that whatever I need to fix will be worth it. Also crossing my fingers that it's a '97, because that's the year that they added a small turbo to that particular trim (GLT)
505Turbeaux
> Alfalfa
11/10/2014 at 09:50 |
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yeha 97 GLT's are great. Love the LPT's. I bet anything it needs a new breather box installed for the PCV, under $50 for the kit to do it, and it causes all kinds of leaks/milky oil/general issues.
redblockpowered
> Alfalfa
11/10/2014 at 09:51 |
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I wouldn't bother with it unless you can get it for less than $200 or so, even if it is a low pressure turbo car. 850s are awfully cheap nowadays. Just because it's easy to find doesn't make it the right choice.
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Alfalfa
> redblockpowered
11/10/2014 at 09:53 |
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Yeah I'm certainly not planning in paying over $200. If I decide it's too much work, I won't hesitate move on to something else. I would ideally like something slightly more sporty or obscure.
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Alfalfa
> 505Turbeaux
11/10/2014 at 09:57 |
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That's what I'm thinking/hoping for. If he doesn't find the inspection stuff today, I'll probably at least get the keys from him to get a closer look at her. Maybe it will throw some codes my way that can help me figure it out.
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redblockpowered
> Alfalfa
11/10/2014 at 10:02 |
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How about a Volvo 780? It's sporty, obscure, occasionally turbocharged, beautiful, and auto-only, but you can use 740 stuff to manual swap it I think. It's like a Swedish 635CSi.
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505Turbeaux
> Alfalfa
11/10/2014 at 10:04 |
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check and be 100% positive it isnt a 96 build date. Those computers in 96 and some of them in 97 take a very detailed drive cycle 2 times to set the readiness monitors. Make sure you check them, some states give them a pass with 4-5 unset monitors, mine does not, and it is hairy to do the cycle on a public road. http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic…
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Alfalfa
> redblockpowered
11/10/2014 at 10:09 |
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That would be cool, if I could find one. Pre-90's Volvos seem to be few and far between, at least in my area. There are a few 740's to be had, of course. If I were to still get a Volvo, I would be more on the prowl for a turbo wagon.
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Alfalfa
> 505Turbeaux
11/10/2014 at 10:12 |
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Good to know! Hopefully I can get all the other miscellaneous info later today. (Year, mileage, etc)
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redblockpowered
> Alfalfa
11/10/2014 at 10:13 |
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Yeah, they didn't really get rustproofing right until the 740/940.
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Alfalfa
> redblockpowered
11/10/2014 at 10:15 |
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That would explain it. I live in a snowy land where rust is like AIDS.
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505Turbeaux
> Alfalfa
11/10/2014 at 10:32 |
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good I am busy as hell but feel free to post back here when you get the deets and I will give you a rundown. I might not see it otherwise. Or come find me on facebook so we can message back and forth
twochevrons
> Alfalfa
11/10/2014 at 11:37 |
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850s are nice cars, and although they're not quite as indestructible as the 240 and 740 that came before, they're still good cars – they drive nicely, are reasonably easy to work on, and are capable of interstellar mileages if well looked-after. Also, having hit rock-bottom depreciation-wise, not only can you pick up a good one for very little money (I picked up an 850R wagon for under a grand), they are also plentiful in scrapyards, making used parts cheap and easy to find.
Depending on where the evap problem is, you may have to drop the fuel tank. http://volvo850wagon.wordpress.com/category/evapo… describes a couple of different evap system faults and repairs. That blog, and the Matthew's Volvo Site forums are a real goldmine for DIY information on the 850.
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Alfalfa
> twochevrons
11/10/2014 at 11:50 |
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Good to know! I've been searching for common evap problems on 850's, but that link certainly gave me more info than what I've been finding. Thanks!
Tina Corbett
> Alfalfa
11/10/2014 at 15:26 |
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Wait...where do you live? I'd buy that for $200 today!
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Alfalfa
> Tina Corbett
11/10/2014 at 16:34 |
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I'm in Utah, but you can't have it, it's mine! Well, it might be...
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Alfalfa
> 505Turbeaux
11/11/2014 at 08:42 |
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Word. I just messaged you on the FB.