Newbie to Volvo World

I am looking to buy a pre-owned Volvo, preferably in the sub $11,000-12000
range with less than 90k in miles. I wish to have a wagon, but ironically,
my fiancé wants a sedan. We looked at a 2000 S 70se today which had 92k in
miles and the asking price was in the high 10k range. I am sure it could had
for less. We both liked it a lot. However, in looking on AutoTrader and some
other sites, I have found many other options that fit our criteria and are
perhaps a better buy than the one we saw today. Anyway, our goal is to buy a
nice looking car that will last us a few good years before the nickel and
dime stuff starts happening.We will be putting around 10k a year in mileage
on it at most.

I guess my questions are these: Are there any models that we should stay
away from? What could be considered a good buy on a Volvo?

I figure we will be looking at the sedans more so than the wagons in the
model years 1999-2002. Maybe we will get lucky.

I know this post is vague, but I am feeling under educated and any info
would be greatly appreciated.

aaron

 

You may not like me very much for saying this, but I'll speak my peace
then go sit in the corner.

I bought a 1987 Volvo 740 GLE from an English professor not long ago.
He bought the car new, drove it for almost 20 years and thank God he
wasn't a mechanic and brought the car to the dealer for everything.

I paid $500 for this car and it was half-dead. I spent almost $3000
restoring it and have this to say about Volvo. I'd love to have an OLD
Volvo like a P1800 (is that what they're called?). Give me a 240 if I
never have to replace the blower motor buried in the dash. Give me a
740 turbo or non-turbo and MAYBE give me a 1990-92 Volvo something.

But- (and here's where it gets hard) - I would not buy a new(er)Volvo.
I would not give a Volvo dealer a dime for a new car. I would not buy
any Volvo since Ford bought it. I would not spend over about $7500 for
a Volvo.

Too many people I know who've spent THOUSANDS on bugs and glitches in
newer Volvos. I love what Volvo used to be. I love old Volvos. If I
were spending 10-15K - it would be on a Honda, Toyota or Volkswagon.

I love America but won't buy an American car, nor will I buy a newer
Volvo.

That's my 2 cents, hope I don't ruffle feathers. I love my 87 740 - but
I have to honestly say that Volvo were pioneers, but the product has
evolved and today I wouldn't buy into it.

 

I'm afraid that I have to agree with Jamie above. Not more than ten
seconds out of warranty, my '03 XC 70 started to have major electronic
glitches and little nit-picking crap going wrong that are not mileage
dependent...It's at about 56K. I mean, TONS of little things. In the
last year, the car has cost me a fortune in repairs. Thank God I have my
Town Car to drive while that pig is in the dealer.
I have an '84 200 two door turbo with only 139K on the clock and it has
never failed me.
I'm in real estate here in Las Vegas and if I could find a really fine
'84 to '92 wagon, I'd snap it up, put a few thousand into it and
wouldn't hesitate to pick anyone up in it to go and look at a 2 million
dollar house.
Needless to say, I think that it's obvious that I love that model.

 

i've said it before, i'll say it again: the used, well-maintained 240 is the
best price/performance car ever built. Period.

since 1973, I've also owned 140, 145, 240, 122, 1800E, 850, v40 in that
order. The 240 was the best.

Pat Q

(sold my '91 240 last year at 170,000 miles for more than I paid for it in
2000)

 

wow. that is great information. I do like the 240 look a lot. it is what
lead me to consider a volvo to begin with. perhaps I should search for a
really nice older one. I too am in real estate in atlanta, so I need a car
that looks sharp and wont spend all of its time in ye old repair shoppe.

aaron

 

Personally, I like the 1992-1995 940s and 960s. If you need something
that looks like an old luxury car, runs well, and has some nice options
(heated seats are my favorite), then there is nothing better. I bought
my 1993 940 new from the dealer in Sept. 1992 and the only work I have
had on it is the regular maintenence and oil changes, and now it's just
over 130,000 miles. No major problems so far!