Should I buy this Volvo?

[Wilko220]

Now that the Xantia is going, I'm looking for a cheap load-lugger to replace it with. Always had a nagging bit of want for an old skool Volvo estate and this one is going near me.

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272266750953?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

 

Assuming I could get it for £495, it looks like a bit of a bargain to me. It has already been listed once with a higher starting price (of £550 I think) and didn't get any bids.

 

Trouble is, I won't get the chance to inspect it so would be committing the money blind. And, never having owned a Volvo, i don't really know what the big danger areas are; what the gr9 vs gr2 engine options are; which models hold value better, etc.

 

So, is this a good deal? And what's the worst that could happen (apart from unpleasant marital problems)?

 

[Jim Bell]

Is the answer to this question ever no?

[Jim Bell]

All 940s are 2.3 turbos. Apart from the Wentworth 2.0 turbos. And probavly some na ones. The ones Badged as Turbo are the hpt and are a bit more desirable. This is an lpt but barely less desirable. There's not a great deal that goes wrong with them. The engines are Hardy but thirsty as you would expect. HGs do go. But it's not overly common.

[Jim Bell]

Those seats look like 850 seats to me but I could be wrong.

[Captain Furious]

At £495 the worst that could happen is you lose £495

 

I say go for it

[Walter White]

Perhaps ask a series of direct and specific questions if nobody you trust can view. That way if it isn't as you have been led to believe you can back out.

[Lukas]

Is the answer to this question ever no?

 

Only if there is a Volvo S80 shown... 

[Rocket88]

My 960 will be up for sale soon................................

[purplebargeken]

Looks ok to me. Mine was ace! Just buy it.

[Wilko220]

My 960 will be up for sale soon................................

 

Oh yeah? Tell me more...

[cms206]

940 rust resistance is surprisingly poor, particularly Swedish built ones - Belgian built ones are much better. Check front crossmembers, battery tray, the back end of the sills, front inner arches and front floorpans. HGF not unknown but the 2.3s are hardy and non-interference. Auto 'box is Aisin Warner and a bit brainless but inoffensive. 135bhp won't set the world alight but performance is reasonable. Fuel economy... mid 20s should be attainable round the doors, mid 30s on a run. Electrics are crap in most Volvos and fuel gauges and odometers rarely work correctly.

 

There may still be a sticker on the B-pillar in the nearside rear door shut - if it is still legible, take a note of what is on it. It relates to trim and mechanical specifications and will help if you need to buy brake calipers in future as through the 700 and 900 ranges Volvo used about a dozen different caliper setups.

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[eddyramrod]

Of course you should.  Tidy, low miles, full ticket, petrol, auto... it's worth the money all day, even on here where we habitually pay next to nothing for cars.  Do it.

[rml2345]

Do it. 940s aren't as nice as 740s but you won't go wrong. AW gearbox is pretty tough and the swell of torque low down is quite pleasant. By use of a boost controller you can turn an LPT into a HPT if it's not grunty enough. Interior and wheels look like they're from a Classic or Celebration but the trim levels on these things always seemed completley arbitrary so I wouldn't worry about it. Shouldn't be rotten but they can hide it, particularly front radiator support, floors, jacking points and in the front wings. ABS can be problematic. Looks tidy enough and £495 isn't a bad price.

Alternatively Dave2K's selling a 760 Turbo if you really want to motor.

[Rocket88]

Oh yeah? Tell me more...

 pm sent

[daveb47]

Might be selling my 940

[Wilko220]

Blimey - 940s for sale all over the place!

 

Thanks for the PM, Colc.

[billyboy406v6]

Buy it, before some other shiter does ?

[doobietoo]

The answer to all "should I buy " threads is always Yes....

[carlo]

Sorry but that sunroof and the state of the interior would put me off.  Why the fuck don't they even bother to clean it.

[robinmasters]

Sorry but that sunroof and the state of the interior would put me off.  Why the fuck don't they even bother to clean it.

 

That is comparatively clean, isn't it?

[MarvinsMom]

BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT

[carlo]

That is comparatively clean, isn't it?

 

He's a trader, with some iffy feedback, who can't even be arsed to clean the interior (or even remove a paper bag) from a car he's retailing.  For those reasons alone I'd be wary of the accuracy of his description, especially as you're intending to buy the car blind.  

[Six-cylinder]

I would buy it if I needed a car.

 

Unless you want my Rover 75 Touring?

[rantingYoof]

MOTed in November last year, had three advisories:

• nearside rear Road wheel slightly damaged inner rim buckled (4.2.A.1a)
• front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
• Slight corrosion to near side front (battery tray) but not prescribed area

Less than 2,000 miles since then, and the trader has MOTed it again? I'm an advocate of whacking a 12 month ticket on a car if you're eking out the most you can get in a private sale, but it's rather weird for a trader to do that to a car they're presumably not making much profit on. Weird in a good way I suppose. The cynic in me has noted the lack of advisories on the new ticket, and feel it would be very interesting to see if those advisories have been sorted, or "sorted".

Maybe put in a shitely request to those near enough to Henlow in Bedfordshire to have a hop along to view it for you? £495 ain't much but it'll feel a lot if it's bought blind and turns into a lemon.

[Wilko220]

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and advice. I'm talking to Colc about his 960 which sounds like it might be a safer bet. Just a bit of a logistical issue around our respective locations.

 

Six-Cylinder - I've already had two 75s and absolutely loved them, but probably keen to try something new I think. Would be nice to see some pics/details though.

[stillOrange]

Is my barge too new or price too high?

[Wilko220]

Is my barge too new or price too high?

It looks fantastic but I'm after an estate unfortunately.

[sierraman]

The starting bid is about what it's worth. I'd ring the chap and go and have a look. I'd offer no more then £500 on it if it were me. A few hundred more and your into V70 money, which is much better. What worries me is the lack of description, a lot of car traders do this on bags of shit, not committing too much about its condition, therefore offering little recourse when you buy it and it a heap of shit... 'Well I never said it was in good condition did I?'