Going to go look at 1993 850 nonturbo 100k miles. This would be a car for my 16 year old. Basically a throw away if he wrecks beyond shade tree mechanic repair skills.

Outside of the "normal" prepurchase inspection, I'm looking for issues peculiar to this year and model. Is it odd that it is nonturbo?

Tomorrow it will be gone!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EXTRA-NICE-1990-VOLVO-240-5-SPEED-SEDAN-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ4590952414QQcategoryZ31877QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

nmi

I agree with rust in New England being just as popular as dents in the NYC area. But he was already looking at a 1993 850 with an auto shifter. This just looks like a better car.
Actually, it was really to show that 5 speeds still exist. Beats an automatic with an overdrive, any day. It was refreshing to see an engine bay that wasn't steam cleaned.

Klaus
--
(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

nmi

JR,
This just showed up on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Classic-1-1600-240-wagon-Dont-miss-740-940-850_W0QQitemZ4592048581QQcategoryZ31877QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It is going to be out of my league...

Klaus
--
(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

The 1993 was the first year for the 850, and it has many unique parts which are hard to find. Why not a 1993 240? Lots of parts available, very safe, and its resale value is real good.

Klaus
--
(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

I've got one 93 and have been searching for another decent one. Their getting hard to find. I'de really like to find a manual tranny for him. I grew up with manuals.

Thanks for the point that 93 was the first year. That is certainly something to consider (and I hadn't figured it out).

It's getting cold and easily forgotten...make sure the A/C works. If not, it's probably the evaporator and it's $1200 to replace because you have to take the dashboard out. Other than that, there are a few other irritating things, but nothing that can't be handled for a couple hundred bucks, unless we're talking about an abused engine or transmission. Ask for service records and drive it, make sure it shifts without clunking and get a mechanic to check it out. Great car for your 16 year old by the way! My son will inherit my S70 when he turns 16 as I will be ready for another Volvo by then.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

Thank you for the advice regarding the a/c evaporator. If it has failed, my son "grasshopper" will learn by doing from "the master" who has doen this a few times.

Any issues with oil leaks? the 240 series are infamous for blowing seals out because folks don't keep the oil breather clean.

Any tranny issues?

You may want to look at the instructions for getting to the AC ecaporator before you plunge into this task. Unlike on the 240, the dash innards on the 850-70 are guarded by a couple of improvised explosive devices (the air bags).

Others have pointed out the 50k timing belt, the unique headlights, 4-bolt wheels, brakes, transmission, etc.

We went through this process with my daughter, too, and the bottom line is that after all the dust cleared we still had one Volvo, mine, and my wife drove away in a brand-new Honda Odyssey.

-BTC

'98 V70T5M, 166,000 miles, front IPD stabilizer bar, factory rear bar, factory HD suspension, Bilstein HDs, Volvo tower brace & skidplate, e-code headlights, V-1, Mobil-1

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

The 850s have a flame trap to replace (some just remove) that can cause blown seals if allowed to get clogged. Plugs, dist, rotor every 30k like 240 but parts 2-3x the cost.

Theer have been higher then normal tranny repair issues with the 93. Check the fluid and see if it has ever been changed. Although if still running now and no codes, chances are good it is OK.

93 timing belt is 50k replacement, 94 & up 70k. If belt fails, engine replacement needed.

Good news is I get 28-30 MPG (mostly highway) on my 93

If no AC there are at least electric windows!