I saw the previous gentlemen's thread about a C70 coupe. I'm going tomorrow to look at a '99 C70 with about 150k on it. It's black-on-black manual, the seller is offering it at $4900, KBB says at private sale it should be about $3,000. I don't know if it's a LT or CT, I was going to offer $2,000 as he wants to sell since he lost his license, I will be getting a CarFax and he said it's been Volvo serviced.

I'm contemplating this because I'm being told that my 91 940SE with 228k needs a new engine. My 940SE is in prime condition outside of that and a few other quirks.

Just looking for some advice, general direction.

If the VIN has a "53" buried in the middle of it, it is an HPT model.

Rob

Just got back from looking at the car.

-- Few scratches on the back bumper
-- Passenger side seat has no power
-- Check engine light comes off and on he said
-- Needs a few dash lights
-- Needs two front tires (he has Pirellis on there)
-- Car has been smoked in
-- Leather is good
-- Carpets need scrubbed
-- In-Dash CD changer broke/Six disc in trunk does work
-- Speakers seemed fine
-- Car had a lot of power

So you are looking for deductions. If there is a stuck CD, that can be pulled out with pliers, otherwise a dealer replacement unit is about $400. Even the 3 disk cartridge is not cheap, if it is missing.

Smoke smell and carpets, about $150 at a good detail shop near Pittsburg.

Passenger seat without power, could be a fuse or broken wire. This is a real problem and deserves a $200 deduction. Dealer will have to run diagnostic to find out why.

Bulbs in the dash, no big deal.

Check engine light, about $200-300. Probably an easy vacuum leak fix, but it could be an EVAP leak which is hard to find.

Lots of power? Must be HPT, which is worth $$$$ to the seller.

Klaus
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Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Think about this for a minute - he has is listed at $4900, and maybe a private sale should be $3-4K. The car has been Volvo serviced. Unless the car has some significant problem, $2000 is a lowball offer and an insult. Maybe this is how you bargain, but it sounds pretty odd to me. If you were to look him in the eye and say "I thought you would be motivated to sell because you lost your license," he would probably ask you to leave. If he were that motivated to sell, he wouldn't have listed it at $4900.

Maybe the car is in better than average condition? I paid quite a bit over book for a very nice S70 a few years ago.

You need to see the car to know how much it is worth to you. I would try to forget why the seller is selling and how desperate you think he is. Do enough research to know what the value is, and go from there.

This is the only thought I had - I was pretty upset when I saw you planned to offer $2000, and I think the seller would be also.

If you live in northeastern area. Check this one out. Sounds a little too good.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/1567213108.html

Just like this:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/1563055646.html

Not bad for a 98 S70. AND there is no tear in the door panel?????
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Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Are you thoroughly convinced about the 940 needing an engine? I'm not questioning your decision to change models, I'm just leary of the repair industry.

I don't know. My mechanic is an honest guy, yeah I know what I just said, but I've been going to him for about eight years; everyone in town brings there Volvo to him as it beats the commute to the closest dealership in Pittsburgh and the inconvenience of being in Pittsburgh carless.

I've had a head gasket replacement after my water pump blew up on me going 75 down the highway. I've never felt like the car has been the same after that, I don't know if it's more of a mental thing that I feel it isn't the same. I know the rear main seal is also leaking. I don't have the list in front of me, but he suggested that for the amount of work that needs to be done that getting a new block would be a more economic alternative. He said that he would put all new components in with the new block ie timing belt, O2 sensor etc.

I love the 940SE and would buy another one without question in a heartbeat, it was also my grandfather's and it is excellent shape. I got the car when I was 16 and try to do my best to take care of it and keep it maintained. It's garage kept and I haven't had too many major repairs. I was thinking about investing money into a paint job and essentially get myself a "new" car.

I wasn't trying to lowball the guy, but he said he hasn't had a lot of interest and it's been listed for awhile also. I thought offering $2500 im cash might be an enticing offer, like I said I haven't seen a carfax or the records yet. Going to look this afternoon. This my dilemma... ha.

If it really is a manual transmission, it is worth a bit more money.

In my neck of the woods, an LP is worth about $3K and the HP around $4K, private party. If you lowball by too much, you will only make him angry.

Lowering the price should only be done with valid reasons: bad tranny fluid, scratches/small dents, obvious overspray from repairs, lack of service records, filthy cabin, etc. But the car needs to be seen before a real low offer is submitted.

Klaus
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Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.