I was offered a relatively clean MY95 850 FWD Wagon/automatic/215K by my Volvo indy for $2500. I'm a current happy 240 owner and had expressed interest in acquiring a 200/700 wagon in the past, hence this offer. I've never had an ownership experience with the FWD Volvos, have heard plenty of sob stories, but have also seen plenty of 850s come through his shop up to 200K. Anyone care to lodge an opinion? Thanks.

My view is that these are $2K cars today, plus maybe 500, minus a 1000 beans. At 200 kmiles, if meticulously maintained, it's great. Most, unfortunately are not, so I usually figure on blowing at grand over time, doing most of work myself. Unless this thing is pristine with records, you can probably do better. Good luck.

Thanks Mike.

Once a car, any car, passes 200K, the value plumets. Even Volvos.

Can the shop print its maintenance history? The timing belt is due, along with water pump. The front control arms should have been replaced, along with the steering connectors (loss of word). Struts?

At $2500, it should need nothing for a year. And hopefully there is a cabin filter and AC that actually works.

Thanks for your feedback. I had that car's maint history since 131K when it was purchased by the current owner and then serviced by my Volvo indy. I can't recall the exact records now but it had the timing belt done and a water pump in the previous 35K. Not sure on struts or steering, but those are items I will be looking for should another 850 come up. Since the post I decided against the offer and instead invested half in repairing my current winter beater, a 98 Saturn.

Check Craigslist for a wide selection of options and asking prices.
That might help you establish a sensible price.

Bill

Thanks Bill. NA auto 850s don't generally go for much around here (sub 1500) but they all look pretty beat. I knew the history of this one, but since the post I decided against the purchase.

Hi,
The price seems quite high for the miles on it , I recently got a 1996 850 Turbo Wagon for $1700.00 with only 145,000 miles.
Make sure you check on when the Timing belt was done , etc
Good luck,
Dave

Last December, I sold my 96 850 t5 w 185 k miles for $4k. The current used car market is .... odd.

Of course, the car has been fanaticly maintained and the new buyer is also a long time customer of the shop that has serviced it since I got the car in '98.

When a car is that old, the condition of that specific car has more to do with the price than any other factor.

Good luck.

isn't a t5 the premium sporting model with a very uncommon 5 speed? Add in good maintenance and parts and that's worth a premium price. I saw a 137k 97 non turbo about 100 miles away that was 2300 asking probably went for less, sold quickly on CL, it had hail damage, 1 replacement door, salvage title, cloth interior, but also 2 owners, new IPD springs, shock/struts, timing belt, many other repairs, seems to be taken care of. I should have bought it. Still looking but also perturbed by the many things that seem to make it inoperable, vs just unpleasant.

Wise words, I agree a car is worth is determined by the condition of the car at the time of sale. Thanks for the input.

Thanks Dave.