We have been shopping for a V50 to replace my S60. I like my wife's V50 so I also want one.

We found a 2008 V50 T5 AWD at a car lot. They gave me the carfax an a few things make me go --- hm?

First is that the car was driven in the Philadelphia area and knowing I95 commute traffic the engine could have a lot more hours on it than the 113,266 on the odometer. I've always cars should have have an hour meter like boats. :)

The cargo carpet is worn a bit and it makes me think I am looking at a car that a sales person was using.

Then I see that on Sept 2009 the car needed new rear brake pads and had been driven 30,939 miles. It was first sold and titled May 2008 and driven 1,933 a month. How much time was it sitting in traffic without accruing miles?

June 2011 with 58,878 miles on the car it is noted Front wheel bearing(s)/hub(s) replaced. Another hm?

August 2012 with 71,324 miles the AC system was serviced
Also the carpet was replaced/repaired - Front carpet replaced.

July 2016 with 112,691 the AC system was flushed and refrigerant charged.

The times that I have known of a needed AC system flush has been after some failure of the compressor, etc. No compressor exchange is noted.

The climate control vent flaps didn't seem to work as well as expected. Changing to the floor was hit or miss. This could just be a need of a computer update??

The PCV hose feels soft not hard and to me that is good. No mention of a PCV job.

Not sure if the car has two ignition keys. If not we would need another one for my wife $$$$.

The car is sitting 6,000 miles from a required timing belt. It is missing the cargo cover, the floor mats, etc. It is needing body work to the hood because it has several big dents as though something fell on the hood. hm?????

It ran fine, a lot of pep, down the road straight, etc. Looks like the previous owner was doing @ 9,000 miles between oil changes.

They have it listed for $10,995. My gut tells me that the real price should be somewhere in the $9,000 range.

Plus after considering the possibility of where and how it was driven --- I'm starting to get gun shy about it. Any ideas?

You have doubts.
Move on, there are plenty of cars out there.

That is what I am thinking. We don't need a car but the S60 has 232,000 on it and is starting to show its age. I am looking for a V50 but they are not as easy to find in my area.

I am also torn a bit because I also have two Subaru wagons and they are much easier to work on than the Volvo's.

For me, I find the trim package and body style of the Volvo more appealing and that is what gives Volvo the edge over the Subaru.

About a year and a half ago, we went out looking for a Suburu for the Missus. What we found (at a Suburu dealer ) was a cherry 2008 V50 with about 51,000 miles. Perfect condition, everything worked, one owner, dealer serviced since new. Paid less than your seller is asking.

From what you describe, even $9,000 seems like a stretch. even with two keys.

When I said $9000 I was thinking about how discomforting it would be for me to offer what I consider a fair price for this car. The $9000 was me thinking kindly but the buy-right consumer in me was really thinking $8000.

My wife loves her V50, says it is the best car she ever owned.

Keep looking for a better example. You really don't want this one.

--
Keeping it running is better than buying new

We passed on it. After seeing the shoddy repair they did to the hood, what hidden problems exist?