So a friend of a friend just picked up a nice looking 850 GLT for "adventures" in the Bay Area. Both my friend and I had a few warning flags pop up in the sellers comments but she was intent on the purchase.

As she plans on long distance travels and camping in the metal tent, I would love it if a Brickboard member could give it a once-over before she starts roaming. She is car savvy but not currently up on doing her own wrenching...yet.

Any takers?

How about Iroll:

http://www.irollmotors.com/

She could call them, its not that far from Mountain View, just south on 101.

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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Thanks...passed it on.

Maybe this guy, or the builder would look at it.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/d/98-v70r-5-speed/6320042943.html
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Farewell 'black manta' ('97 850) Hello 'rocket sled' ('06 V70R)

Worth a shot!?

$6000 is a bit steep...

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Keeping it running is better than buying new

yup for 300K mi
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Farewell 'black manta' ('97 850) Hello 'rocket sled' ('06 V70R)

Many gifted here.
Test drive tells a lot. Service records more. Meticulous owner, or otherwise? Many issues are common and covered well here. The more research, the better. If the owner has done all the major issues then only regular maintenance, and smooth sailing. You didn't mention year, mileage, and what those red flags might be. Specific questions might be answered well here.
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Farewell 'black manta' ('97 850) Hello 'rocket sled' ('06 V70R)

I am already familiar with a lot of the common issues and actually directed her toward a pre-2001 V70/850. Comment from the seller like this means he is either lying to her or clueless:

"I just changed the fuel filter and I'm getting a tiny bit of hesitation now. I think the change might have affected the injectors"

"I used the wrong oil and it started leaking. I used some sealer and it stopped."

1996 850 GLT wagon. Listing will drop soon when she closes the deal.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/6370129167.html

I may not have been clear but if I have specific questions I do not already know the answers to I will ask them.

This post is about the desire to find a human body in her area willing to take a look at the car. I rarely direct people to old Volvo's unless it can be firsthand inspected and brought up to spec by me or a trusted Brickboard member. Alternatively a Volvo specialty shop with a good reputation from members of this group.

I find in my 20 years of owning and wrenching on a few dozen of them that despite what some wish to believe, they are more durable than reliable for the average owner. This works in my favor as I can get great deals on cars with simple known issues that the unknowledgeable (technically ignorant but most find that an insult) allowed their mechanic to throw expensive parts at until they gave up. These cars CAN be both reliable and durable but knowledge and the application of that knowledge is the only way to accomplish it.

Your comment about Volvo's being more durable than reliable rings true with me! That statement exactly mirrors my experience with my 3 Volvo's (RWD and FWD). There are people out there who clearly believe that Volvo's run forever without any repairs or problems. Wrong!!

Sorry to have talked like you're a noob, but I thought it something of a long shot that you'd be able to get someone in the area, and addressing by thread or email...Ad looks good to me, though not a mechanic, just experienced with '97 and did lots myself. I would come look if it were NYC. Red flags are a little weird. Hesitation could be dirty MAF (easy fix /diag attempt) Oil leak what's "wrong oil?" if he did PCV, that might have been to try to address leak. Where was the leak coming from? Dreaded rear main seal? Don't really want additive in there. BTW how much oil does it go through normally? Synth or regular? Visible varnish or clean? Records or diary?
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Farewell 'black manta' ('97 850) Hello 'rocket sled' ('06 V70R)

No issue as I have never been a fixture on the AWD board...shunned them for years but started collecting knowledge on them about 3 years ago as it appeared inevitable I would end up with one...and I do as of less than a month ago.

FYI, even back when I joined the first time (1999?) there were THREE very active member of the BB in Northwest, OK so one in in the Bay area did not seem that much a stretch...thought even the RWD board has gotten MUCH less active.