Wow, it's been over 10 years since I was here. I'm looking at a 96 960 w/ 75k miles. I've had a 940, a 950 and 2 850s, but it's been a while. OK, the car is clean, 1 elderly owner, but the car has been sitting for 6 years. I'll paste info from Carfax:
09/02/1997 18,000 Illinois
Inspection Station
Chicago, IL Passed emissions inspection
05/12/1999 33,359 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
09/30/1999 36,000 Illinois
Inspection Station
Chicago, IL Passed emissions inspection
02/14/2001 43,566 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
09/17/2001 46,000 Illinois
Inspection Station
Chicago, IL Passed emissions inspection
12/06/2002 52,778 Service Facility Brakes checked
Fluids checked
Oil and filter changed
03/10/2003 53,923 Service Facility Alignment performed
Fluids checked
Four wheel alignment performed
Front brake pads replaced
Front brake rotor(s) replaced
Oil and filter changed
Steering gear replaced
Tire condition and pressure checked
09/08/2003 56,325 Service Facility Fluids checked
Oil and filter changed
Tire condition and pressure checked
09/09/2003 Illinois
Inspection Station
Chicago, IL Passed emissions inspection
05/05/2004 58,507 Service Facility Maintenance inspection completed
Recommended maintenance performed
Air filter replaced
Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
Battery/charging system checked
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
Cooling system checked
Cooling system serviced
Drive belt(s) replaced
Fluids checked
Fuel filter replaced
Maintenance reminder reset
Oil and filter changed
Spark plug(s) replaced
Steering/suspension checked
Throttle body cleaned/serviced
Tire condition and pressure checked
Tires rotated
08/19/2005 63,000 Illinois
Inspection Station
Chicago, IL Failed emissions inspection
Passed emissions inspection
10/25/2005 Service Facility
Tinley Park, IL Maintenance inspection completed
01/09/2006 Service Facility
Tinley Park, IL Vehicle serviced
04/25/2006 Service Facility
Tinley Park, IL Vehicle serviced
12/11/2006 Service Facility
Tinley Park, IL Maintenance inspection completed
Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
Transmission fluid flushed
01/09/2008 68,890 Howard Orloff Imports, Inc.
Chicago, IL
773-227-3200
orloff.com Maintenance inspection completed
Air filter replaced
Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Light bulb(s) replaced
Oil and filter changed
Timing belt replaced
Timing chain tensioner/guide replaced
07/22/2008 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chicago, IL Registration issued or renewed
07/24/2009 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chicago, IL Registration issued or renewed
07/26/2010 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chicago, IL Registration issued or renewed
08/03/2011 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chicago, IL Registration issued or renewed
Hmm, we haven't received any information on this car since August 2011. Before you buy, ask the seller for recent service or repair records.

SO, looks like the car hasn't really been driven in quite a few years. Was well serviced when it was in use. Like in Jan. of '08, timing belt, mileage-wise, done at the right time (but water pump not replaced). Timing belt has 6,000 miles on it, but, it's almost 9 years old. I'm guessing same with all fluids. Owner's (grown) children are asking $3500, they say it runs well, but battery needs a charge. Car is quite dusty, but has always been garaged. Local Euro auto shop wants $200-ish for pre-purchase inspection. What would you folks think about a 8 year old timing belt with 6,000 miles on it (setting aside the fact that water pump might be 21 years old)?
Some givens that I would think absolutely need to be done, with no other problems on the car: battery, ALL fluids flushed/replaced: oil, transmission, antifreeze, power steering, brake fluid. Assuming everything (big assumption) is A+ (e.g., entire AC unit (good luck) , heater, Nivomats (ha!), suspension, lifters, head gasket, bearings, electrical, bulbs, no tire rot), if I JUST paid a respected Euro shop for fluids flushed, battery, and bc of water pump being original, I'd kinda want to do that, and while they're in there, timing belt, pulleys, tensioners...what is an estimate you folks would guess for that work alone? I'm thinking this would be a great car for a 960 enthusiast who is good with a wrench (I'm not). Since they've held the car 5 years since it's even been registered, I'm not thinking that $$ is a HUGE issue, but I can't just offer them $500 bucks. I also can't afford for this to be a $10,000 car. It will be my daily driver (yikes!).

Let me know what you all think, please. There are images on cars.com, do a 30 mile radius of Chicago, as I said, price is $3,500 if you want to take a peek at it. Other potential buyers, go for it, I don't mind, but just please be respectful, they are nice people.

Thanks, looking forward to responses ;)
Nick Autry

I bought a "little old lady" owned 1996 960 a few months ago, with 105K, I love it. It had a minor transmission issue, so I got it really cheap. If you can't work on it yourself, I wouldn't recommend buying it, unless you buy it for 2 grand or less. You'll need to change all the belts and radiator hoses, and expect the tires to be dry rotting. They are great road cars!

Hola Nick,

I live by Midway airport and I drive a 97/960 which is a fine car with snow tires. The pumps are good for almost 200k on these cars. My car has 168k and still has the original pump which I will probably change on the next belt.

If you do decide to buy the car, I can show you how to do most of the work
needed. I do have 3 other Volvo's.

These are fantastic cars but can be expensive to keep on the road if you are not handy. Timing belt is not that hard to do yourself. Some parts are expensive egs. $1600 for an exhaust system. I really miss mine. One problem I had with mine was the coil packs which lead a hard hot life under a cover. Also had problems with PRND switch. I wish they sold a standard trans version over here. Sounds like a good car. These cars were around $35K new, a lot of money back then, but are probably not worth more than around $1500-2000 now IMHO

Sorry, didn't really answer your question. Timing belt and water pump on 960 is probably a $500 or $600 job? There is no reason not to do water pump when doing timing belt.

Re: water pump, I know, right. Howard Orloff is a respected Volvo dealership here in Chicago. Surprised water pump not changed w timing belt change at 12 years old, expect at request to not do it by owner. Hmmm. But your replies are appreciated, watching for more, even if just for a good laugh. I'd love to own it, but if it's not reasonable, I'll have to settle for something else. Also, I drove my 960 in Colorado, where studded tires were legal. Here in Chicago, it'll be like an ice skate.
Nick.

I drive my 940 with good studless snows in NWI without issues. Chicago folks that work where I do cannot stop complaining about the condition of our plowing (which is honestly more than adequate) so I suspect you would be just fine.

I actually enjoy the driving dynamics of a RWD car in the snow but if you are not used to it, take it easy. Steering with the throttle is fun.

We live in upstate NY and the 960 has good snow performance with an aggressive studless snow tire like Nokian Haakkapellita. So don't let that be a limiter

Low miles or not, it's still a 20 year old car. Our 960 is maintenance intensive (and I'm good with a wrench). If you like it, buy it (they're great cars), but be prepared to spend some money on it. One other issue we have run into with ours is that certain parts are becoming scarce. Good luck.

I have seen 960 on craigslist in NJ for $1000,,,way too high in my opinion,,,