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