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Considering purchasing a 97 850 GLT and need advice 850 1997

posted by  iamhoff on  Wed Jul 16 06:26 CST 2008
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last visit: Wed Jul 16 09:42 CST 2008
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I've never owned a Volvo, but I've always dug the boxy styling and the seats are the best in the business, imho. I do consulting work, and I just got a new assignment that requires a 130 mile round trip on the freeway, 2-3x per week, so I've been looking for a commuter that gets better mpg than my Jeep (just about anything). I came across an ad for a 97 850 GLT automatic that looks good in the pics, but I haven't gotten to see it in person yet (later today). The price is good, but the actual mileage is unknown (seller says the odo shows 83k). With that, I'm skeptical, but I've also seen a few other 850s for sale. What are the trouble spots I should watch out for, and what are the issues I could expect were I to purchase one? Nothing you say will necessarily turn me off of Volvos, but I'm just trying to get an idea of whether the 850 makes financial sense at this time. Thanks in advance for your help.








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    Considering purchasing a 97 850 GLT and need advice 850 1997

    uid 44151's pic
    posted by  woodsytf on  Thu Jul 17 04:06 CST 2008
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    http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/volvo/1097103/850/retrieving_mileage_via_ecu.html

    read this post about retreiving the actual mileage.

    good luck!
    --
    -woodsytf '95 850 wagon 160k








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      Considering purchasing a 97 850 GLT and need advice 850 1997

      posted by  will rehsper on  Thu Jul 17 04:42 CST 2008
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      That procedure is for a pre-1996 car with OBD-I. A '97 would have OBD-II (plug for code reader in the cabin). I don't know for sure, but I doubt Volvo would have put both systems in any car.

      Surely the mileage could be extracted with OBD-II?

      -Will

      --
      850 / Mini








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        Considering purchasing a 97 850 GLT and need advice 850 1997

        posted by  KlausC on  Thu Jul 17 05:33 CST 2008
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        The 1995 turbo had both, OBDII for a scanner and the two DTC boxes. The 1997 ECU does store the mileage somewhere, but can only be retrieved with a Volvoscan tool.
        I would take the car to a dealer and have them do a safety/maint check for $100. While they can get the correct mileage, they will also give you a list of what needs to be done to the car. Then take it to a "real" mechanic to get a second opinion :)

        Replacing the odo gears takes about 2 hours at my house, a fun job. Plus I get the chance of cleaning the panel before putting everything back together again. And, setting the odo to the corret mileage.

        Klaus
        --
        I still miss my 164 and my 854T. Just driving a V70R :)








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    Considering purchasing a 97 850 GLT and need advice 850 1997

    posted by  KlausC on  Wed Jul 16 09:31 CST 2008
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    Something like this:

    http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/car/757605927.html

    The car is 11 years old, expect some of the suspension to also be in need of replacement. Check the tranny fluid, it should be red or at least reddish, not dark brown. The tranny dipstick is down behind the radiator on the driver's side.

    Make sure all of the electricals work. Door stop straps tend to break and the sway bar endlinks probably need replacing (easy).

    The T5 will get around 28mpg highway, the GLT closer to 30mpg. But the T5 is so much more fun :)

    Klaus
    --
    I still miss my 164 and my 854T. Just driving a V70R :)








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      Considering purchasing a 97 850 GLT and need advice 850 1997

      posted by  someone claiming to be fixit2002 on  Thu Jul 17 02:52 CST 2008 [RELATED]

      You'd probably be better off w/ an Accord but .... if you do get the 850 be sure to replace the timing belt ASAP. It's supposed to be replaced at 70k mile intervals but you really don't know if it's overdue with an inop odometer. The odometer gear is about $25 + shipping on line. If you're handy you can replace it yourself although it is a far amount of work and getting the instrument cluster apart is a little tricky. The dealer would probably charge, I would guess, around $150. The dealer charge for the timing belt would be in the $700 - $800 dollar range and of course they're going to find a few other items that also would need attention. So $1000 "out of the blocks" isn't far off.








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      Considering purchasing a 97 850 GLT and need advice 850 1997

      posted by  someone claiming to be fixit2002 on  Thu Jul 17 02:50 CST 2008 [RELATED]

      You'd probably be better off w/ an Accord but .... if you do get the 850 be sure to replace the timing belt ASAP. It's supposed to be replaced at 70k mile intervals but you really don't know if it's overdue with an inop odometer. The odometer gear is about $25 + shipping on line. If you're handy you can replace it yourself although it is a far amount of work and getting the instrument cluster apart is a little tricky. The dealer would probably charge, I would guess, around $150. The dealer charge for the timing belt would be in the $700 - $800 dollar range and of course they're going to find a few other items that also would need attention. So $1000 "out of the blocks" isn't far off.








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    Considering purchasing a 97 850 GLT and need advice 850 1997

    posted by  asc325is on  Wed Jul 16 08:44 CST 2008
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    last visit: Sun Aug 9 18:00 CST 2009
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    Depending on where you are located, you have to worry about the AC system. The evaporator likes to start leaking and trust me, it is NOT a cheap fix.

    As far as the mileage, ask for a carfax. Chances are, the odometer has stopped working due to a broke gear inside the instrument cluster, it's an easy fix, but if it's broken, its harder to get the actual mileage.

    If you hear creaking or cracking in the front suspension, you'll be looking to replace the spring seats and/or strut mounts.

    As far as mileage, I have a 97 NA with a 5 speed, and down here in the HEAT Im onlye getting about 26-28 on the highway and 19 or 20 around town. Not terrible, but it gets better without the AC running full blast.

    Expect to put atleast $1000 into it after the purchase, unless it's immaculate. And budget $1000 a year after that.

    Good luck, and let us know what happens!







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