I am considering buying a 1997 850 GLT Sedan and would like some advice as I've never owned a Volvo. Here are the particulars:

1. One owner vehicle - older person who rarely drove
2. 85,000 miles. Odometer is currently not working though
2. Exterior and interior seem extra clean and well kept

Any assistance here is appreciated.

A good Volvo mechanic can retrieve the miles from the instrument cluster via a Volvo scan tool. A new gear can be found for $10, but the cluster must be removed to replace the gear.

If there is any maintenance history, that is a plus. The car is "old", so expect to replace the rubber parts: timing belt, serpentine belt, vacuum lines. Also flush the ATF, PS fluid, antifreeze, and start using synthetic engine oil.

Don't go over 5,000 rpm for the first 500 miles, the car has been sitting for a long time and you need to 'break' it in again.

A Volvo dealer charges about $100 to assess the drive components. They will give you a list of what needs to be done. I suggest not doing anything at the dealer as they are quite expensive and are known to just throw parts at it at your expense.

Treat it gently for a while, then drive it like you stole it for the rest of its life which will be a long time.

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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

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Sounds like a good entry level Volvo for you. Find a local Volvo specialist - not neccessarily the dealer - and have them do a pre-purchase inspection. They will be more familiar with what to look for, and can give you a good bargaining chip when it comes to pricing fairly. Good luck, Volvo's have always been one of my favorite cars to drive.