Thanks for all the insights! I reckon I'll have to give this one a little thought. The basic deal is... The fella selling the XC to my brother and his wife is a Volvo only mechanic, and someone we've all known for a while and he's sort of a friend... He's the one that sold said 850 to them about a 6 months ago, and he's offering full trade in value for the XC they are getting (which is a hell of a deal... less than 80k miles and only $8000, or $5500 with the trade).

As I mentioned, I'm a vintage Volvo guy, and odds are about 99% that if my 122 or 145 breaks down, I'll be able to fix it roadside. I can't do that with a 850, and that's my largest concern. I would never touch a 740, and 240s are great, but... they ain't nothin' new.

I definitely don't need another car. I've got plenty that work. Its just the thought of having something that always starts, has a good heater, and is comfy. It would sorta be like something I've never had. Newest car I've ever owned was a '84 240.... which seemed pretty luxurious to me at the time.

We'll see what happens... I've probably got till Monday to make up my mind...

-Matt

For that price you could by a lower milage 240. However, I have never seen a 850 that cheap before. Check the car for any leaks. Specifically the rear main seal. You also might look at a 740 or 940 as these were also nice rear wheel drive cars like the 240.

Good luck and Happy Bricking.

There are lots of 850 out there. I would look around.
Maybe you'll spend abit more but the mileage will be lower.
I would recommend at least a glt model. But would definately recommend getting a turbo model. Huge difference.

BTW the traction control is part of a winter package. Which has headlight wipers, heated seats.

Check Edmunds.com for the "trade in value".

In my zip code it comes out around $2000 ... even considering the miles.

If this were a pig-in-a-poke from a used car dealer I'd probably walk, no RUN away from it. However, if it's from relative, and you can get the complete service history, and it checks out ie. oil consumption and oil pressure, etc. I just might bite!

That it has 210k on it and just had the timing belt right on schedule bodes well. Most sellers would just say "**** it, leave it to the new owner!"

(Frank's a Volvo tech so weigh his wisdom accordingly, of course.)

-Sami

98 V70T5M, 134k mi., iPd stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, Bilstein HD struts and shocks, Valentine-1, Mobil-1 always, E-code headlight lenses, Michelin Arctic Alpins

Looks like a good price. I have a 1993 850 with about the same milage.
I had it for about 4 years now. No problems with the engine....engines are
good and I think will easly last to 400k. The problem is all the other things....mostly electronic problems. I also heard the automatic tranny is not that good.

Good Luck.

If miles, I personally wouldn't pay that much for it as (being in the auto business), I know that it's only worth $500 to a wholesaler.
IMHO, the 850s are OK cars BUT I have my doubts that they'll last nearly as long in mileage terms as the older red engine 4 cyl cars w/o spending some serious cash for major repairs along the way.
It also depends on how well THAT car was maintained. If maintained VERY well, it could be a good car BUT if poorly maintained, it might be ready to give up the ghost too.

210k kilometers or miles? My '94 has just short of 210,000 km. It's just broken in!