Thanks all for the responses!

After seeing what rust does to cars here in the north, I'm very scared of snow-belt cars now. This car is in pristine condition, looks new inside out, and only 70k miles, so I decided to fly down and see. Maybe I found a great car that I can keep for many more years to come.

I did run a Carfax on this vehicle. It showed consistent mileage increments every year, two POs, both registered in Florida. I called a couple of the dealers in the area and asked for service records, and they have a list of regular services, plus seat heater recall, sta-bar link replacement, vacuum hose replacement, front halfshaft replacement...

The owner says he has the service record for the timing belt and the rear main seal, I'll have to ask to see that.

Lastly, about the evaporator... The part itself is ~$150. It seems that it's a pain to access, but that $1000 job quote is mainly for labor, right??

I've already got the ticket, nonrefundable, so I guess I'll be down there this weekend. Hopefully, everything works out well, and I drive it home.

The part I'm really worried about is whether the seller could scam me when I arrive. I'm not ever sure how he could do that... does anyone have any ideas on how I could get scammed when I get there, and how to avoid these scams?

I feel bad that I'm so skeptical, but some dealings with used car sellers, and stories from others, have left me quite cynical. :(

If the car comes with service papers then it is probably OK. Without service records, don't bother. I just bought a 1998 V70R for $9075 - no extra fees - but it had had the front air dam replaced (normal V70 type).

Be prepared to walk away. Is there a policy for 3mo/3,000 mi? Must have! Mine needed a new power steering rack, paid for thank you. No other problems on mine. Got PO email address and went over service history with mechanic.

If your car is a Florida car, it will not have the winter package. More than likely, it came from NYC and the retiree traded the car in. Check CARFAX, $20 bucks and then keep the history with the car papers.
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 88 245(165K mi)

Don't be afraid to walk away. If you gut doesnt feel right eat the airfare and go home. Change the oil before you go home if you buy it.

Since you are MI you might want to consider this one in the Toronto area.

http://www.trader.ca/MSInvestments/Default.asp?Trader=1&CAT=1&mknm=772&
Region=&adid=4036770&dContact=118438&VLot=/MSInvestments&ADS=4036770%
7C&SRVlot=1&SRslts=1&q1=%3D+1&c1=%40category&q3=772&c3=%40makeid&q4=
19113&c4=%40modelcode&q5=&c5=%40adcopy&q6=%3E%3D+1996+and+%3C%3D+1997
&c6=%40year&q7=&c7=%40askprice&q14=&c14=%40subcategory&mknm=772&mdnm
=850&Region=&subcategory=&alpha=

Sorry about the link, you will probably have to cut and paste, but basically its a red '96 854R with auto for $11,900 CDN. There is also another similar one with no price given that has about 209K kms on it, also in Toronto.

Good luck

Duz the car have the cold weather package? You really want that in a car for Mi.
Why have the half shafts been replaced? Seems like a very uncommon repair for that kind of mileage. Add my vote to those who are cautious.

Good luck.

Purchased my 96 850 GLT from a dealer in West Palm Beach Florida last year on EBay. Transaction went very smooth and the car has been fantastic. Flew down on Saturday morning, inspected the car and started home that afternoon. If the car is a true Florida car, then there will by no rust and the value is a bit higher. A few items you might want to follow up on would be:

1. Ask the owner which Volvo shop has done the maintenance and give them a call. With the last six of the VIN they can tell you the service history of the car. This will also tell you if this is a Florida car or southern auction auto. If he can't tell you try calling a few of the dealers in that area (look on Volvo's web site under find a dealer). Knowing the maintenance history is critical to peace of mind.

2. When you examine the car, do a complete test drive and good look over before you sign anything or pay any money. I look for things like body lines to see if the vehicle has been repaired. Take out the spare tire and look for signs of water - remember Florida just had lots of flooding from four hurricanes. The reason I say take out the spare is most detail shops won't remove the spare when cleaning a car. If you are not 100% satisfied walk away.

3. I wouldn't worry with a compression test (the interior of the tail pipe will indicate smoke - bad rings/valves), but I would check the transmission fluid (color) and engine oil color. The auto trannys don't have filters and if the fluid is brown the tranny could be in bad shape. The engine oil will more than likely be new, but check the color anyway.

4. The AC should blow COLD. These units have a history of bad AC evaporators, and that is a minimum $1,000 repair.

Like I said at the beginning, I bought my 850 unseen, but do your homework and if everything checks out drive your prize home. Let us know how it turns out.

Good luck.

Oliver

64 122S
66 1800S
86 245DL
96 850GLT

Hi, thats a very long journey to take a car youve never seen on. Have you considered how much it will cost you should something happen halfway home? Surely you can find something a bit nearer.