I get $5750 as a kbb private-party value for a '96 855T in "good" condition.

In contrast, I get $6000 as the pp for a '96 BMW 318iA also "good" with 99k mi.

A '96 SAAB 900SA pp same miles and condition is $2458.

Trade-in on the '96 SAAB is $985, which should make you really appreciate the Volvo's depreciation curve!

I guess that if you're $750 more than in my zip you're on the opposite coast, I had been toying with the idea of buying a Volvo for my kid, yet again. The Odyssey minivan I stuck her with may be incredibly reliable but it's not an awful lot of fun to drive.

Anyway, there are a lot of wackos like me looking for sub-$10k but safe cars for their kids. Keep trying!

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 166k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Adams (1952-2001)