Check ALL the power/electric assist stuff for proper functioning. Windows, antenna, sunroof, seats and seat heaters, rear window demister, etc. Check the climate control unit, esp. the air conditioning.

The radiator, if original, may be ready to fail at the upper hose spigot. Conventional wisdom here is that they have a typical life of 8-10 years. Also consider replacing all cooling system rubber parts with gen. Volvo items.

The automatic boxes are generally very durable (same one as in Lexus V8 of the day), but you can insure this with regular fluid flushes - an easy DIY job every 50k mi. And for that engine, use synthetic oil...5W30 or 10W30.

Check for leaks from engine, trans, cooling system, steering rack and so on...a good mechanic will know. Nice cars (I love mine), but a lot of fancy stuff to go wrong and expensive to repair if you have bad luck with it. Many parts are getting hard to find. As others have noted, strict observance of the timing belt change schedule cannot be overemphasized.
--
Bob: son's XC70, dtr's '94-940, my 81GL, 83-DL, 89-745(V8) and 98-S90. Also 77-MGB and some old motorcycles.

Make sure that the tag on the Timing Belt Cover (opposite from fan) shows that timing belt was done at around 70k miles. If that's the case, you got another 30k miles. If unsure, it needs to be done right away. TB neglect or delay is very unforgiving in these cars.

These are wonderful cars, but if you can't service them yourself, they may get to be very expensive.

Know that you are buying the flagship, probably the best car ever built by Volvo. If car will be driven in snow or ice, snow-tires are a must.
--
1998 V90, 151k miles

Both my 1997 965 and my 1998 S/90 were purchased with most maintenance records and/or from a trusted seller. Both had around 115K miles. Both had the t-belt and other scheduled maintnance done.

There maintenance items that are more critical than the same items on a 240. E.G. the timing belts and other engine-front things. W have a good indie Volvo shop do adn those things at once, since so much of the labor overlaps. Timing belt, serpentine belt, all tensioners and idler rollers, and maybe water pump (since it is inside the t-belt cover and driven by the timing belt).

Whether it needs things like plugs, injectors, etc is hard to tell sans a CEL light. The computers compensate for a wide range of out-of-spec things and even a mild miss is hard to sense.

If the mechanic to whom you will take the candidate is well-experienced Volvo guy, he should find most things. Suspension member like shocks, struts and front suspension members, all four wheel's brake pads, sagginess of the rear fiberglass spring, freshness of tranny fluid, and there's more. Look at the jacking points, too.

Leaks, including either ATF or coolant at the oil cooler (;ocated on the bottom of the oil pan, near the oil filter. Condition of all coolant hoses, including the two to that oil cooler.

While he is checking with the car up on the rack, look over things under there for yourself. Ask what can go wrong with the IRS members. I don't think that year had Nivomat shocks.

Do both power seats work? Do you have the Owner's Manual. Do you have the remote lock/alarm fob? Does the alarm system work? The fobs are available, new, call Borton Volvo for pricing. Not cheap but wonderful to have. Additional ignition keys are a dealer-only item. Have proof of ownership when ordering,

At 210000 miles, my 1997 needed a replacement tranny. New not available, my indie shop found one with a short warranty and 84K miles. Total job was approx 1/2 the cost of just the part for a re-built unit from the Volvo dealer.

Does the candidate car have the winter package? Ambient temp read-out on the dash (icing warning light at 33 degrees), seat heaters, and maybe heated
outside mirrors?

Check all the functions of the ECC system.


Does it have the third row rear-facing child seat? If you don't need it, find someone who does, and give it away. I think it will fit a late model 945 and maybe a 745. Not a 245. If your daughter has to change a flat tire, she'll have a tough time getting at the spare and the jack.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

PS this is too long to check for typos.