Volvo RWD 900 Forum

INDEX FOR 2/2026(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 12/2000 900 INDEX

[<<]  [>>]


THREADED THREADED EXPANDED FLAT PRINT ALL
MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD




  REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

New user: Will She Make It? 900 1993

This is my first time on a forum and I thought I'd come here for some friendly advice. I am no mechanic, but I love learning on my '94 Toyota pickup the art of home automotive repair. I've been searching for an affordable car that will be able to make the trip from South Carolina to Wisconsin and back (about 2000 mi. round trip) preferably more than once. I have always admired Volvos for their reputation and their style. I am currently looking at a 1993 940 4cyl. wagon with 219,911 miles at a used car lot. I went there the other day to check it out and drive it. At first glance it seems to have been a well taken care of car. The interior and body are in pristine condition. The leather has no cracks, rips, etc. There are no dents, rust or other glaring issues on the outside. The under body has no rust, signs of dripping fluids or oily build up. The engine compartment is clean, the belts and hoses look to be in pretty good shape. The dealer also claimed that the timing belt was replaced in 2012. Here's the bad stuff:

1. Low thumping noise from right front especially when braking or over bumps (warped rotor, bushings?)
2. Slight jerk when when the transmission shifted on the highway (I did have the pedal to the metal)
3. Driver's automatic seat only moved along one of the tracks
4. Sunroof doesn't close all the way will work if done manually
5. Needs new front tires

What I need advice about is whether or not I should attempt to get this car in the condition it needs to be in to make such a trip. With all the manuals, forums and Youtube videos out there I'm pretty confident in my abilities to be able to make most repairs myself. Or am I being naive? The dealer is asking $3000 for it. With the issues I've found, would it be outrageous to suggest a price as low as $2000? Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    New user: Will She Make It? 900 1993

    $3000 is high for that car.
    The 940 is a excellent car, but the resale should be closer to $1500-2000, especially with the few problems that you have listed.

    I bought a 94 Model 940 sedan about 5 years ago for $2100, and it only had 98K miles and all service records. My wife is still driving it.

    You should be able to find a nice 940 for less money.

    I live in Georgia, your prices may vary.

    Just a opinion








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    New user: Will She Make It? 900 1993


    Look for a car with lower miles and as complete a service record as you can find.

    1 Thumping is probably some sort of tie rod suspension issue. Bad rotor would be a repeated vibration felt through the steering wheel. ???

    2 Shifting thump may be shot tranny mount

    3 If seat is auto type with motors, then it needs surgery to work properly.

    4 Sunroofs are a problematic luxury.

    5 Replace tires in set of all four if possible.








  •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

    New user: Will She Make It? 900 1993

    That is a lot of money for a cleaned up car. Not knowing what town you live in, I took a look at this:
    http://savannah.craigslist.org/cto/5275734343.html

    A year newer and less than 150K miles for $1,000. OR:
    http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/5281132338.html

    I suggest shopping around, as even $2K would be a lot. You would need two new tires and some front end work, at the least. The sunroof and seat are DIY items, probably a coin stuck in the seat rail, and, the SR motor needs repositioning.

    Never trust a salesman! there should be a sticker regarding the Timing belt or even better, paper work.

    Remember, anyone with a pressure washer can make an engine compartment look good.

    --
    Keeping it running is better than buying new








    •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

      New user: Will She Make It? 900 1993

      Thanks Klaus. I actually only live 2 hours away from Savannah. I'll take your advice and keep shopping around. It's still gonna be a Volvo though.








      •   REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE    PRINT   SAVE 

        New user: Will She Make It? 900 1993

        It better be a VOLVO!! If you intend to drive up to WS in the winter, take a look at the FWD 850 also. The FWD have harder maintenance in the engine bay and front suspension, but the heater core is easy to replace. But an 850 with bad AC is a real pain. The 850 might be easier to find parts for in a Pick&pull.

        Remember, the body panels are double sided galvanized, so no rust. But check closely anyway. And maintenance history is like finding a few hundred dollars under the back seat, priceless!
        --
        Keeping it running is better than buying new







<< < > >>



©Jarrod Stenberg 1997-2022. All material except where indicated.


All participants agree to these terms.

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.