Hi,

Apologies if this is the incorrect forum. I am considering buying a used 1998 V90 with only 24,000 miles. With cloth seats and the rest of the V90's standard option lineup, is this a good price at $13,599?

According to KellyBlueBook, it is a fair and reasonable price. My question to the swedespeed people is what kinds of things should I be looking at before deciding to buy this car?

The Maintenance FAQ on this board has been impressive and makes me somewhat nervous! I must admit I am emotionally into the Volvo line -- whenever I would rent a car on business in the late nineties, I always tried to get the 850 wagon. And so I want to ensure my head agrees with my heart on this purchase.

What are typicall repair costs for the V90?

How much work can realistically be performed by a weekend mechanic?

What usually breaks first and fastest on this model and year?

Why did ConsumerReports list this car as one to avoid for reliability reasons?
(consumerreports.com, used cars to avoid)

How is the rust protection on these vehicles?

The vehicle spent its first 4 years in Florida and its next two in Virignia. Are there specific climate issues I should consider/examine? (I live in NC).

Thanks!
Chris.

Thanks everyone for your sage advice. I have decided to pass on this (Carmax) deal. I'll check out eBay for some of your recommendations. I'm also considering the Toyota Avalon, simply because I have a mechanic friend who works for Toyota and can offer me repairs on the cheap.

Cheers & Thanks again!
Chris.

Quote: I'm also considering the Toyota Avalon, simply because I have a mechanic friend who works for Toyota and can offer me repairs on the cheap.

Mullah al Fukua would be happy to read this. Anybody heard of him, btw?

--
M-B S320L ( had 144/80k 440/60k 940TDI/210k S90 80 k )

Ya mean brother Tom Irwin? Not a peep in a long while. Some may still be in touch with him.
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John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 110K

All of the problems that I have encountered with out two vehicles can be repaired by the shadetree mechanic. This list is an EXCELLENT resource.

Known maintenance and failure points :

PNP sensor : Part ~$100
T-belt : Part ~$35 (every 70K miles on this car)
Radiator : Part ~$200 - 250 (lasts about 7 years or 100K miles on avg.)
Sunroof plastic guide covers : Not worth fixing, sunroof still works.
Puckered door panels : some do it, some don't

If you need to pull codes (engine and trans), you will need to drive to an AutoZone type AP store or buy a code reader as this vehicle is OBDII compliant.

Our 98 S90 has been very reliable.(bad PNP)

Use synthetic oil in the engine and in the transmission. You'll be glad you did.

Cloth seats were an option outside the U.S. I would look into this. Has the car been flooded?

If you use the "L" position on the shifter regularly you can delay the PNP sensor failure.

If you turn off your a/c and let the fan run for the last mile or so before parking, you can avoid problem with the evaporator corroding.

We average 23 mpg in mixed driving, and pure highway 26-29 mpg routinely.

If you need to pull codes, you will need to drive to an AutoZone type AP store of buy a code reader as this vehicle is OBDII compliant.

DEWFPO
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1998 S90 071,245 and 1995 964 154,100

I'll just add to what the others said. I have a 960 (and basically the V90 is a rebadged 960) and I like it a lot. It is powerful, comfortable to drive, and has had very few problems (the ones it has had are the predictable ones: puckered door panels, pnp switch, poor a/c). That said, I would only buy one of these cars again if it was very low priced. So I think that 13K is way too much. I would want to look at the $8-9K range (but then I've been called unreasonable before!) or even look at an older 940. I would also agree that maintenance records are critical to the deal. I also have never seen cloth seats in a 960/90. I wonder if they are original or if they are replacement? I'd want to find that out.

Good luck with your deliberations. Let us know what you decide to do.

Mike
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Mike Brown Greenville, NC 1996 965 113K 1994 940 135K 1986 244 137K

I can relate my personal experience with a '98 S90 and I will offer my usual caveat that the following is based on ONLY MY experience with the vehicle. By the time my S90 reached 24K miles, it had been in the shop numerous times for all sorts of stuff, the most serious of which was recurring brake problems. The PNP switch failed several times along with other modules rendering the car inoperative. The sunroof failed three times and it was finally repaired correctly by an independent shop. The door panel upholstery puckered along the window sill on all four doors. A massive engine oil leak kept the car tied up for a week for repairs. Air conditioning and air flow problems occurred along with power seat failures (two) and the front end required all bushings replaced at 54K miles. On the plus side, the car drove nicely and the interior was beautifully appointed. It had plenty of power and superb handling. I just expected more from Volvo than a troublesome car and virtually no support from my dealer or Volvo Cars NA. After 33 years of Volvo ownership I'll never have another one later than a 940. To repeat, these experiences are mine alone. There are several folks out there who have had outstanding luck with their 90 series cars and others who will echo my thoughts. I agree that a lack of maintenance history could spell trouble, all those little things waiting to fail, and the price is way too high.
--
Roy Olson

KBB for dealer trade in value is $8100, while private seller is $10,600. Dealers always charge too much and lie a lot. Your price is much too high. Check Ebay, there are a few out there and will give you a good idea of current values.
If there are no maintenance records, the value is zero. Check the serial numbers of the motor and tranny to see if they match. Pull up the carpet by the spare tire and check for water damage.

Klaus
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95 854T(85K mi), 88 245(165K mi)

$13,500 way too much even for the low mileage. The lack of leather is also very rare in these cars. I would not be scared off by a car that has close to 100k miles. A used 960 was just listed on Craigslist in our area with 313,000 miles still running on the original engine and transmission. Mileage is not the issue with these cars. Its maintenance. Also keep in mind that Kelly blue book is biased to sellers. It is not an honest sale price. If the car is in perfect condition the real transaction price is closer to $13.5k

I can't comment on maintenance cost. Parts are very resoanble from independent retailers. The dealer will shake you down for everything you are worth. I have been able to do all maintenance at home. Never visited any mechanic. But that just depends on how much effort you are willing to put into it. This car is a joy to work on because of the ammount of information available here on brickboard and the dealer service manual. Also unlike most newer FWD cars, there is generous room under the hood to work. very easy car to work on.

PNP switch on the transmission and timing belt along with tensioner and pulleys are the critical items. If the car has NO maintenance history, walk away. If it does, take it to an independent Volvo mechanic and have them give you a detailed report. Also get a Carfax report online.

These cars were built for the long Swedish winters. They come with a very thick undercoating and all metal body panels are galvanized. rear hatch and hood are aluminum. I have never seen rust on these cars.

If the car lived in Florida have it checked for flood damage.
Good luck
Justin