Volvo 850, cosmetically very nice but blown HG for $600... good deal?
 

So I'm looking at a potential Volvo purchase... here's the ad:

1995 Volvo 850 GLT body/interior near perfect...

The scoop on it is that the car is cosmetically in very nice shape (the interior looks super, the body decent), and it has 90,000 miles on it, but an overheating issue. The owner replied to my e-mail and elaborated on the overheating, saying that it had begun to overheat a bit during local driving but seemed good on the highway. He had stopped driving it much, but thought that maybe it could make it for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, on Thanksgiving, it started to lose power and blow white smoke, so he stopped driving it and thinks that the HG is blown.

He wants $600. He's offering to cut a generous deal on a timing belt, WP, and tstat that he bought for the car. I can get a Fel-Pro gasket HG kit from NAPA for $150 (sales tax included), and although I'd hope that the head isn't cracked, if it is, I can get a Clearwater rebuilt head for $500. That means that with a good head, I can get a very nice, low-mileage 850 for ~$800 + sales tax, and if the head is blown, for ~$1300 + sales tax.

My thinking would be to drive it for a few weeks, see how it compares to the Buick, and then sell one of the two (honestly, the Buick would probably stay). I figure I should be able to make a little bit of money on it and have fun with an 850 at the same time. Volvo is a brand that is close to my heart, which is why I was searching Volvos on CL in the first place... :D. CL is not good for me.

Oh, and this car has the all-important parental approval.

I did notice in the pictures that the driver's-side headlight wiper is somehow messed up, but that's the only issue I've been able to pick up on.

Here's an interior picture. The interior is why I paused on the car in the first place:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...1&d=1419222158

I'd look for a 940T instead. Much more bulletproof drivetrain (B230FT and Aisin/Borgwarner 4-speed auto), and "Arr Dubya Dee" as G-d intended cars to be.

Almost as durable as a W123 or W124.

Yeah, this is more of a hey-look-at-this-potential-good-deal-on-CL kind of thing. While I'd prefer a 240 5-speed wagon, I noticed that this seems like something that could make a decent driver or flip (the Buick would go if I keep it, the Buick would stay if I flip it).

When I'm looking at cars, I'm very willing to compromise in other areas to get a well-kept/low-miles example or one with lots of recent work, hence why I bought the 300SD, kept the Buick, and am looking at this thing. No car will be reliable after 30 years if it hasn't been cared for.

Run as far away from that pos as you can.

X 2
 

JUNK

You do not need this heartache on wheels registered in your name.

Even delete the "Bookmark" from your browser.

ANY Volvo 850 (Even with a good Head gasket) is so far outside it's
designed engineer usable lifespan as to be a certain Train Wreck
waiting to happen to you.

'Only comparison I'd have in a Mercedes would be an ML
that had been Submerged for 6 months in salt water,
and then only detailed to "Fix" the mess.

850s have a lot of notorious problems.

The wife had a 97, we had endless issues with power steering, fuel pumps, and other concerns. I recall we put 3 steering racks in that car. The 5cyl feels no more powerful than a volvo 4cyl, but has the fuel economy of a thirsty 6cyl or 8cyl.
They are comfortable cars, but as volvos go, one of the least desirable. It would be foolish of you to take this on.

You can find a running driving one all day for 1000 to 1200 bucks. Why would you buy a head gasket mess for 600.

What happened to the w126?


Sent from an abacus

Well, let's just say that your Buick has a better reliability rep than that Volvo!

Happy Motoring, Mark

Save up for a 244/245 if you really want a Volvo.

^Disregard what that windbag says - I've found your Swedish dream car: http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/fred-armisen-i-wasnt-told-about-this-with-special-feature-i-m-dying-jerry

One of the nicest looking polished turds I've seen PC.

Pass.

Not enough to be made on that flip, and if you decide to keep, will cause you endless headaches.

Stick with your W126. Why not fix that instead of buying this POS? Volvos are awful cars.

Half right. The old RWD Volvos were pretty awesome.