Any Volvo 740 car experts here? (opinion, please)

[daveindelaware]

We're looking for a second car and my wife knows of a person selling his 1990 Volvo 740 GL sedan. It's an automatic, 4-wheel ABS, cruise control, 198,000 miles. It's very clean, well-taken care of.

Edmund's lists it (for private sale) at a value of $400.

The guy wants $1,400 for it ($800 down, monthly payments can be worked out for remaining balance).

He says a Volvo should live to see 500,000 miles because of where it's made....

I was just wondering what anyone out there thought about this car and if it's worth test-driving and considering?

Thanks.

[Kid Lester]

We're looking for a second car and my wife knows of a person selling his 1990 Volvo 740 GL sedan. It's an automatic, 4-wheel ABS, cruise control, 198,000 miles. It's very clean, well-taken care of.

$1,400 is the low, low end of what that car is worth. If it's in the condition you say it's in, it's worth twice that.

1990 Volvo 740 4 Door Sedan Prices, Values & Specs - NADAguides


These are the prices an insurance company would pay you if that car was stolen or totaled.

I'd say you're getting a good deal on that particular car.

Now, as far as whether or not you should expect to see another 100,000 miles out of it, or if there's some very $$$$ expensive repairs coming your way that are known to be associated with that car, I have NO idea. All I know is, if you bought it for $1400 tomorrow, and next week somebody rear-ended it good, that person's insurance would write you a check for $2,800.

ETA: Personally, I'd be very suspect of buying ANY car with 200k miles on it, unless I felt very, very good about the person selling it to me.

I bought Summerrain's Escort with 175,000 miles on it, but that was because I trusted her. And it was a good purchase for me and a good sale for her.

[Chase]

yes expensive parts and repairs. if it's a good initial buy then great, but that is a lot of miles...its a gamble.

[hockey]

My Volvo's got 118k miles on it and I fully expect to see another 100+k easily.

They are expensive to fix, like an import but they are solid machines. The earlier (pre 2001) have all Swedish bits and pieces unlike the newer Volvo's. This ups the pre 2001 prices on pre-owned Volvo's. I probably would've purchased a new Volvo by now but ever since they sold in 2001.... I'm sticking with my original until it's completely toast. After that.... I'm thinking BMW X5 unless I can find a cool and reliable wagon, which I prefer over SUV's. Newer Volvo's just aren't the same to me.

My mechanic can check it out for you Dave. He is fluent in Volvoneese.

[daveindelaware]

Thanks for the info and input everyone!

The owner seems to be a bit pushy with wanting to sell it to my wife ASAP.

Personally, that's a red flag for me. Like a pushy salesman on the car dealer lot. I hate that kind of game and it makes me lose interest immediately.

Another red flag is the mileage. But if the car is truly built as well as I've heard, then that should be OK.

As for the repair costs, we don't really have any money saved up for a car repair emergency anyway. But to need MORE because it's a Volvo, that just sucks even more.

I'm not liking this car much anymore.....

[hockey]

Thanks for the info and input everyone!

The owner seems to be a bit pushy with wanting to sell it to my wife ASAP.

Personally, that's a red flag for me. Like a pushy salesman on the car dealer lot. I hate that kind of game and it makes me lose interest immediately.

Another red flag is the mileage. But if the car is truly built as well as I've heard, then that should be OK.

As for the repair costs, we don't really have any money saved up for a car repair emergency anyway. But to need MORE because it's a Volvo, that just sucks even more.

I'm not liking this car much anymore.....

Probably a good idea. I once had a 60k mile tune up that cost over $3600.00. The older Volvo's (anything pre 2001) is more expensive because they use the old Volvo parts...not the Chinese or American parts. I think you could find a safer deal somewhere.... Good Luck.

[daveindelaware]

Well, my wife spoke with the guy and got more info:

It's front wheel drive, automatic
has new spark plugs
has new tires
had an oil change
has new speakers and a JVC radio/CD w/ removable face
was winterized already
has heat and A/C that work

I'm torn between a few key points:

He's willing to take a reasonable down payment and then monthly payments until it's paid off. No credit check, etc. It's a very nice-looking car, well maintained, clean. Has a few new items.

vs.

It has a lot of miles. Repairs sound like they'll be more expensive.

I still have to test drive it. Hopefully I'll get a chance to do that soon.

It'll be my wife's final decision, since it's her car and her money. I'm just trying to get opinions so she can make an informed decision.

[hockey]

Well, my wife spoke with the guy and got more info:

It's front wheel drive, automatic
has new spark plugs
has new tires
had an oil change
has new speakers and a JVC radio/CD w/ removable face
was winterized already
has heat and A/C that work

I'm torn between a few key points:

He's willing to take a reasonable down payment and then monthly payments until it's paid off. No credit check, etc. It's a very nice-looking car, well maintained, clean. Has a few new items.

vs.

It has a lot of miles. Repairs sound like they'll be more expensive.

I still have to test drive it. Hopefully I'll get a chance to do that soon.

It'll be my wife's final decision, since it's her car and her money. I'm just trying to get opinions so she can make an informed decision.

I'm not sure where you live or where this Volvo is but I'd be happy to ask my mechanic to check it out for you. Let me know. Does the seller have the service records and can you flip through them? Look for major repairs and ask for a car fax?

Also..... I understand the term "winterized" is complete bullshit. That's a red flag for me.

Looks at these reviews.....(they don't die apparently)
1990 Volvo 740 Consumer Reviews

[Bellicose]

Also..... I understand the term "winterized" is complete bullshit. That's a red flag for me.

has new tires

Winter tires, so therefore it is winterized....lol

I know my neighbor had one, she loved it, something went wrong, please don't ask because I have no clue. Had it replaced, and tried to get it back in time. or something. But it would never happen. Towed it to a mechanic, and he said it was going to cost her like 2 grand or something, more then she paid for the car. Apparently when the problem came it through something else off too, and bent something. So she sold it to them and bought something else.

Mind you the mechanic is that Fairwinds place on 40, pretty sure that is the name, and it seems they really do specialize int he foreign market. Have no idea if they are reputable, or anything. She said they are.

Good Luck Dave, I will keep an eye out for you. I say if you can, get the Carfax, and take Hockey up on letting her Mechanic see it. That is if he lets you, I am going to go with, if he doesn't, then he may be hiding something. So it may be just worth a question to him.

[Chase]

totally forgot, if you can get the VIN, i can run a carfax for you, for free, just PM me the VIN.

[daveindelaware]

totally forgot, if you can get the VIN, i can run a carfax for you, for free, just PM me the VIN.

That's a generous offer, Sir! Thank you.

I'll have her get the VIN from him.

[hockey]

Dave..... is this car a turbo?

If it's not a turbo, the engines are really slow (4 cylinder) known as the "redblock engines". They have their problems according to him and they can last a long time but only if they are really, really, well maintained. (So make sure you go through the service records with the seller). Obviously, he can't comment on that particular car without seeing it first though. So be advised.

[daveindelaware]

I'm 99% sure it is NOT a turbo. But the seller has taken good care of the care and is practically religious with maintenance.

Thanks Chase for the CarFax! That puts my wife's mind at ease.