1997 v70 first time buyer needs advice

[val_0]

I am looking at buying a 1997 Volvo (http://www.carpages.ca/used/1997/Volvo/Cross_Country/West_Vancouver/British_Columbia/711320). It is listed at a Cross Country and there are no identifiable decals on the vehicle that I can use for more reference. It's an AWD, ~200K km, standard. I would like to find out more about the vehicle but don't know where to look. This car is owned by a family member so I certain that I am pretty certain that I am buying it a good price ($5000 OTD). I saw it in person and took it for a test drive. Except the usual wear and tear on the vehicle I am very satisfied with its condition. Things I am looking for are: original motor that the car came with, any known issues with the vehicle, general specs, etc... Anything that will make this purchase a more sound decision. I have owned a Volvo in the past (940GLE) and loved that car! Thank you for all the input.

[ylstaffer]

It sure looks like an 850 to me BUT I do know that the Canadian versions of these cars are different from the ones we have here in the States. Difficult to tell from the picture but it has an 850 rear hatch and tail lights (amber turn signal lens vs clear). The fact that it's AWD [I]and[I] a stick makes it very cool and impossible to find here. However, it seems to me that $5k is still a bit steep.

[JRL]

My GOD that's nuts and WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too expensive! :confused:
You can buy my 2000 for a little more with 72,000 miles and EXCELLENT.
That looks like a worn out POS
(See classifieds here, 2000 XC)

That doe not look like an XC, only an 850 AWD which Canada had in 1997

[smp375]

That is not a Cross Country, it's simply an AWD V70. It's hard to judge the condition in the picture, but if you're satisfied with the condition, great. However, you can easily find that model for much less than $5000. I wouldn't pay $3500 for that car.

[MacNoob]

OP is in British Columbia - cost of everything is horribly inflated there, so $5k might be the going rate for a 15-year-old car with 120k miles (200k km) on it.

When you can expect to pay close to a million bucks for a tiny two bedroom house that needs work, how's $5k for an old volvo going to make a difference?

[smp375]

Regardless of blue book value in that area, it would be a worthy trip to search further south for an ACTUAL Cross Country (or at least one with the correct tailgate) for less.

[almostarctic]

Around here there are lots of 1st gen v70xc (1998-2000).

THing is you'd have to pay bc aircare but I would look around.

[val_0]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I have decided purchasing this car and instead decided to import one from Japan for the same price. Thanks again!

[JRL]

Japan?
That would be a right hand drive car

[MacNoob]

Japan?
That would be a right hand drive car

There seem to be lots of those around here (especially Nissan Skylines and old Land Cruisers), there must be some kind of exception for Japanese used cars. A 1997 car might be a problem as I believe a car needs to be over 15 years old to get imported without having to meet Canadian standards (in most provinces they still have to pass a safety inspection before they can be licensed, and in BC they might need emissions testing as well).

I can't imagine why someone would choose to import a JDM model of a car that is relatively commonly available in Canada, rather than just buy one here. Maybe the OP will comment.