1996 Volvo 850 T-5 estate, white, manual

[Turbodave]

Volvo 850 T-5 GLT estate
1996 (N)
Manual gearbox
200,000 miles
MOT to August 2023
Black interior
2 keys plus remote
V5c present and correct in my name and address
This is not an ex traffic car

Note: The car is in central Scotland... and I will not deliver it.

Somewhat reluctant sale having purchased this car almost 12 months ago from Peterborough area (train down, drove it home so "you're a bit far doesn't wash with me") and now, having barley done 150 miles during that time and had almost zero time to spend tinkering with it, reluctantly it's being listed for sale.

It's a 27 year old Volvo estate so adjust your expectations accordingly. It's not perfect - the OSF wing is just starting to discolour at the usual points, there's a scab on the NSR lower dog leg, it's had paintwork previously and it's got a couple of minor car park dents but it starts, drives and stops and presents very well both inside and out. It's nigh on factory standard aside for it wearing a set of 16" Perfo alloys... and no, I don't have the originals.

Since buying it I've fitted a standard exhaust complete with catalyst, it's had an O2 sensor, genuine MAF, plugs, leads, all the vacuum lines done, the PCV is good and it doesn't breathe heavily or use fluids, it's had a thermostat, it's got DO88 boost hoses in black, it's never been remapped and it doesn't have anything aftermarket fitted. Brakes are good, no idea if they're 302's on the front and no idea what suspension it's on but it's slightly lower than the comedy stance they had as standard.

Interior is probably nigh on immaculate "for it's age" and factory standard with no evidence of stinky dogs or owners and it all works aside for the aircon which doesn't and nor does the cruise control. Those were and still are on my list of things to do... but my wife, kids and jobs dictate that they too have sizeable to do lists to attend to and thus, the 850 has sat largely ignored under a cover in the garage for the past 12 months. This is, as with most cars of this era, best viewed as an ongoing labour of love and will need the odd weekend tinkering to keep it at it's prime.

I'm in Fife, in Scotland so factor that in first... we have trains, buses, those magic flying things and all of the above will drop you surprisingly close to my house, so close that I'd gladly pick you up if required. I'm more than happy to discuss the car with genuine people - if that's not you, please don't bother as I'm struggling for time just now and really can't spend several evenings sending your paint depth readings or taking diff oil samples away for analysis. Similarly, I'm not remotely interested in a part exchange or swap, please don't ask (unless you have a Legacy Spec B wagon, manual) and I will not entertain low ball offers unseen... or seen for that matter. Basically, if you're interested than be decent, it's all is ask.

Bumper tops have been repainted since the pictures were taken, if that offends you... well...

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£3750.00...

[Clark]

Beautiful car Dave. These white turbo estates look gorgeous and don't come around often (being non ex police too). The price is super reasonable. All the best with the sale and I hope it finds a good home.

[Turbodave]

Appreciated squire.

Unfortunately it's not exactly attracted the best buyers / tyre kickers yet... so it's been a bit frustrating, more so as a big part of me really doesn't want to part with it and hence I'd rather it just went, hassle free. But the more dreamers I get, the more I'm inclined to just leave it in the garage for the foreseeable in the hope I get a) more time and b) my mojo back.... which is why I'm loathed to sell, there won't be another after this is gone and that makes me quite sad.

Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all and all that right...?

[Clark]

Originally Posted by Turbodave

Appreciated squire.

Unfortunately it's not exactly attracted the best buyers / tyre kickers yet... so it's been a bit frustrating, more so as a big part of me really doesn't want to part with it and hence I'd rather it just went, hassle free. But the more dreamers I get, the more I'm inclined to just leave it in the garage for the foreseeable in the hope I get a) more time and b) my mojo back.... which is why I'm loathed to sell, there won't be another after this is gone and that makes me quite sad.

Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all and all that right...?

I've been in a very similar predicament in the past. This forum is great but not always the best for selling. It's worth learning how to use Facebook marketplace. When I put cars up for sale on there they get a lot more interest and sometimes go over selling price. Better to stick on Facebook market place for a few months and not be in a rush to sell.

[rabbitrr]

Nice looking car there Dave, tempted... Very.

SWMBO say's summits got to go off the drive to make room! And it's not her S60 or 850!

You didn't mention the last Cam Belt change? At 200k I assume it must be either approaching or just had one? And how's the roof lining doing, especially to bit on the sun roof shield as they tend to go first.

And as you say, your only in Fife so not very far really....

[Turbodave]

History is sporadic however there is the remains of a sticker under the bonnet suggesting it had a cambelt at 167,000 miles (or maybe 187,000 miles) which puts it around 2010ish if that's correct.

But as with most older cars with patchy history and an untraceable past, I'd take everything with a pinch of salt to be honest. You could buy it and spend a small fortune trying to make it perfect or you could just not care and drive it until the next thing breaks... which it will, it's the nature of the beast.

The irony is, I had it out on Sunday... put a whopping 17 miles on it and it was fine. But then my definition of fine given it's a 27yr old 850 that hasn't seen much use or indeed, much fastidious levels of care over the past few months is that it didn't break down, burst into flames or leak fluids everywhere.

Yes there are niggles, nothing a few weekends work wouldn't fix if you're that way inclined but then again it's not £10... or £5k... but it is old, it isn't perfect and it's probably best viewed as an ongoing / never ending project, but that's where I need a buyer who's attitude towards it matches mine.

Not the utter roaster who, when I was selling my very well worn, very well used 850 T-5R, sent me two full pages of a Word document or his "requirements" and I kid you not, including...

"Are the washer jets of equal pressure and positioning on the screen"

At that point I figured it wasn't not the car for him and I've done the same with this. I've been asked if I can provide invoices for the respray - well no as I didn't say it's been resprayed, I said it's had paintwork. Whether that was in 1998 or 2021... not a clue, don't care but it's not all original. I was asked what suspension it has - again, sorry... no idea aside for knowing it's got coil springs and some shock absorbers. Their origin, not a clue.

Truth be told, having had it out albeit briefly on Sunday... in the sunshine, following an hour of tinkering / swearing at a stiff drivers door lock (now fixed) and having given it a wash to rid it of garage based detritus, I'm actually leaning towards keeping it - it owes me nothing, it works, it's probably on of the last ones left in white... and what else can I buy for £3750 aside for maybe a e-bike.

But I digress in to waffle mode - for now, it's still for sale and it would be best viewed, then perspective buyers can make their own mind up and say "Yes, that's for me there's £3750" or they can say "Thanks for your time, but it's not for me"

They can't say... "Oh well see it's got some stone chips and half a tank of fuel... will you take £2500" or "Will you swap for a diesel S40" or at least they can, but I won't be listening!

[Turbodave]

Not entirely sure why I cant edit the original post, however...

Reduced price to £3500.00

Still not interested in swaps / low offers unseen etc but car is ready and I could do with it away now as the space it's occupied for the past year is now earmarked for something else.

Cheers!

[FifeFlyer]

Hi Dave, did this sell in the end?

Brian

[Turbodave]

Hi Brian,

Yes, it's now sold to chap who got in touch, arranged train travel up from South Wales, arrived, paid and drove it straight back home again... my kinda guy!

Pretty arduous selling process up until that point sadly which has reinforced my belief that Facebook Marketplace, whilst convenient, just seems to be inhabited by 95% of the worlds dreamers, tyres kickers and chancers.

But that's by the by, it's gone and I'm feeling all the better for it.

Cheers