Buy a 960 with Rebuilt Engine?

I am looking for a used wagon, came across a 1993 960 at the
local Volvo dealer.

It's a one owner car with around 150K miles, all servicing done at
dealer. They told me their service department recently messed
something up to do with the timing belt which messed up the engine.

a new Volvo and had their mechanics fix it. The Salesman said that
the "top of the engine was rebuilt"

He told me this right away like it was a plus about the car, in that
it will now last longer. But I am a little leery about anything
rebuilt or reconditioned.

They are warrantying the car for 3months/3000

Anything I should be concerned about?

Cheers

 

Sounds like they got the timing belt set wrong and bent the valves,
that's an interference engine so the pistons and valves will crash if
the belt breaks or is not timed correctly. So long as they did the work
right, that alone isn't a reason to avoid the car. By "rebuilt" they
likely replaced a number of the valves and possibly guides.

 

All things being equal, it is a plus, as the parts would be new.

The warranty shows they back it up.

 

Double check what was replaced! If the valves were replaced due to
crash, so should the pistons be. Or certified OK. Request extended
warranty if failure occurs related to the parts involved. Make them
certify in writing what happened to the engine.

/ Johan

 

Ive got a 95 850 with 97,000 everything works great and the car is a
cream puff, i'll take $ 7,500 for it

 

I would find out what was done. If all they did was valves it is at
best of neutral value because the rest of the car still has 150,000
miles and valves are not usually a problem until beyond 300k. If the
motor was not well maintained the increase in pressure from new valves
might actually increase blowby if they didn't do rings and cylinders at
the same time.

Trade Pvt. Party Dealer
$1,034 $1,560 $2,439

Here's the prices from Edmunds. How do they compare with what the
dealer is asking.

 

I had the salesman find out more info.
He talked to the technician who did the work, who said that the only
original piece was the block, all other parts were new.
They are warrantying their engine work for 1 year.

Not sure how you got those prices, When I run an Edmunds it comes up
with $3850 as a dealer price, KBB $4700 and NADA $4800

They had it listed for $5500, I talked it down to $4400, with new tires
& brakes

 

If that's true then the car looks like a so - so deal. I would ask for the
engine warrantee in writing. I would think the crank and the cam and
perhaps the rods are still original as well.

Just bear in mind that the engine it's self is ok, the electronics, the
transmission, and loads of little and not so little things could also be
wrong with the car. I guess they gave almost nothing and spent less the
$2000 with internal costs on the repairs, so they are doing ok.

Is there any coverage on other systems like the trans, et al?

It might be a good idea to have a local independent guy who knows Volvos
check the car over, but it sounds like an ok deal if the car is clean, just
look at what you can buy a 960 for on www.ebaymotors.com first, you are
paying a dealer premium, but there is very little chance that the Volvo
dealer is selling you a car with anything major that they know is wrong. If
your state does not require the seller to disclose all known problems with
the car you could draw up a disclosure form and require them to sign it as
part of the deal.

 

yes the rest of the car is covered by their standard 3month/3000miles
used car warranty

I have been looking on Ebay, and prices are certainly better, but
nothing local.
I am kinda reluctant to buy a car that will be my daily driver without
testing it or even seeing it first.

 

I input the miles, gave it one of the two options and gave it an
average condition, which is usually appropriate for most 13 year old
cars.

 

And you can't really compare ebaymotors to a traditional dealership. How much
warranty do you get at eBay???
To me it sounds like a take.

Johan Plane
Uppsala, Sweden

 

Good freaking luck finding a 960 for those prices around here, even a
tired one.

 

I believe 30 days. You are quite right however...one needs to do a cost
benefit analysis here.

 

Do you like the 960?
If so and if they will give you a statement that there is nothing wrong with
the car that they know about buy it, and enjoy safe, comfortable motoring!

Any used car, save perhaps a CPO lexus 330 or Toyota Camry is a bit of a
risk, and to get the level of car that the 960 is in a different make would
cost a WHOLE lot more.

 

That is a 13 year old car with 150,000 miles, so the Edmunds prices are
about right for an old used car. I realize the dealer wants to get
their money back, but a rebuilt motor really adds little to the overall
longevity of the vehicle since all of the other vehicle systems are old
with wear. Things like the transmission, powersteering rack, AC
compressor, power equipment, etc., will die long before a motor with
150,000 miles.
The range in prices given by Edmunds seems reasonable for a car with
that amount of miles. If the buyer wants to go ahead, he will I'm sure
get several years of service from the car, but the price he is paying
is at the top of the market.

Trade Private Dealer
Outstanding $1,422 $2,081 $3,175
Average $1,034 $1,560 $2,439
Rough $715 $1,127 $1,809

 

Depends on location really, those prices overall are about half what I
typically see them selling for.