Not sure what model/year you want?

• Browse Volvo photos and pictures online and see what catches your eye.
• Follow-up by performing model-specific searches with an internet search engine (Google, Yahoo, etc.).
• Browse our Technical & Model-Specific Resources page.
• Read about the experiences of current owners and common problems associated with the model in the Volvo Forums.
• Search through the forum resources and links.
• Join the forum and ask some questions.
• Even if you plan to do all the mechanical work yourself, say hello and make contact with the Independent Volvo shops in your area (See our Links page). When you find a good one, you should be able to ask a lot of questions to help guide you what to look for, what to avoid, etc. as well as to point you towards good resources in your area (including other reputable Independent Volvo shops in the other cities where you may be searching).
• Independent Shops can also perform Pre-Purchase Car Inspections, so ask about the cost and procedure to set one up.
  

Buying a Used Volvo for Your Teen Driver
By Dave Barton, President of SCVCOA
http://www.scvcoa.org/page17.html
See Web Archive Version:
http://web.archive.org/web/20130826103553/http://www.scvcoa.org/page17.html


Volvo Information and Pricing:
    Edmunds:
    http://www.edmunds.com/

    Kelly Blue Book:
    http://www.kbb.com/

    Nada Guides:
    http://www.nadaguides.com/

    Nada Classic Car Guides:
    http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars

    Antique/Classic Car Appraisal:
    Duncan Labay, Founding Director of VCOA
    http://www.roundfender.us/home.html


To get a general sense of Volvo conditions and prices for your area, look at online classifieds at:
The Volvo Forums. Each forum has their own classifieds section and you may need to register to view and respond to them.

Newspapers: 
    -Sacramento Bee/Cars.com:
     http://www.cars.com/?aff=sacbee 

    -SF Gate:

Tips for looking at Volvos on Craigslist:

From The Browns experience buying a 1998 S70 GLT. 

• For more information and links related to this buying experience, see our post on Swedespeed:

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?104634-S70-V70-V70XC-Buying-Guide-Links-and-Suggestions

• Make sure you discuss important definitions. We found that seller's had very different ideas about what makes a "good" car and what "well-maintained means." Which leads me to my biggest piece of advice:
• Get the car inspected (by someone who knows Volvos and/or the model you are considering) before you purchase (unless you are very mechanically inclined and know a lot about Volvos). The results of this inspection help prioritize what needs to be fixed now, later, or eventually. It can also help with price negotiations.
• Search in bigger and/or wealthier city areas. The cars there are usually better maintained and often have more variety/selection available. I don't know how far you are looking to drive to find a car, but the Bay Area in CA (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/cta/) usually has a good selection of Volvos of various models, vintages, and prices.
• Check the listings often; cars are always being uploaded and sell fast on Craigslist.

     http://sfgate.kaango.com/browse/autos-for-sale-or-lease/902/   

    -LA Times/Cars.com: 
     http://www.cars.com/?aff=latimes
 

Craigslist Home Page:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites

    -Sacramento:
     http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cta/

    -SF Bay Area:
     http://sfbay.craigslist.org/cta/

    -Los Angeles:
     http://losangeles.craigslist.org/cta/

    -Portland, OR:
     http://portland.craigslist.org/cta/


VCOA National Classifieds:
    -http://www.vcoa.org/community/classifieds/categories


VCOA Chapters:
    -Golden Gate Chapter VCOA:
     http://www.ggvcoa.org/

        Run by former GGVCOA President CJ Yother:
        http://volvoclassified.com/

    -Southern CA Chapter VCOA:
     http://www.scvcoa.org/page7.html

IPD:
http://ipdusa.com/classifieds.asp?


Carmax Home Page:
http://www.carmax.com/
    Sacramento-Area store locations:


Auto Trader:
http://www.autotrader.com/


Online Listings for Classic Volvos:
    Auto Trader Classics:
    http://www.autotraderclassics.com/searchresults?action=RESULTS&make_name=VOLVO
    http://www.autotraderclassics.com/

    Collector Car Ads:
    http://www.collectorcarads.com/make/Volvo

    http://www.collectorcarads.com/

    San Diego Volvo Sports America:
    http://www.sdvsa.org/annonser.htm

    http://www.sdvsa.net/?page_id=118

Things to Check Out Before Buying A Used Car (and/or before scheduling an inspection):
    Volvo-Forums Topic:
    http://www.volvo-forums.com/t3118-things-to-checkout-before-buying-a-new-car.htm


Used Car Buying Guides:

Classic Volvo Buying Tips from VolvoTips.com

Netherlands based VolvoTips.com walks you through a detailed checklist of what to look for if considering buying one of the following Volvo Classic models:

• PV / Duett
• Amazon
• P1800
• 140/164
• 240/260
• 740/760/780
• 940/960

    Car Buying Tips:
    http://www.carbuyingtips.com/

    Samarins Used Car Information & Illustrated Guide for Car Buyers and Owners:
    http://www.samarins.com/

    Guides and advice can additionally be found at:
        -Edmunds:

         http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/
        
        -Kelly Blue Book:

When you find a Volvo you are interested in:

• Talk to the seller about scheduling an inspection
  
• Ask for the vehicle's VIN, and:
• Order a CARFAX: http://www.carfax.com/
• Sometimes, members of the Volvo Forums purchase CARFAX subscriptions and offer to run VINs for other members for free, so search through the forums for anyone offering this service.
• Run the VIN through VINCheck: https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck/vincheck
• VINCheck is a free service provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) that searches participating (insurance) databases to see if the vehicle was reported as stolen (but not recovered) and/or salvaged within the past five years.
  
• Call your vehicle insurance provider and ask for a price quote

Certified Pre-Owned Volvos:
http://www.volvocars.com/us/buy/sales/certified-pre-owned


Once you have purchased your Volvo:
Congratulations! We hope you enjoy many years of Volvo-ownership!
And, of course we would love to meet you and your new purchase at any of our local events or gatherings!

But, first, make sure your Volvo is running in tip-top shape, especially if you are considering any performance modifications.
On the Volvo Forums, this is called, "Stage Zero."
From Volvospeed Forums FAQ:
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=21017
Related topics on the Turbobrics Forums:

• "Stage 0, where to begin, the road to performance, mainly 200/700/900 series" http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=28290
• Especially this post: Stage Zero "modifications" http://forums.turbobricks.com/showpost.php?p=266544&postcount=3
• "Staged Performance Modifications for 240's" http://www.turbobricks.com/mods.php?content=art0017

Register your car with Volvo to receive any service bulletins, updates, and other related information directly form Volvo:

http://www.volvocars.com/us/own/owner-info/owners-manuals
or
http://volvo.custhelp.com/app/homeV3

If you recently purchased a new or used Volvo and would like to share your personal experience and/or resources you found helpful, please let us know:
Sac Volvo Club Forum  --and/or--
Website Feedback

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New Volvos

Volvo Cars of North America:
Research the latest model specs, options, and accessories
http://www.volvocars.com/us/


Not sure which one best fits your needs?
http://www.volvocars.com/us/buy/shopping-tools/car-comparison


New Volvo Reviews:
    Automotive.com:

    http://www.automotive.com/volvo/t3-13-2/
    Original Link: http://www.automotive.com/new-cars/01/volvo/index.html

    Cars.com: 

    http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/01/volvo/

   
    Top Gear (UK Television Show):
    http://www.topgear.com/uk/volvo


New Car Buying Guides:
    Car Buying Tips:
    http://www.carbuyingtips.com/

    Guides and advice can additionally be found at:
        -Edmunds:

         http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/
        
        -Kelly Blue Book:

         http://www.kbb.com/


Once you know what you want:
    Look for the latest Financial Incentives, Offers, and Services:

    http://www.volvocars.com/us/buy/purchase/trade-in-value

    Apply for your VCOA discount (Employee Pricing through A-Plan by Volvo Cars North America). 
    --> Note: This A-Plan program does NOT apply to the Overseas Delivery Program. 

        -For more information, here is a link to a discussion at Swedespeed:

       -If you are not a member, see the VCOA sidebar for more information about the club and how to sign up.  

    Build your own Volvo:
    http://www.volvocars.com/us/buy/shopping-tools/build-your-volvo#/model
   
    Consider the Overseas Delivery Program and "See Europe (& Sweden) By Volvo:"
    http://www.volvocars.com/us/buy/shopping-tools/overseas-delivery
                         
            Niello Volvo Overseas Delivery Program Coordinator: Jorgen Eiremo "Swede"
            http://www.imakenews.com/turnervolvo/e_article002031143.cfm?x=bj8mv8Q,bcqQ1psB

Volvo Overseas Delivery Experience Shorter (newer) version

Volvo Overseas Delivery Program Longer (earlier) version

Volvo OSD Testimonial from Willis Volvo Customer describers process of Volvo OSD Program from her local Volvo Dealership

Video Tour of OSD Process from Keystone Volvo Ron from Keystone Volvo takes video of process / facilities including hotel and safety center

Once you have purchased your Volvo:
Congratulations! We hope you enjoy many years of Volvo-ownership!
And, of course we would love to meet you and your new purchase at any of our local events or gatherings!

But, first register your car with Volvo to receive any service bulletins, updates, and other related information directly form Volvo:

If you recently purchased a new or used Volvo and would like to share your personal experience and/or resources you found helpful, please let us know:
Sac Volvo Club Forum  --and/or--
Website Feedback

Go Back to Top of Page