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Thinking of buying a Volvo?
If you are new to Volvos, please note that Volvos tend to have their own quirks that can be overlooked by mechanics not familiar with them. So, if you are mechanically inclined and would like to do your own service and repairs, take the time to learn about Volvos and the model-specific quirks it may have. If you are not mechanically inclined and would rather someone else did the work, it would be best to have service and repairs done at either a Volvo Dealership and/or an Independant Volvo Repair Shop as they are certified and up-to-date with all the equipment, tools, and service/technical bulletins.
While Volvos are known for their safety and durability, a neglected Volvo will have a shorter lifespan than a well-maintained one.
Look for one with receipts and a documented service history. Most enthusiast Volvo owners will have this all neatly organized and ready for you to puruse without being prompted.
Remember, you get what you pay for, so be wary of a "great car" at a "bargain" price. While these great deals can be found, more often than not, the sellers are trying to unload a neglected car before it becomes a problem and the repair bills start to pile up. If you do decide to purchase a "bargain" car and/or a car with an unknown service history, be prepared to spend anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 in repair bills to "catch-up" on the missed maintenance and any related issues it may have caused.
Still thinking about buying a Volvo?
Then you have come to the right place! Here are some resources to get you started.
Used Volvos
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
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/go/index.jsp?aff=sacbee
-SF Gate:
Tips for looking at Volvos on Craigslist: >From The Browns recent 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/zerothread?id=104634
- 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.
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/
Other Volvo Clubs:
-Golden Gate Chapter VCOA:
http://www.ggvcoa.org/
The GGVCOA is changing their
website/forum format and now
recommends (not NorCal specific):
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/
Roseville Location:
http://www.carmax.com/enUS/search-results/default.html?ADc=70&AZ=95661&Ep=fas:results:state
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
- 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/sales-services/sales/volvo_certified_preowned/Pages/default.aspx
Original link (re-directs to above listed link): http://www.volvocars.com/us/tools/CertifiedPreOwned/Pages/default.aspx
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:
Register your car with Volvo to receive any service bulletins, updates, and other related information directly form Volvo:
http://www.volvocars.com/us/top/community/pages/yourvolvo.aspx
http://www.volvocars.com/us/top/yourvolvo/pages/default.aspx
http://www.volvocars.com/us/top/yourvolvo/register-your-volvo/pages/default.aspx
Original link: http://www.volvocars.com/us/tools/OwnersInfo/Pages/VolvoOwners.aspx
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
Volvo Cars of North America:
Research the latest model specs, options, and accessories
http://www.volvocars.com/us/Pages/default.aspx
Not sure which one best fits your needs?
Compare up to four models at a time:
http://www.volvocars.com/us/explore/pages/compare-models.aspx
Original link: http://www.volvocars.com/us/models/Pages/compare.aspx
New Volvo Reviews:
Automotive.com:
http://www.automotive.com/new-cars/01/volvo/index.html
Cars.com:
http://research.cars.com/go/crp/buyingGuides/Story.jsp?year=New&story=Volvo§ion=makes&subject=makes
Edmunds:
http://www.edmunds.com/volvo/?ps=new
Original link: http://www.edmunds.com/volvo/review.html
Motor Trend:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/01/volvo/index.html
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/advice/buying/articles/index.html
-Kelly Blue Book:
http://www.kbb.com/kbb/Advice/default.aspx
Once you know what you want:
Look for the latest Financial Incentives, Offers, and Services (Look for the "Sales and Services" navigation tab on the top right of the screen / window):
http://www.volvocars.com/us/sales-services/services/volvo_financial_services/pages/default.aspx
http://www.volvocars.com/us/sales-services/sales/offers/pages/default.aspx
http://www.volvocars.com/us/sales-services/services/volvo_maintenance_services/pages/default.aspx
Original link: http://www.volvocars.com/us/salesandservices/Pages/default.aspx
Apply for your VCOA discount ($500 off your new car purchase).
--> Note: This program was discontinued by VCNA. There is no word if it will ever be re-instated. In the meantime, for the latest discount
offers, please check the above link and with your local Volvo dealer.
-For more information, here is a link to a discussion at Swedespeed:
http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=24444&postid=644061
-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/sales-services/sales/Pages/car-configurator.aspx
Original link: http://www.volvocars.com/us/models/Pages/BuildYourVolvo.aspx
Consider the Overseas Delivery Program and "See Europe (& Sweden) By Volvo:"
http://www.volvocars.com/us/sales-services/sales/volvo_overseas_delivery/pages/default.aspx
Original link: http://www.volvocars.com/us/salesandservices/overseasdelivery/Pages/default.aspx
-Turner Volvo Overseas Delivery Information:
Original link no longer functions, so you may need to contact the dealership directly to see if they still participate in this program.
Original link: http://turnervolvo.com/new.overseas.php
Dealership homepage: http://turnervolvo.com/
Article in February 2011 Turner Volvo Newsletter about Overseas Delivery Winter Offer:
http://www.imakenews.com/turnervolvo/e_article002031143.cfm?x=bj8mv8Q,bcqQ1psB
Turner Volvo contact person listed: Jorgen Eiremo at 916-488-2400 or click here to e-mail Jorgen
-Swedespeed Forums Overseas Delivery Discussions:
http://forums.swedespeed.com/zeroforum?id=55
Volvo Overseas Delivery Program- Part 1 of 2 |
Volvo Overseas Delivery Program- Part 2 of 2 |
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:
http://www.volvocars.com/us/top/community/pages/yourvolvo.aspx
http://www.volvocars.com/us/top/yourvolvo/pages/default.aspx
http://www.volvocars.com/us/top/yourvolvo/register-your-volvo/pages/default.aspx
Original link: http://www.volvocars.com/us/tools/OwnersInfo/Pages/VolvoOwners.aspx
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
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