We have a 2001 XC70 w/ almost 79000 miles. We live in Texas but we will be retiring to Vermont in about 4 years. In 2008 we replaced the Turbo. In summer 2009 we replaced the AC, had cam seal work, and replaced the timing belt (pre-emptory strike before it went out.) Now we are having transmission problems (which are apparently common in this model). We had the download, but the Volvo tech was not encouraging about the prospect of a transmission replacement, and it does still seem to be lurching. We know there is some kind of coolant loss, but no one can find it (we replace a little coolant each month). Eventually that is going to go, I guess.
We are at a crossroads in our decision with this car. We have never owned a Volvo before, but if we keep having several thousands of dollars each year in repairs, we wonder if we are throwing good money after bad, especially as we approach retirement. Can we expect to continue to consistently have these expensive repairs on a yearly basis with Volvos from here on out? This model is apparently half Volvo, half Ford. We need honest assessment from people more experienced with this car than we are.
Frustrated Volvo lover
XC70 2001 Continuing repair issues
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billr99
- Posts: 117
- Joined: 28 March 2009
- Year and Model: 2002 V70XC
- Location: Western Head, Nova Scotia
For what its worth, I've had 7 Volvos amongst the total of 45 cars I've had over the last 40 years. Almost all were Euro cars and I've worked and maintained all of them myself. With that background, I can't say what you have experienced with your XC after 80K miles is all that bad. Not great either, but not a lemon.
The turbo going out is a bit odd. I've never had any of my turbos go even with mileages beyond 150K. What occurred that required it to be changed? The cam belt was done too early (should be around 100K). Were you advised to do this? In regard to your transmission, have you ever had the fluid changed? Scan thru this forum as well as all the others an especially volvoxc.com. That should give you a bit more info on the car in general. Frankly, with what little you have mentioned about it, I would question what your service people are telling you. It almost sound like they want toput you into a new car instead of sorting yours out properly.
The '01 XC is not the greatest Volvo ever and like all cars it does require maintenance. I have a '02 with 180K kms on it an have put about $2000 CDN in it over the last year, but it has been pure maintenance items that any current car would require at that mileage. Shocks/struts, cam belt, tie rods, etc. I would expect a similar expenditure with any car (and I'm retired as well so I know the whole fixed income deal)
My honest suggestion is that if you are not comfortable with the car, trade it in on something that you would feel confident in. However, expect similar issues once you get the same level of mileage. Even Toyotas and Hondas require regular maintenance and also have the odd component failure, but their reputation would probably give you a better feeling and that ends up being half the battle of car ownership. On the other hand, if you do the work (come on, you are going to be retired what else will you have to do) or get someone who knows what they are doing, an older Volvo can still be reliable and reasonably cost effective transport if maintained properly.
Good luck,
Bill
The turbo going out is a bit odd. I've never had any of my turbos go even with mileages beyond 150K. What occurred that required it to be changed? The cam belt was done too early (should be around 100K). Were you advised to do this? In regard to your transmission, have you ever had the fluid changed? Scan thru this forum as well as all the others an especially volvoxc.com. That should give you a bit more info on the car in general. Frankly, with what little you have mentioned about it, I would question what your service people are telling you. It almost sound like they want toput you into a new car instead of sorting yours out properly.
The '01 XC is not the greatest Volvo ever and like all cars it does require maintenance. I have a '02 with 180K kms on it an have put about $2000 CDN in it over the last year, but it has been pure maintenance items that any current car would require at that mileage. Shocks/struts, cam belt, tie rods, etc. I would expect a similar expenditure with any car (and I'm retired as well so I know the whole fixed income deal)
My honest suggestion is that if you are not comfortable with the car, trade it in on something that you would feel confident in. However, expect similar issues once you get the same level of mileage. Even Toyotas and Hondas require regular maintenance and also have the odd component failure, but their reputation would probably give you a better feeling and that ends up being half the battle of car ownership. On the other hand, if you do the work (come on, you are going to be retired what else will you have to do) or get someone who knows what they are doing, an older Volvo can still be reliable and reasonably cost effective transport if maintained properly.
Good luck,
Bill
'05 XC70 (Lava Sand)-235K kms to-date
'02 V70XC (Ash Gray)-375K kms to-date
And a whole tonne of other Euro stuff (Volvo (8), VW (6), MB (1), Audi (3), BMW (2), SAAB (5), Land Rover (4), Porsche (2), Opel (1), MG (1), Mini (2), Sunbeam (1))
'02 V70XC (Ash Gray)-375K kms to-date
And a whole tonne of other Euro stuff (Volvo (8), VW (6), MB (1), Audi (3), BMW (2), SAAB (5), Land Rover (4), Porsche (2), Opel (1), MG (1), Mini (2), Sunbeam (1))
Thanks so much for replying! We have performed all the maintenance checks and repairs over the years through the dealer's repair shop, so we have kept it up. Our last round of repairs, timing belt, etc. were done by a local Volvo repair person highly recommended who has been in business for years. The turbo went out when I was driving in town and had to accelerate rapidly to avoid being hit. I looked back and saw huge plumes of white smoke coming out of the back of the car. . My husband and the Volvo guy both assured me it was nothing that I had one.
The next round of repairs were done by a local guy. I think the timing belt was early, but given what we have been through, I am not to upset about that. In case that one broke early, well, I didn't want to go there. However, I have NEVER in all my years of living down here (and we are hard on ACS in this part of the world) had to replace an AC.
The Volvo person who did the transmission download also replaced all the fluid. It is definitely working better, but not perfect. One discussion on this forum mentioned a woman who was going to have to replace ANOTHER transmission. . . made my blood run cold.
I don't mind a few repairs now and then, especially w/ an older car. But if $2k-$4K annually is the norm, we can't do this. That is my basic question. Should we expect $2k annually from here on out?
I will definitely look at the XC.com As for our making the repairs. . . Well if you knew us, you could not stop laughing at the prospect. Every mechanical gene on my husband's side of the family went straight to his brother. None exist on my side. Wish we had some; you are very lucky!
sgouwens
The next round of repairs were done by a local guy. I think the timing belt was early, but given what we have been through, I am not to upset about that. In case that one broke early, well, I didn't want to go there. However, I have NEVER in all my years of living down here (and we are hard on ACS in this part of the world) had to replace an AC.
The Volvo person who did the transmission download also replaced all the fluid. It is definitely working better, but not perfect. One discussion on this forum mentioned a woman who was going to have to replace ANOTHER transmission. . . made my blood run cold.
I don't mind a few repairs now and then, especially w/ an older car. But if $2k-$4K annually is the norm, we can't do this. That is my basic question. Should we expect $2k annually from here on out?
I will definitely look at the XC.com As for our making the repairs. . . Well if you knew us, you could not stop laughing at the prospect. Every mechanical gene on my husband's side of the family went straight to his brother. None exist on my side. Wish we had some; you are very lucky!
sgouwens
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billr99
- Posts: 117
- Joined: 28 March 2009
- Year and Model: 2002 V70XC
- Location: Western Head, Nova Scotia
Hmmm, given what more you have said, my inclination, based on my experience, would be to suggest that you maybe look for a Toyota or Honda as you enter retirement. Just based upon normal Volvo repair costs alone (i.e. parts and labour at shop rates), I would think that $2K a year would be pretty easy to hit. You are starting to get close to what I have called the "100K mile blues". That is the time where you not only have normal maintenance costs but you also start getting things like suspension repairs, etc. All the longer term bits that start giving out at the 100K mark.
As an example, my XC has 180K kms (or 111K miles) and I'm putting on shocks and struts. I'll do the work myself but I suspect that if you would take it to a shop the entire job would be, $750 maybe. I got the bits at FCP Groton which is a good deal place and the parts alone cost me around $525 USD. So if you took this type of work to a shop you are looking at $1200 pretty quick. Now I'm also putting on new springs since there are some horror stories out there on them and I live in an area of rough roads and salt air corrosion. Add another $300 USD to the above. Now add in normal oil changes, etc. over a year and as you can see $2K gets there pretty quickly.
Now a Toyota or similar isn't going to let you off the hook, but typically parts costs are a bit easier and there are enough dealers around to force a more reasonable shop rate. Also VT isn't the most postulated place so depending n where you are going a more "typical" car (i.e. Toyota, Honda, or American (ugh! - except in Burlington where SAABs and Subarus seem to be all over)) might be an easier proposition all around. I live in a place where there are just the American car dealers in town and even the Toyota dealerships are 45minutes or more away. The Volvo dealer (there is no "nearest" as it is the only one) is close to 2 hours away. If I couldn't do most of the work myself and didn't mind doing the mail-order parts routine, I would be driving something totally different.
Hopefully this helps. And welcome to retirement. Its actually pretty decent expect for that whole money part.
Cheers,
Bill
As an example, my XC has 180K kms (or 111K miles) and I'm putting on shocks and struts. I'll do the work myself but I suspect that if you would take it to a shop the entire job would be, $750 maybe. I got the bits at FCP Groton which is a good deal place and the parts alone cost me around $525 USD. So if you took this type of work to a shop you are looking at $1200 pretty quick. Now I'm also putting on new springs since there are some horror stories out there on them and I live in an area of rough roads and salt air corrosion. Add another $300 USD to the above. Now add in normal oil changes, etc. over a year and as you can see $2K gets there pretty quickly.
Now a Toyota or similar isn't going to let you off the hook, but typically parts costs are a bit easier and there are enough dealers around to force a more reasonable shop rate. Also VT isn't the most postulated place so depending n where you are going a more "typical" car (i.e. Toyota, Honda, or American (ugh! - except in Burlington where SAABs and Subarus seem to be all over)) might be an easier proposition all around. I live in a place where there are just the American car dealers in town and even the Toyota dealerships are 45minutes or more away. The Volvo dealer (there is no "nearest" as it is the only one) is close to 2 hours away. If I couldn't do most of the work myself and didn't mind doing the mail-order parts routine, I would be driving something totally different.
Hopefully this helps. And welcome to retirement. Its actually pretty decent expect for that whole money part.
Cheers,
Bill
'05 XC70 (Lava Sand)-235K kms to-date
'02 V70XC (Ash Gray)-375K kms to-date
And a whole tonne of other Euro stuff (Volvo (8), VW (6), MB (1), Audi (3), BMW (2), SAAB (5), Land Rover (4), Porsche (2), Opel (1), MG (1), Mini (2), Sunbeam (1))
'02 V70XC (Ash Gray)-375K kms to-date
And a whole tonne of other Euro stuff (Volvo (8), VW (6), MB (1), Audi (3), BMW (2), SAAB (5), Land Rover (4), Porsche (2), Opel (1), MG (1), Mini (2), Sunbeam (1))
Thanks Bill, this is helpful albeit disappointing. I just love this car. We would be near a Volvo dealer in NH, but even nearer a Subaru dealer in Norwich VT (apparently Subaru is the official state car of VT, 8% of all vehicles there are Subaru) and the new Outback is very similar in features to the XC70. Right now dealers can barely keep those on the lot, but if we can keep the Volvo together till after the holidays they will be a little hungrier than now. Any wisdom on trade in vs selling the car to Carmax?
We look forward to retirement too!
sgouwens
We look forward to retirement too!
sgouwens
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billr99
- Posts: 117
- Joined: 28 March 2009
- Year and Model: 2002 V70XC
- Location: Western Head, Nova Scotia
As far as selling, etc...I'm afraid I can't tell you. I moved away from the States (originally from Ohio) over 12 years ago and before CarMax got started (at least near where I was). Up here with the level of our sales tax and how it is applied on a car sale, it is usually better to trade even though you take a hit on the value of the car you are getting rid of. But that is strictly my opinion. I would suspect that if you tried to sell it yourself you would do the best, but again it all depends on a bunch of factors.
Have fun in VT
Bill
Have fun in VT
Bill
'05 XC70 (Lava Sand)-235K kms to-date
'02 V70XC (Ash Gray)-375K kms to-date
And a whole tonne of other Euro stuff (Volvo (8), VW (6), MB (1), Audi (3), BMW (2), SAAB (5), Land Rover (4), Porsche (2), Opel (1), MG (1), Mini (2), Sunbeam (1))
'02 V70XC (Ash Gray)-375K kms to-date
And a whole tonne of other Euro stuff (Volvo (8), VW (6), MB (1), Audi (3), BMW (2), SAAB (5), Land Rover (4), Porsche (2), Opel (1), MG (1), Mini (2), Sunbeam (1))
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