Help on a 2000 S70 purchase...

runpaulone · Post by **runpaulone** » 27 Jan 2010, 13:44

Hey all-

I'm hoping to move up from my second 1995 850 to a 2000 S70 GLT SE. I'm looking at one nearby that has 90,000 miles on it and seems to be in a nearly flawless visual condition. I'm test-driving it tomorrow, but they only want $3995 for it. This seems to be quite a bit lower than edmunds suggests. It's on a dealer's lot that claims to sell for wholesale prices. I was thinking of offering $3500 if it checks out.

The 850's have been good to me. In fact, probably one of the best used cars I'll ever own. It's just time to move up!

Thanks for the future suggestions.

Post by **jblackburn** » 27 Jan 2010, 14:37

Well, I'm sure having owned the 850's you know well what to look for in terms of mechanical things.

In addition to that, look to see if the ETM has been replaced (there should be a sticker on it) and that the ABS works - I have seen dealers pull the bulb for a non-functioning ABS module.

Timing belt intervals are 105K on the 1999-2000 models. That car's 10 years old now, and that's probably never been replaced, but it is something that you would need to do immediately if you buy it.

Check the PCV system to see if it is clogged.

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 27 Jan 2010, 14:56

I have an 00 V70 SE. I purchased our V70 with about 82K on it three years ago for $6800 and the PO had put a dent in the rear passenger side door and quarter panel after "kissing" a fence post. It now has about 113K.

The main differences that come to mind right off the bat from what you are used to are the electronic throttle, the 5 speed auto transmission, and the variable timing. The tranny is fine, but requires different tranny fluid than your 850s. The variable timing is kind of neutral, but is just one more piece of electronic gadgetry that can complicate the modern car owner's life. It does require a slightly different procedure when changing the timing belt, a not difficult yet an important step when lining up the pulleys.

That leaves the electronic throttle. You will want to read up on it in the MVS forum "Don's ETM Room" (or something like that). All the ones from 99 to around 01 or 02 will eventually fail. I was fortunate that mine failed just prior to the expiration of the 10 year or 200,000 mile extended warranty. You can check to see if the one in your S70 has been replaced - it will have a yellow sticker on it if so. If not, it will fail eventually and it's not cheap but there is a company that has created a replacement unit that does not have the flaw that causes the OEM units to die. If your S70 was already replaced by Volvo, they replaced them with the same original type and it will also fail eventually - but hopefully not for a good while.

The price doesn't seem too out of line from what I've seen. You will find the prices all over the board, but for 90,000 and in very good condition sounds about right. I personally wouldn't want ot pay that much unless they had all the service records and I could verify that it was well cared for.

Did you check nadaguides.com? That can give you additional perspective. You will want to run a carfax on it too (not a guarantee but good to check for obvious negative stuff).

Here is an example of a local Knoxville dealer with a 99 V70 for $3995. This guy has 25 Volvo's listed on his inventory. http://dougjustus.com/webtemplate.aspx?iid=2474243

And last but not least, if you buy it and cannot prove the timing belt has ever been changed - change it immediately. The recommended interval is 105K for this car, but at 10 years old, it would be advisable and cheap insurance against a catastrophic engine failure.

Hope this helps...sorry to be so long winded. Post back with any questions and we'll try to address them as best we can.

Good Luck!

Post by **jblackburn** » 27 Jan 2010, 15:02

GLT still has the less problematic 4-speed from the older models.

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 27 Jan 2010, 15:05

Oops. My bad!

Now that you mentioned it, I remember the the PO on my V70 had the tranny replaced under warranty at around 50K miles.

daddysvolvobus · Post by **daddysvolvobus** » 27 Jan 2010, 19:42

My recommendation is take a friend that knows alot about cars...I bought mine less than a year ago and I've put over 2K in it bc of timing belt,ETM, rack and pinion (fluke in these cars tho) etc...

Just look it over, if it needs a lot of routine maintenance Id look at a different volvo, even if its a little more!

Post by **wheelsup** » 27 Jan 2010, 21:45

If you can do it yourself routine mx can be fairly inexpensive on these cars and pretty straight forward.

They're not Hondas...but still cheap enough.

I found a bill in the 850 I just bought for $80 to diagnose the radiator fan relay...that fix/diagnostic is on here and FCP has the part for like $45 + shipping.

runpaulone · Post by **runpaulone** » 28 Jan 2010, 13:19

I drove the car today, and checked out the carfax report. Here's the summary, with some odd things...

-1 Owner, 90,000mi. - Corporately owned.
-No accidents
-2003, Fuel Pump replaced (seemed a bit strange)
-2004, Motor Mount replaced (another weird thing)
-2004/2005, Power steering pump replaced (Huh? on a 4yr old Volvo?)
-2006/2007, Motor Mount replaced (what? again?)

Besides the weird replacement parts within 3-5 years of the car being new this car is in fantastic shape. One other thing was strange. As I started driving I noticed the wind on the windshield was a bit loud. There seems to be some air leaking in around the passenger side of the windshield. The car has never seen an accident. Any thoughts on this?

Also, the ETM sticker is yellow, which, from my research here means it's been replaced already. There was no indication that it was malfunctioning. Everything else seemed pretty clean - performed very well. I'm going to have my mechanic check everything out tomorrow.

All of your comments/suggestions are deeply appreciated. (btw: I'm selling my 1995 850 GLT)

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Jan 2010, 14:00

The motor mounts are horribly annoying on these cars. I've never had a problem with mounts on any other car. Maybe they did like I did, went to the polyurethane mount, and decided they hated the vibration, and switched back to the standard one.

Fuel pump is strange at that age, but at least you won't have to worry about it dying soon.

They replaced the power steering pump on our 1-year old Honda. That was due to a manufacturing defect across the whole line though - yours may have had a noisy bearing or something. Volvo power steering pumps rarely go bad.

I think they all have their peculiarities. Mine, for instance, looking back at the service records, has eaten 4 air pumps, and nothing else really ever went wrong with it except brakes. I was lucky enough to have to replace another and buy it when everything else started going wrong!

The windshield is strange. It could be a piece of weatherstripping came unglued around the outside?

Also, the ETM sticker is yellow, which, from my research here means it's been replaced already.

Good. Very good. That's an expensive repair once it goes out of warranty.

All things considered, it sounds like a good car to me. IT NEEDS A TIMING BELT THOUGH. And basic other 850 things...wouldn't hurt to do a trans. flush either.

runpaulone · Post by **runpaulone** » 28 Jan 2010, 14:28

Thanks for the quick reply. I don't know too much about car repairs, but I'm learning being that these Volvo's can add up. I've been doing some research on Seafoam as of late. I did it to my boat and Dodge Ram, but I wonder how things go when you do it to the 'ole Volvo's. Have you done this to your S70, jd? On my 850 I can find the PCV valve to run some in to. Any suggestions?

Also, as for the windshield on the prospective S70, I didn't notice anything strange on the outside, but there's definitely an air leak somewhere.