Buying an 850/V70 wagon

[BEJinFbk]

Hold on there...That's kind of a blanket statement. These can be very good drivetrains.
If you take reasonable care of the AWD drive system and don't drive it around like a rally car,
it can be quite reliable. Granted, I wouldn't call it robust, but almost every failure
I've read about on the boards goes back to lack of maintance, abuse or just plain ignorance.

The CV and u-joints in the driveshaft are about the only part that may "wear out" within 150K.
And that's easily dealt with at any good shop that specializes in DS rebuilding. No magic here.
The diff is VERY solid and the bevel gear just needs to stay sealed with good, clean fluid.

And the thing that I like best about it is No Computers, Sensors or Actuators. It ALL mechanical!
In my book, simpler is better.( And it goes like stink in the snow and ice around here! )

Just a difference of opinion, I guess.

[jblackburn]

True. Overall it's not a badly-designed system...IF you take care of it. I think the problem is most people don't take care of the AWD systems on these cars, or were never made aware of the basic maintenance to the AWD system.

How many miles are on yours, Bejinfbk?

I have seen XC's up for sale saying 'problem with AWD system, but car works great'. Drop out the driveshaft, and you've still got a perfectly good wagon, maybe for even cheaper than a normal one would sell for because of the problem. And my FWD only model is great in snow

[matthew1]

I think the important distinction is owning vs buying. If you've owned one for its life, and you've changed fluids/watched tire sizes, you're good. If you're buying, it's another story.

If you're buying a one owner car with records and obvious concern/care for the car, great, if not, be wary. I think that's what Justin's saying (but I can't speak for him). And BEJ, I see your point very clearly, and I have to admit I'd love to own a 1-owner AWD late 90s Volvo for the very reason you pointed out: simplicity.

[whoa]

When I bought my car (not an AWD), I saw the inch-thick folder full of thousand-dollar jobs at the Volvo dealer, and thought, "jeez, what suckers". But that's the person to buy a used car from.

[jblackburn]

If you're buying a one owner car with records and obvious concern/care for the car, great, if not, be wary. I think that's what Justin's saying (but I can't speak for him).

Truely a gem, if you can find one, buy it.

Mine was a 2-owner car, 3 year lease in NJ and then came to NC and was owned by the wife of a mechanic for 6 years, so he had done what needed to be done to it. I've got a manual stuffed full of service receipts from the dealer or an independent Volvo mechanic, and they were up-front with me about it needing a CV joint and the A/C leaking, but it was just a beautiful car.

I saw a GLT just like mine wrecked today, and I think my car cried a little as it drove past. A 350Z had hit it head on. The Volvo actually still looked driveable.