2000 V70XC a hopeless money pit?

WV_driver · Post by **WV_driver** » 21 Jun 2010, 13:48

Bought a 2000 V70 XC last month, and my mechanic says I ought to junk it right now and walk away from my $4,000. Besides 'normal' suspension, motor mount, etc needed, he says that 1998-2001 models are inherently impossibly expensive to repair or maintain, specifically: Blower motor works intermittently, costs $1,000 because of the computer link. Timing belt, another $1,000. But in general, he says that the specific details of these models means that non-OEM parts won't work, and non-Volvo repair shops or home repairs can not service them. Sorry to ask such a vague Q on a site geared to specifics, but I'm looking for a reason to either commit to the car (which I still would like to do, esp. w/the safety concern of a daughter who'll begin driving next year) or to swallow the loss and buy a little piece of crap with my scant remaining money. Thanks, I think.

Post by **JRL** » 21 Jun 2010, 14:31

You need to find a new mechanic ASAP, he's full of crap and a liar!
$1000 for a T belt!!!
Try $300-$350
Blower motor and resistor $250 in parts and one (1) hour labor to install TOPS.
Except for two or three items that need the Volvo computer ANYONE can service them
He means a 2001 and newer, yes, those require much more dealer only work

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 21 Jun 2010, 15:15

Agree w/ JRL. Your mechanic is an idiot. You can most certainly do most repairs at home...you don't need the dealer for most of the things you listed there. Although I would add that Volvo parts are more expensive than Honda/Toyota/etc. Also if you don't plan on doing your own work and you don't have $$ for a dealer or someone else to do the work you probably aren't in a good spot to own a Volvo.

pmortv70xc · Post by **pmortv70xc** » 21 Jun 2010, 15:20

I wouldn't say hopeless - moneypit is arguable - not unlike other volvos. The 2000 is a strange beast because many parts, especially drivetrain are unique to that year. However, I've been driving mine for a year as FWD only - blown bevel gear and driveshaft and I haven't encountered any difficulties - well, there was that one winter driveway I was stuck on...Just replaced my front struts and timing belt - both relatively straightforward. There are lots of parts available online - you just need to go with good ones. My v70xc has 187K has not a spec of rust, despite northern winters and everytime I drive it after driving something else, I'm reminded why I like it. If you aren't willing to do the work yourself, buy a Honda because the dealer repairs can be brutal. Good luck.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 21 Jun 2010, 15:34

pmortv70xc wrote:If you aren't willing to do the work yourself, buy a Honda because the dealer repairs can be brutal. Good luck.

True true. lol

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 21 Jun 2010, 16:26

I love my 2000 XC. Yes, at this age and mileage it tends to need something every thousand miles or so, but if you do your own work for most stuff, you can save thousands. I looked through the service records from when my parents had it (since new) and there were instances of $100 cabin air filter replacements and many other regular wear items that were extremely expensive due to the labor costs.

I think if you look around the forum and are not afraid to ask questions, you'll see that these cars are only a semi-money pit and not nearly as bad as some other cars like Mercedes or BMW...

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 21 Jun 2010, 17:08

Has your mechanic ever worked on a Volvo? Because if he has, I would be afraid. The timing belt kit is no more then 100 bucks and is about 2 hours of labor. As for the suspension, you can get a great set of Bilstein Touring struts for about 100 each or less. The suspension can be labor intensive but still no more then 3 to 4 hours to swap them out.

Do a search of the parts you need to do the job on our website and go from there.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 21 Jun 2010, 18:14

If you want your daughter to be safe, you've chosen the right car.
You just need to find a mechanic with a grain of a clue about your Volvo...
Check around and find a good Volvo shop and you should be good to go.

If you have any mechanical apptittude, this is not that tough a vehicle to maintain.
As stated, parts may be a little more, but do some shopping and they can be reasonable.
Tasca, eEuroparts.com, FCPGroton - All good places to get good prices and service.
And not everything needs to be OEM. Just keep reading and asking questions!

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Jun 2010, 18:55

What part of WV do you live in? If you live in/around Bluefield by any chance, you are like an hour away from me, and I know a great shop here that specializes in Volvos/Saabs that could look it over and tell you what is/isn't wrong with it. But that mechanic sounds like he has no idea what he is talking about. Or I can give it a quick once-over for you.

They are much more expensive to maintain than American Fords and GM cars, but it will also last you much, much longer. As others have said, you will save a LOT of money by doing basic maintenance things yourself. For the most part, the engines are easy to work on, with some things here and there a bit hard to access.

I'm rough on cars by the fact alone that I do a lot of driving, and this car probably knows that better than the others. It has held up very well to the challenge - mechanically, I have had very few problems with it rendering it undriveable. Sure, there is the basic wear-and-tear stuff I've had to deal with, but any car with this amount of miles on it would have the same problems. The electrical bugs do flare up at times, though. The main thing for me, though, is it starts up and goes to work every day without issue...something my temperamental Honda I had through high school & college...well, didn't.

850tech · Post by **850tech** » 21 Jun 2010, 21:24

A car is only as good as the money your willing to dump into it.

All makes, all models, they all have issues you may or may not experience.
My boss has and 04 caravan he's barely spent a cent on, while my mother in-laws exact same model caravan had 2 BCM replacements in it first 5 years, second one not under warranty.

Your mechanic, in my opinion, doesn't want to see your car again because a) He doesn't know enough about them, and b) He doesn't care to learn.

Find a good Volvo specialist and as a last resort go to the dealer, even they would have a hard time jacking a T-Belt job up to a $1000!!!