Buying a 2004 V70R,what to look out for

grntrdbx · Post by **grntrdbx** » 31 Dec 2010, 09:59

I'm looking at a 2004 V70R that has 120k on it. I haven't called the dealership the owner goes to to check the repair and maintainence history, but he has always had it serviced at the same dealer. He doesn't seem like he is a gearhead so I am pretty confident that all maintainence and repairs were done at the dealership. Is there anything major I should look out for or any big repairs you think may be coming up? Sorry I can't give many more details. I had some major headaches with my wife's '99' V70XC and was wondering if I should expect the same headache from this one. I figured that all or most of the same problems that I encountered with the '99' would have been addressed by now on the '04'. Thanks.

jjaV70T · Post by **jjaV70T** » 31 Dec 2010, 20:11

The timing belt done?, the front end work= bushings, spring seats? need struts?.. in a few years? or have then been replaced, 120K could be the limit imo..smell the oil cap..Then sign a wavier and WOT..see how she runs..Have funn..ja

Post by **matthew1** » 31 Dec 2010, 21:05

What jjaV70T said. It all depends on how recently/thoroughly it's been serviced.

As far as I can tell after owning my 2004 V70 R for six months, there are no "gotchas" with them. Except maybe the price of struts, because they're special "4C" struts.

I did a full fluid service right after I bought it.

Tell us more and we'll tell you more.

grntrdbx · Post by **grntrdbx** » 03 Jan 2011, 20:48

I checked with the dealership and all of the repairs and maintainence were done there, even the oil changes. The timing belt was done once, the brakes were just done (I was led to believe that the rotors were not replaced though), the tie rod ends were replaced, the usual front and rear alignments, a swaybar link pin, a new computer and a reprogram (the owner told me he was backing his sailboat into the water and dipped the rearend into the water, supposedly some computer for the car is mounted back there), belt tensioner (I figure it was the one for the timing belt), trans fluid was changed twice (most recently within the last couple of weeks) and some kind of (I thought the service guy said) torque nut, I'm thinking it was on the top of the front struts. It seemed like all of the maintainence ever done was performed at the same dealership. The owner only lives about 10min from the dealer. I am feeling pretty confident about it. When I drove it, it seemed really tight, no obvious rattles or creaks (it has a thule rack on it with a thule box on it that makes noise). The sportier setting on the suspension did seem harsh like I've read but it drove well and had plenty of go. I don't think anyone has ever been in the back seat (the rear seats were down, they take their pooches around in it). It seems like it could use a good detailing but all around a good ride.

Post by **matthew1** » 06 Jan 2011, 15:53

It reads like a pretty good car. Did you run it through Carfax? Did you buy it? How much are they asking?

grntrdbx · Post by **grntrdbx** » 06 Jan 2011, 20:05

I didn't run it through carfax, I haven't bought it yet but plan to, he is asking 10k (including an extra set of goodyear tires, thule rack and thule box and it has a hitch).

Post by **matthew1** » 11 Jan 2011, 11:41

It's a pretty good deal. Barring any surprises, I'd say it's a good $10k spent. At the end of the day, you can only do so much research... you can only be so careful. No matter what you do you're taking a chance buying a used car. But if you minimize your risk by doing your homework like I've outlined in the Volvo Buyer's Guide section of this site, your chances of being happy with it go up.

Of course, offer him less.

Living in Michigan, you'll be relieved to know the P2 V70 Rs are good in snow.

Post by **jimmy57** » 11 Jan 2011, 17:50

IF you buy a 2004 V70R what should you look out for? The policeman holding that laser gun standing out of his cruiser on roadside or the one coming at you with moving radar!