V70 with blown motor (good value?)

Post by **precopster** » 03 Feb 2011, 11:27

There is a 2001 model year V70 with B5234T selling locally for $3,995. It has 150K miles on it. It would make a great project car for my wife.

The motor is currently removed (but retrievable) at a local garage. I have no info yet on what the engine trouble was, only that it is shot and requires replacement.

These vary in yards at between $9K and 9.5K with similar mileage.

Given that I know nothing about these model years I'm hoping for some input about the reliability of these cars and whether I should offer less (up to $3,200 was my thinking)

otis44 · Post by **otis44** » 03 Feb 2011, 14:06

Given that the 01 V70 is probably one of the most if not the most problematic models of any P2 car I would advise you to steer clear of it unless it is manual. I"m not flaming anyone who owns one and I hope everyone who does gets good service out of theirs, but facts are hard to ignore. There are tons of post on here and almost every other Volvo forum regarding 01 model issues, with the transmission being the most frequent.

As far as buying a car needing an engine, to me it would depend on the price of the car and the price of a replacement engine. I'm not exactly sure what your options would be on this car, but I think I could safely say a t5 engine is going to be harder to come by and pricier than a n/a motor or the 2.4/2/5t. If it were me I'd steer clear based on the model year, regardless of the other circumstances.

Post by **JRL** » 03 Feb 2011, 17:48

No
How many do you want at $500 to $800 like this?
That's almost retail for a GOOD 2001 V70 with mileage over 120K
$9000???? Where do You live, Australia?
A 2001 with 150K miles is a $4995 car DEALER RETAIL anywhere in the US

Post by **precopster** » 03 Feb 2011, 18:36

Thanks otis44 & JRL. I think I'll give it a miss. I have enough problems at the moment with the B6304F in my 960 requiring 24 new valves!!

Second hand Volvos in Australia are pricey. Actually cars in general are pricey here. Dealer parts are inflated by 300-400% compared with VolvoWholesaleParts. I long for a XC90 but even they start at $15,000 here.

They are definitely in no man's land until they are in need of substantial repairs. If it weren't for this site and the ability to order parts from the US I wouldn't even bother with them.

For example my '95 Volvo 850 wagon (NA) sells here in GC for around $4K with around 120-140K miles The 1997-2000 V70s start at around $5K and end up at $8K.

Thanks for the heads up about the 2001s. Even more so a big miss if I can't get in to test-drive the auto which is where all the grief is at.

Post by **JRL** » 03 Feb 2011, 19:12

WOW
Yes, that's the only country I could think of where Volvos are so expensive but you really need to pass on this one

Post by **precopster** » 03 Feb 2011, 19:38

YEP, that's a NO, if you know what I mean.

There's been afew others asking about the 2001s in the forums so I've seen more than afew discussions since my post. With my luck I'd not only end up with a bad auto, but afew more unheard of problems never witnessed before