To Buy or Not to Buy.... that is the question!?

[kclock]

As a long time Volvo owner (11 years now), I am in the process of selling my '92 960 to my daughter (75k miles) and have found a 2002 V70 XC AWD for sale. This car is being sold by a local non-profit with no warranty, etc. The 2002 has 86k miles on it and was driven from New Jersey to Oregon multiple times - thus the high miles. They are asking $13.5k for this car. Minor scrape on front rubber bumper - nothing else wrong with it OTHER than the hiccup shifting transmission that I seem to keep reading about in these forums. My '92 Volvo has a hiccupy tranny that no one can figure out. I think I have (PNP Switch for trans has a crack in it and thus gets wet and shorts out).
I'm looking for the expert inputs from anyone on whether or not this may be a long-term bummer to purchase.

[saltydog]

everyone knows my view on this car, but '02 is better than '01. Guaranteed - do NOT expect 960 type service out of this thing, but the price seems in line if not at the top of the scale........caveat emptor.

[kclock]

I'm taking a look at it and driving it today -- we'll see. The price is kind of low and I'm mainly concerned about the transmission. Is it also the 2002 that has irregular tire wear? Is that just 2001 and prior years?
My friends are telling me "just buy a Honda!"

[matthew1]

2003 model year got a better AWD system. 2004 got better steering. One of the two got a bump from 197hp to 208hp.

I don't recall much happening 2001 to 2002.

If you're #1 priority is maintenance costs and/or reliability, do get a Honda, or a Toyota. FWD/AWD Volvos are currently not going to compete with those makes in that category.

[kclock]

Saw your inputs -- I'm concerned enough about the transmission issues with these cars that I cancelled my test drive. I still have my '92 960 that my daughter is chompin' to buy... we'll see what else I find. Thanks for the candid feedback!