Buying Another XC

MackMoor · Post by **MackMoor** » 17 Sep 2012, 14:04

I'm buying another Volvo.
I love my 1998 V70XC.
I have a few in mind. Thought I'd post them here and get some opinions.
The 2007 seems to have high miles.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-Vol ... 500wt_1182
2005:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-VOL ... 306wt_1165
And then there's this 2005. My wife doesn't like the high miles. But the CarFax shows consistent maintenance:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-05- ... 540wt_1165
CarFax:
http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/ ... 2851183448
This last one has some bidders (maybe some from here). There is just something about it that I like.

Opinions are more than welcome and encouraged.

Big RIchard

Post by **igel513** » 17 Sep 2012, 15:01

I wouldn't buy a car w/o knowing its maintenance history, w/o test driving it. It's a big gamble, you might end up w/ a money pit.

MackMoor · Post by **MackMoor** » 18 Sep 2012, 01:20

I agree. Test drive I would do first. I don't mind flying out for a little R&R and driving them.
One reason I like the 3rd one is because of the CarFax showing a good amount of maintenance history.
I also have emailed all 3 asking for the records. Let's see who responds.

MackMoor · Post by **MackMoor** » 15 Oct 2012, 00:33

So I'm flying out to NY for work next week. And I have time to check out this XC70:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cross-Co ... 527wt_1165
It has flood damage. Now. Being a SoCal guy, I know nothing of this. I mean, we do get rain. Like last week I had 40 drops on my car. Tons of accidents all over as a result. We don't do rain in San Diego!!!
What effect can this have on the car? Like I said, I can side trip to test drive. Great price.
Any input for those of you in the know would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Post by **chrism** » 15 Oct 2012, 10:11

Insurance companies aren't in the business of dishing out total loss settlements on high-end autos without there being some pretty solid evidence that there really was significant damage - in this case flooding. So let's say this guy picked up the car at the salvage auction and was able to clean it up, replace fluids, and in the end it drives nice. There's still this stigma of having a salvage title that will follow the car forever. Want to know what that means to you in the event you want/need to resell the car in the next couple years? Go ask a used car dealer what the impact to market value is. Most reputable dealers won't touch a car with that history. I'm just guessing that a dark cloud like that on the title cuts the value to 50%. Now is it a bargain?

Post by **matthew1** » 15 Oct 2012, 10:25

P2 Volvos have enough modules (DIM, etc.) as it is. With a flood car, who knows where a pocket of water is hiding, waiting to short out a $1200 module. Pass this. There are more fish in the sea.

Here's my dad's saga with a brake control module in his 1999 S80.

MackMoor · Post by **MackMoor** » 24 Oct 2012, 21:46

Promise. Lat question on this topic.
Engine catches fire. Rebuild or replace? Or neither?
Make that "questions".
And what else would have to be changed.
Just so you all know. I'm really only looking for a 2nd car. Just in case one of us needs it. We both work in the same exact part of town with the same schedule.