2000 V70 XC SE want to purchase, but has problems?

Post by **jblackburn** » 05 Aug 2013, 08:09

Bazinga wrote:Are the things that go wrong with this type of car easy to DIY? Could I teach myself how to do things that don't require a lift? I have no mechanical experience whatsoever, but I am a very fast and enthusiastic learner, so feel confident I could teach myself. I wouldn't touch major items, but things like bulbs, etc. I would think should be easy?

P.S. I am already aware of IPD

If you're happy to learn, these cars are a good "beginners" car to start working on. Not quite a VW Beetle, but *most* things can by done by a driveway mechanic with a set of basic tools.

That said, you've seen the maintenance list - stuff like that is considered "normal". If you're not into learning/working on a car often, don't buy one of these Volvos. They like attention - lots of it.

Post by **abscate** » 05 Aug 2013, 08:58

Also - whats your intended use? Daily driver, 15000 miles yearly? Probably not the car to be learning on

Weekend luxury driver or second car - perfect!!

Bazinga · Post by **Bazinga** » 05 Aug 2013, 09:18

It will be our 2nd car (we have a 2005 AWD Toyota Matrix also, and are trying to sell our 2007 Nissan Versa currently). Between our Matrix and Versa, the have 66k and 59k respectively, and we have owned them since their model years (new). So we put very little mileage on our cars, and that was with me driving 40 miles round-trip to work. I am currently not working, but my husband is and drives 26 miles round-trip, so he would take the Matrix. I would be putting 80 miles a week on the Volvo, AT MOST. So it would be my primary car, but that means very little use. We aren't planning on this being another 100,000+ car, but would hope it would get us through at least the next year, maybe two, without HUGE expenses, and then get another used car.

Post by **abscate** » 05 Aug 2013, 10:51

Perfect. At 4000 miles per year, you can easily get 5 years out this car.

Bazinga · Post by **Bazinga** » 05 Aug 2013, 19:39

Thanks again, everyone, for your feedback. We brought it to our mechanic, as well as to a Volvo-only mechanic. The things they pointed out were:

-A/C doesn't work. Signs of leak (owner had it injected, but never brought it back to follow up). Possible compressor replacement (Volvo guy has used ones to help with cost). Also could recharge it to put off replacement for a while.

-A large gouge/chip from a rock in the front driver's headlight case, and reflectors are fogged. Headlamp replacement recommended.

-Rear rotors are rusted solid, and could really feel it while riding. It hasn't been used much over the last 6 months (she got a new car) so this may work itself out with normal use, or may need to replace rotor and break pad.

-Some minor leaks under the engine, but not making it to the ground. Need to fix some seals.

-Bumper clip will need to be replaced in 1-2 years.

-Secondary hood release needs to be replaced.

Both mechanics said that if we didn't buy the car they would! They couldn't say enough about the car and how great it was for the age. They said it would be the perfect Volvo with relatively minor things to do, and nothing that needs to be done right away. They thought $3500 was an amazing price. They thought we could try to knock off a little for the A/C and other items. We called the owner tonight to give her a run down of what we found and figure out when we were going to return the car. SHE told us that she would accept $3000! We didn't even mention offering less, she brought it up. So, I think we will do it for $3000! We might try for $2800 but don't want to push it too much.

Does anyone know where to get headlamp assemblies? How easy are they to replace?

Post by **JRL** » 05 Aug 2013, 19:48

I have a couple of GOOD, CLEAR low mileage headlights for sale.
Email:
jrl eleven ninety four at aol dot com

Bazinga · Post by **Bazinga** » 05 Aug 2013, 21:10

Sent you an email, JRL

Post by **abscate** » 05 Aug 2013, 22:36

If you pull the trigger on the car, search for "bread clip fix" before you spend money on the AC..

Waiting .........

Bazinga · Post by **Bazinga** » 06 Aug 2013, 12:33

Interesting "fix". It might work. But after reading more I suspect it might be the clutch, as it is cycling ever 15-30 seconds. And I mis-typed above, the mechanic it looked like the CONDENSER was leaking (as evidenced by the dye that had been injected a while ago). Would an almost empty condenser cause cycling because it doesn't have enough refrigerant? He said he could repair it with a used one for about $350-450. Is it worth trying to refill the refrigerant on our own to see if that helps before paying for work? Or is it too risky to do without the proper monitoring equipment?

And, we agreed to $2800 on the car!! The lady just wanted to be rid of it, and her insurance runs out next week and doesn't want to make another payment on it. So we put a deposit on it, and are trying to sell our Versa private party between now and next Monday. No bites though.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Aug 2013, 13:40

My guess is it is more likely the evaporator that goes - good news is the part is cheap. Bad news is it is a dash tearout to fix it. I did mine in April. It was character building.

Volvo AC units cycle when operating correctly, so dont panic yet. Jimmy on this Board has the most experience - Ill try to point to some of his threads.