2000 V70 Avalanche of repairs, is this normal?

[jblackburn]

I was a poor college student too!

A simple set of tools and ramps will go a long way towards fixing the simple things yourself. Heck, I did axles, brakes, a PCV job, and a transmission repair in an apartment parking lot. Just hide from the leasing office

[E Showell]

If you have no evidence that the oxygen sensors (both) have been replaced, I would consider replacing them asap. They are a maintenance item at 100,000 miles that some folks neglect (don't ask me how I know). Failure to replace them can lead to a burned valve down the road. Bosch only on the oxygen sensors -- front one is usually available through Amazon for about $85 bucks. Not sure of pricing on the rear one.

[Herb Goltz]

For the '99-00 cars they used Denso sensors:

Volvo S70 V70 1999 2000 Denso Oxygen Sensor 8627202

[E Showell]

I stand corrected. Denso is right.

[mtd240]

I bought my '98 XC with 120k miles on it, recent timing belt job (all seals, pulleys, water pump, etc), solid maintenance records with brake, PS, coolant flushes every 30k miles or so.

7/2013 Purchase cost $2500
Trans flush $90
Heater Core, hoses, coupler $300
PCV rebuild, fuel filter, bevel gear fluid $300
Upper Engine Mounts and Trans Mount $100
Spring seats, upper strut mounts, front control arms, end links, struts $800
Inner tie rods and tie rod ends $150
Distributor cap/rotor, spark plug wires $130
Tires $500
Front O2 sensor $75
Radiator, hoses, coolant flush $400
Rear pads/rotors $120
Rear Wheel bearing and axle seal $200
Front wheel bearing $150

Now its at 143k miles. Add in oil changes (and tire rotation) every 4500-5000 miles. That's $3500 spent over 10 months and 20k miles, not including the purchase price. All either Genuine Volvo or OEM parts, DIY.

I can't imagine what it would cost for a shop to do it. To own an older Volvo without any DIY-ing, you need to be wealthy. If you can do it yourself, it's a little better. I love my Volvos, and don't mind doing the extra work to keep my wife safe in the XC.

Note that an automotive "end of life" is "scheduled" (engineered) to occur around 150k miles. Anything is fair game for failure at that point - hence why it is often better to buy a car with ~180k miles rather than 140k - the owner already did all the spending for ya

[instarx]

Well, except for the alternator, calipers and u-joint all the items you named are wear items (calipers can be rebuilt for about $15 ea. btw). It isn't really a valid criticism of any car to say it needed a new battery, tires, brake pads, rotors, and struts since all cars need those replaced periodically. So don't worry about that stuff - its not as bad as it seems.

[instarx]

Note that an automotive "end of life" is "scheduled" (engineered) to occur around 150k miles. Anything is fair game for failure at that point - hence why it is often better to buy a car with ~180k miles rather than 140k - the owner already did all the spending for ya

Excuse me in advance, and I don't mean to be rude, but I think you don't know what you are talking about.

[cn90]

I think mtd240's view is very reasonable. A toaster oven only lasts that long, a laundry washing machine only that lasts long.

Ditto for the car, most car companies have warranty around 3y/36K or so. The reality is if the car is well-maintained, it will easily go to 300K miles. But along the way there are a lot of repair bills.

Back to the topic, any car with 10y/100K needs quite a bit of attention, whether it is a Volvo 850/S70 or a Camry. When looking at my repair bills (I DIY all the time), the list of repair items (brake, tires, PCV, spark plugs, filters etc.) are not unique to Volvo. So, I'd say the FWD version is a very good car for the money.

I'd rather drive a Volvo than a Camry/Accord.

[jblackburn]

Note that an automotive "end of life" is "scheduled" (engineered) to occur around 150k miles. Anything is fair game for failure at that point - hence why it is often better to buy a car with ~180k miles rather than 140k - the owner already did all the spending for ya

Excuse me in advance, and I don't mean to be rude, but I think you don't know what you are talking about.

Idk, everything on mine fell apart right at 150k, all at once. And 7-10 years/120-150K is when most owners do trade up for another vehicle.

The engines/transmissions, no, they'll typically last longer (unless crap from the factory)...but all the bits and pieces intended to wear are typically due for a replacement around that timeframe. Hoses, most suspension pieces (any rubber bits, really), radiators, axles, etc, etc.

[tryingbe]

My 95 850 turbo have 333540 miles on it, but I keep up the maintenance.

I just put over $2000 into it, not counting labor since I do the work.