2005 V50 Purchase Decision

Post by **rmmagow** » 27 Jul 2014, 10:14

I found a 2 owner V50 with good service records but seemingly high mileage, 150K. Looks good, can't drive it until later and is at a main-line dealer as opposed to used car dealer, not a Volvo dealer but mini, mb, jag etc.
I drive a 222K v70 so feel mileage won't be an issue engine-wise but need a little warm-fuzzies from the group as to how this might affect a V50. Can I put aside these concerns and look at this car hitting 250K as long as it's cared for? Any inherent weakness I should look for? Wheel bearings, transmission etc. Price seems to check out at a tad over 6K. This wouldbe the newest car I ever owned and be for my wife for her daily, mostly around town use. I'm not a master mechanic but can easily take care of thing like axles, wheels bearing, general maintenance etc.

Post by **rmmagow** » 27 Jul 2014, 10:17

PS, it is a T5

Post by **precopster** » 27 Jul 2014, 15:37

I saw one of these go at auction here for a tad over 3K with 300,000kms.

It wasn't a T5. The V50s have the AW55-51SN trans which is well sorted but do look out for lack of fluid changes.

I DO really like the V50s as a direct replacement for the wife's 850 sedan. How does interior space compare? I drove a S40 2000 and felt it was too small for baby seats in the rear. Is the later shape wider?

What I really like about them is the lack of subframe for engine/trans which makes for really easy access to valve body cover and transmission removal. Hopefully in your case you won't be needing this feature.

Post by **rmmagow** » 27 Jul 2014, 16:04

Yeah, tranny removal feature would be one I wouldn't want right away

I went to look at the one I mentioned and it is a nice wagon. I'm replacing my wife's S70 and through the miracle of letting her use my V70 for a few days won her over from the S designation. She like that she can go to Home Depot and plop a bag or two of mulch in it and as a grocery getter it is hard to beat a wagon/hatchback.
I found another one, 05, 148K small bucks and a private sale. Cash would work well there I think. The initial one, 150K at a top rated non-Volvo dealer comes without a warranty anyway, so cheaper is better.
Is it a safe bet that I can care for this car? I drive a 98 V70, 222K miles and fix it pretty much all on my own. I farm out work that doesn't matter like replacing Strut caps and such, heavy labor but simple. This site keeps me out of trouble for diagnostics and other than rubber bits, my V70 runs good and runs with no codes. No little rugrats to worry about, my last rugrat just ran to the store and picked me up a six-pack.

Post by **precopster** » 28 Jul 2014, 06:43

I know that without 5 new O rings it's not much point to remove the upper part of the inlet manifold to replace the spark plugs as the o rings will leak if reused.