2003 S60 - Should I buy it?

[vtl]

Keeping in mind like others say, this is a car for DIY only, and we get most of the parts 2nd hand off Ebay.

Second hand? I put OE, OEM or Lemforder (if it's not OEM already) in both my wagons. Screw aftermarket and used parts, it does not pay out.

[vtl]

I understand owning this car would mean keeping up on maintenance, etc.

As others already said, let Volvo tech check the car. If it does not have big running problems, it would be a nice car, only requiring a bit extra $ for parts. Mostly easy to DIY. If you can wrench Toyota, you can wrench P2 Volvo.

And, unlike Japanese cans, especially new ones, New England's winter salt and slush do nothing to these Volvos. My wife drives V70 built in 2001, it has less rust on the bottom than 2-years old Mazda.

[garythemisfit]

So I knew the guy bought it from a very good used dealership here in town 2 years ago and I messaged the owner cause I know him, and luckily he just messaged me and said he knows the specific car and sadly it would take $4,000 to get ny inspection!!!!

I'm pretty sure the guy said he just got it inspected and he did fix those parts I mentioned, but it doesn't add up to nearly 4 grand.

I was sold on that car too, damn!

[bigbrain]

I think you dodged a nightmare on that one! I would say if you are used to Toyotas and Hondas then the amount of care a volvo would need will come as a huge shock....I'm very happy when my V70 is problem free....usually it only lasts a week or two (not kidding). I've also owned a toyota for some 17 years and done 102k miles...in that time I had to change the alternator...and I didn't need to strip half the engine to do it either....oh yes...and the brake pads too. Before I had my V70 I never had a car which filled with water in a storm....I've had toyotas with 190k miles and they drive like a dream!

[oragex]

Keeping in mind like others say, this is a car for DIY only, and we get most of the parts 2nd hand off Ebay.

Second hand? I put OE, OEM or Lemforder (if it's not OEM already) in both my wagons. Screw aftermarket and used parts, it does not pay out.

I put good aftermarket brake rotors and pads, air and oil filters (Mann), O2 sensor (NGK), thermostat and quality brand belts on my car. As well as some used OEM fan blower and other sensors. It would be too expensive to spend hundreds in many OEM new parts on an old vehicle that I won't keep for another 10 years. But it's true that it is really important to get the right aftermarket brands, or it will be a waste of money (such as for the O2 sensor). There are also parts that I will only go with Lemforder or Sachs for example.