2006 V70 2.5T Purchase Opportunity

Post by **donc** » 22 Oct 2014, 11:52

After years of enjoying my 97 850GLT wagon, I have an opportunity to purchase a 2006 2.5T Wagon with 95,000 miles in excellent condition from a car lot. The salesman/owner indicates he purchased the car as a one-owner trade at a Suburu dealer and that the timing service was performed at 85k miles.

What are some of the issues associated with this model and year car? Are these models the updated version of the problematic 01 era cars? Admittedly, IF this car is a good deal at $7500, I want to move on it.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Post by **JRL** » 22 Oct 2014, 14:08

Fair deal but be prepared to do a complete breather box replacement, some (or all) of the front suspension and some little bits here and there.

Also if the transmission shifts well then NOW is the time to do a fluid change

Whatever you do have it looked over first by a VOLVO mechanic.

I have seen 05-07s with 60K miles that needed a bit of work and others at 100K that needed about nothing.
Unless this is a far Southern car (FL-TX et-al) that was driven on VERY smooth roads and unless the oil was changed A LOT, be prepared to spend some money on the above items.
Normal items at these miles

Post by **donc** » 22 Oct 2014, 14:37

Thanks for the quick reply. Glad to hear that these transmissions respond well to fluid changes. I just called my Volvo mechanic to schedule an inspection for this car!

Post by **JRL** » 22 Oct 2014, 16:04

Make sure he tests the breather.
Also tell him to look for prior paintwork and if there is any in the front or rear, look closely for any prior frame damage.

Have you bought a Carfax?
If not, spend the money and buy one.
It's not the bible and should not be read as such, but it can give an indication of how this one was serviced and of course if there were any reportable accidents.

This 06 is actually priced a bit under dealer retail

Post by **oragex** » 22 Oct 2014, 17:09

If the belt was changed at 85k miles, it might have been a very well looked after vehicle serviced at a Volvo dealer. The price seems very fair, maybe even on the low side, so I would carefully check the miles are the right ones (a Volvo dealer can plug the car to read the miles in the ECU in case the cluster was replaced) and also if the car has a clean title.

Post by **marshallh** » 22 Oct 2014, 22:12

That is a pretty good price. I'd go for it, if everything checks out

Post by **donc** » 16 Nov 2014, 11:51

I bought the car!

Post by **donc** » 16 Nov 2014, 11:55

I bought the car!

Thanks for the help everybody. The car did indeed check out; Carfax had it as a one-owner vehicle with all of the service records online at a Volvo dealer showing the transmission fluid was changed 10k ago. My independent Volvo mechanic buddy indicated that the breather was replaced and control arms tight, paint was all original, and no evidence of accidents, frame or paint damage.

We could find no evidence that the timing belt was changed such as a sticker or included documentation. A service tech at the dealer indicated that the interval is something like 7 years or 105,000 miles?

If I cannot figure out the timing belt issue, I will just do the service. Anyway thanks for the help!

Post by **abscate** » 17 Nov 2014, 09:52

Timing belt interval is 10 years or 105k miles, first occurring.

Unless......

TIMINGBELT,TENSIONERANDIDLERPULLEY:REPLACE All 5-cylinder models.
– Models identified by engine VIN codes 39 and 64 sold in
California, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York and Maine are classified as PZEV vehicles. The timing belt and tensioner replacement interval for these vehicles only is 15 years or 150,000 miles. For service intervals beyond 150,000 miles, consult your authorized Volvo retailer.
– Maximum replacement time interval for all engines except engine VIN codes 39 and 64 is 10 years.
• Helps avoid belt failure while driving

The difference between the VINS is......the warranty exposure to Volvo...

Post by **donc** » 11 Sep 2015, 21:29

All of your advice proved essential in the purchase and ownership of this vehicle.

Even though the the vehicle Carfax showed that the transmission fluid was changed not too long ago, I just finished a drain and fill. It wasn't as dark as the stuff that first came out of my 850, but it was definitely a chocolate cherry color. Tonight on a 30 mile drive, I noticed that it shifted into top gear at a lower rpm and stayed in that gear even on a slight uphill climb. Subtle and smooth. The old fluid was watery and the new stuff slightly viscous.

Thanks again for the advice!