2003 V70 looking to buy

Post by **850 LPT** » 06 Aug 2015, 12:41

Hi all,

I'm not familiar with P2 cars, but I want to check out a 2003 V70 this afternoon that looks nice, has a 5-speed and only 64k on it.
I did a quick search but did not see anything specific on common problems. Is there anything other than what I know from my P80's that I should watch out for?

Thanks, Dirk

Post by **oragex** » 06 Aug 2015, 13:09

The manual transmissions were flawed by a slave clutch cylinder failing

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=131170

The instrument panel also fails in the 2003 but 64k is still early. Test the PCV as shown on Youtube.

Post by **abscate** » 07 Aug 2015, 06:30

MTTF from the UK data seems to be about 130k

My guess is UK drivers shift a lot more than US driver. My 1999 stick has had 6 teens learn to drive, tows boats, and is still on the original clutch components.

Post by **850 LPT** » 10 Aug 2015, 07:35

130k is not so bad. Does this model have the internal slave cylinder?

Post by **abscate** » 10 Aug 2015, 11:38

I think they do Dirk. Referred to as the Concentric Slave Cylinder or CSC on other Fora.

The P2s are awful nice cars - close the deal on that manual quick.

No ETB worries on a 2003 - they were either DENSO or Bosch, not MM though!

The PCV uses the late P80 thermostatted one so it doesn't clog like the P80 cars.

Post by **850 LPT** » 10 Aug 2015, 12:01

Ends up being too expensive for me. $5200 plus $595 dealer fee

, plus they won't budge. Then add tax and registration. It also needs a timing belt right away and has some cosmetic issues. That's what I know without seeing the car.

Thanks for the info, Steve. If you want to check it out, the car is at Paul Miller Value Center. It's in my favorite color: nautic blue

Post by **850 LPT** » 24 Sep 2015, 07:38

Well, the one in question here did not work out but I'm going to look at an 05 tomorrow that looks really clean.

I have a quick question, do these cars have the notorious evaporator fail problem like the P80 cars or did Volvo improve on that on the P2's?

Thanks, Dirk

Post by **oragex** » 24 Sep 2015, 12:13

No issues with the evaporator. Possible issues with the A/C compressor loosing gap but it's a 10 minutes fix. The points to look at are the control arm bushings, transmission shifting butter smooth when warmed up, perhaps a PCV check. Shock absorbers get stiff after 100k miles.

Post by **850 LPT** » 01 Oct 2015, 09:24

So I bought the 05 V70, my very first P2 car. I'm now waiting to go pick it up, probably in the middle of next week.

It has only one owner, 109k, it's super clean and well maintained. I couldn't believe the records this car came with. The PO had all the scheduled maintenance done at 15k intervals and he even brought the car to the dealer for oil changes.
Needless to say the PCV system is in good shape. It is in need of some suspension work, but that's ok because I can do it all myself. Timing belt is due soon as well, again not a problem, I might have my indie do that.

This car is somewhat of an oddball. It's a base model (non turbo, 5-speed manual), but loaded up with all kinds of options: leather, sunroof, rear parking assist, alloys etc. The dealer suggested it was a special order car, could that be true?

Photos to follow soon...

Post by **vtl** » 01 Oct 2015, 10:36

850 LPT wrote:This car is somewhat of an oddball. It's a base model (non turbo, 5-speed manual), but loaded up with all kinds of options: leather, sunroof, rear parking assist, alloys etc. The dealer suggested it was a special order car, could that be true?

My wife drives one of these, a very nice car. No park assist though, not sure Volvo had it for 2002 model year.