buying advice for 2002 V70 2.4T wagon

[azureblue]

My 1994TR wagon is on its way out. Leaky Rear main seal, like a half a quart every 400 miles, and it's breathing kind of heavy at 230K.
So I have $2k to spend, (times are rough around here) and I found a 2002 2.4T wagon in great exterior shape, kind of rough interior- dried seats. 220k Miles. New Tires. Owner wants $1K for it, because it is in the shop and needs camshaft oil seal, Crank sprocket. Timing belt tensioner, water pump, timing belt (Timing belt done at 174K miles). Shop will buy the Camshaft solenoid adjuster kit $215.xx and the Water pump kit $345.xx from Volvo .... repair costs total $1055.xx with a car detail and oil change thrown in.

Everything else looks solid and the A/C works. The Oil filler cap seal ring needs to be replaced, but the car has no signs of damage. Just interior kid wear.
Unfortunately, I can't drive it, but the shop's mechanics started it for me and gave me a run down on the car. Nice folks and the Volvo mechanic there has 10 years experience.

Is this a deal, or should I keep looking?
BTW, will this thing accelerate like my 855TR?

Thanks in advance for all input..

[oragex]

If they're replacing the camshaft seal, sounds like a clogged PCV box which can cause blocked oil pan passages (oil pan has to come out) and leaking rear main seal not to mention busted rod bearings if neglected for too long. The 2002 were plagued with fragile transmission and ETM, both too costly.

[azureblue]

I checked for blow by on the oil filler cap and raced the engine with the cap off, to see if smoke would come out, but none did. The cap didn't dance, either. But, yeah about the transmission. Since I can't drive it, that is what puts me off.

[azureblue]

But could I assume that if the transmission has not developed trouble by now, that is will be solid?

[azureblue]

I may have a deal killer here- The instrument cluster on the car is dead. Well, it will blink if you smack it. Non Volvo shop said $275 to replace it, but Volvo shop says that data has to be transferred to the replacement unit and that drives the price up to $500.

Also I was told the loose oil filler cap test for PCV clogs won't work, that a test for a clogged PCV on this car should be with a gauge on the dipstick tube...

This is starting to look not so good.............

[jonesg]

Yeh, I'd pass that one by, just too many problems there, you can find something half decent for $2k.

[azureblue]

Thanks. I think I will pass - I am sure I can get the shop to inspect it, but it's not the good deal I thought it originally was.
So I'm around Winston Salem, NC.... Anybody got a wagon for sale?

[db130]

A couple of corrections here..

In 2002, only the nonturbo was still running the Magnetti-Marellie ETM. The 2.4T and the T5 switched to the Bosch ETM which were much less troublesome.

(I have both a NA 2002 and a T5 2002).

Also, the DIM (instrument cluster) can be rebuilt in most instances for under $200. There are several vendors on eBay that offer this service.

It won't accelerate like your 855TR though, the 2.4T only has 197hp.

[azureblue]

I am I getting the suggestion that the 2001 - 2002 models should be avoided?

[jonesg]

True, they have transmission problems, look for 2003 and onwards unless the original transmission has been repaired or swapped already.
Look on craigslist. I paid $2K , 2004 V70 awd turbo 174K miles with all the bells and whistles.