Would you buy this 2000 V70-XC?

[shiloh51933]

Before I mention the cons I will say that the P80 V70XC or V70XCSE is my favorite Volvo. That being said I'm on my 3rd one, 2 ,98' V70XC 's and 1 00' V70XCSE that died by deer crash. My other '98 died by hydro locking motor, coolant level sensor failure hence no warning of water leak while driving long distance with a/c running (thought dripping was condensation from a/c running during hot weather ). I'm driving another '98 V70XC, I found this one with only 100,104 miles on the odometer. Great vehicle with good AWD system and solid chassis. Anyway, the other 2 i had both eventually had AWD system issues. The other 98 had failing propshaft and angle gear. The 2000 V70XCSE angle gear had a failing companion bearing (atleast that's what I think it's called ). So with that being said...if your looking for a reliable AandWD that will last then you'd be better suited with a 2003 & up P2 chassis Volvo XC70 . My wife has the 2004 P2 XC70 w/the 2.5l turbo motor, factory xenon headlights, Second Generation Haldex AWD system. The P80 chassis used a Viscous Coupling AWD system and they varied between each year from 98-00, so different years weren't compatible to interchange parts making used parts hard to match up or even find. They drive beautifully when they are maintained properly but hard to find one kept that well.

[moonweasel]

Unfortunately the seller has only had the vehicle for a year, and doesn't have maintenance records from before he purchased it. He says he believes the car to have been regularly maintained due to it being from Mercer Island (an affluent part of the state), but obviously that doesn't mean much.

Here’s a follow-up question for you all — my 2002 S60 (2.4L non-turbo) needs the following repairs/maintenance done:

• new brakes (pads & lines in front, pads & rotors in rear)
• driver information panel (garbled display)
• timing belt/tensioner/water pump/serpentine belt changed
• gross evap/exhaust code investigated (already ruled out fuel cap and PCV)
  [EDIT:] Forgot some of the best ones:
• ignition sometimes won’t turn, randomly has to be jiggled/key inserted in and out for several minutes before it will turn
• driver's door lock stays unlocked with auto locks/key fob, have to remember to manually lock it every time I get out of the car and unlock manually with key every time I drive
• driver's electric window doesn't operate at all
• sunroof has something stuck in the tracks, won't operate without getting stuck open
• front quarter-panel needs replaced (bad parking job years ago — don't ask)

Gun to your head, would you rather put the work into fixing all the above on a 2002 S60, or risk the possible AWD/ETM issues on a V70 that seems to be otherwise running great?

[sleddriver]

......would you rather put the work into all the above on a 2002 S60, or risk the possible AWD/ETM issues on a V70 that seems to be otherwise running great?

* Why is he selling if he's only had it for a year?
* His guess is just that....a guess. Verification? Records?

I've never owned an AWD anything. Don't need it here. Quite complicated though. AWD and ETM are heavy $$$$ categories. Brakes, tires, battery, etc. pale in comparison.

You're there. We're not. Have a good THINK though and write down pros & cons.

[moonweasel]

* Why is he selling if he's only had it for a year?

He says he is selling it for tuition money. Could also be that he just doesn't have money to do the rear brakes that need done.

Yeah, it's obviously a personal call… I'm leaning towards sticking with my S60, but just seeing what wisdom is out there from the experts here, there's always an angle I haven’t considered…

[June]

......would you rather put the work into all the above on a 2002 S60, or risk the possible AWD/ETM issues on a V70 that seems to be otherwise running great?

* Why is he selling if he's only had it for a year?
* His guess is just that....a guess. Verification? Records?

I've never owned an AWD anything. Don't need it here. Quite complicated though. AWD and ETM are heavy $$$$ categories. Brakes, tires, battery, etc. pale in comparison.

You're there. We're not. Have a good THINK though and write down pros & cons.

He has only had it a year and replaced all that and suddenly is selling it for peanuts? NO He needs tuition indicates he is young and likely did the work himself possible starter car turned nightmare. NO

Bigger than that P80 AWD is a nightmare and was finicky brand new. I owned one and bought it new. Mine had the 2.3 turbo and would barf the transmission fluid at interstate speed which the dealer never could fix. Mine had factory Pirelli tires and at a year old 1999 maybe 15k a pothole took out a tire which nobody mentioned all tires must be replaced as a set, so the AWD self destructed. After that the AWD had endless trouble, vibrations and the occasional 30 mph maximum speed due to serious vibrations before parts fly off under the car.

I refuse to trade my S80 T6 because the V8, and the return of the T6 than the drive e T6 come only AWD. I refuse to own AWD again. I had that much trouble with mine. Also consider most people are too cheap to service the AWD properly. So in my eyes a used AWD is even worse than buying it new. June

[June]

Unfortunately the seller has only had the vehicle for a year, and doesn't have maintenance records from before he purchased it. He says he believes the car to have been regularly maintained due to it being from Mercer Island (an affluent part of the state), but obviously that doesn't mean much.

Here’s a follow-up question for you all — my 2002 S60 (2.4L non-turbo) needs the following repairs/maintenance done:

• new brakes (pads & lines in front, pads & rotors in rear)
• driver information panel (garbled display)
• timing belt/tensioner/water pump/serpentine belt changed
• gross evap/exhaust code investigated (already ruled out fuel cap and PCV)
  [EDIT:] Forgot some of the best ones:
• ignition sometimes won’t turn, randomly has to be jiggled/key inserted in and out for several minutes before it will turn
• driver's door lock stays unlocked with auto locks/key fob, have to remember to manually lock it every time I get out of the car and unlock manually with key every time I drive
• driver's electric window doesn't operate at all
• sunroof has something stuck in the tracks, won't operate without getting stuck open
• front quarter-panel needs replaced (bad parking job years ago — don't ask)

Gun to your head, would you rather put the work into fixing all the above on a 2002 S60, or risk the possible AWD/ETM issues on a V70 that seems to be otherwise running great?

Neither! Find a 07, 08 S60 with 100K and buy it. 07 08 S60, c70, and V70 cars are cheep down here and tons of them under $4K with 120K. Look at the carfax, every lot has it pulled and look for Volvo serviced timing belt and preferably routine service all on time. When we bought our daughter her first car recently a C70 with the retractable hardtop I was handed the carfax for each car of interest to review service history. Every Volvo service visit shows up.

I had picked a 10 year old black S60 I met the original owner who was trading it in as I was looking at a white 2012 C70. As it turned out there was a black 2007 C70 on the lot and she had love at first sight with, so we got it for her. In my case all three cars were at my dealer and extremely low mileage cars and higher priced. I did look online and saw scads of 10 year 100K Volvos to choose from under $4K. June

[erikv11]

moonweasel is in Washington State. An 07-08 Volvo with 120k is more like $5-6000 there, they hold their value pretty well. At a lot they will be $7000+.

[June]

moonweasel is in Washington State. An 07-08 Volvo with 120k is more like $5-6000 there, they hold their value pretty well. At a lot they will be $7000+.

Wow! Used cars are much cheaper here in Florida. Volvo is popular here so lots are used for sale. I guess then I would fix the old S60. At least you know what you have, plus no taxe, tag, and title fee. June

[shiloh51933]

I would rather dump the s60 & get the 2000 V70XC, much easier to work on and parts are cheaper. The motor is solid on these cars and so is the 4 speed transmission as long as it's serviced properly. The AWD can always be converted back to FWD, ultimately that's really what the chassis is (FWD). But if yo u do but it then service the Angle Gear fluid immediately and rear differential fluid. Check the center carrier bearing for any play beyond spec. Everything can be repaired or replaced but that depends on why your buying it. I fell in love with the P80 chassis and I really need the AWD during winter because I use her in middle of night for work doing a lot of driving in worst weather so AWD is a must.

[June]

I would rather dump the S60 & get the 2000 V70XC, much easier to work on and parts are cheaper. The motor is solid on these cars and so is the 4 speed transmission as long as it's serviced properly. The AWD can always be converted back to FWD, ultimately that's really what the chassis is (FWD). But if yo u do but it then service the Angle Gear fluid immediately and rear differential fluid. Check the center carrier bearing for any play beyond spec. Everything can be repaired or replaced but that depends on why your buying it. I fell in love with the P80 chassis and I really need the AWD during winter because I use her in middle of night for work doing a lot of driving in worst weather so AWD is a must.

Doesn't the 2000 have the newer 5 speed? My 1998 had the 4 speed. June