Help with XC70 purchase

[abscate]

I thought I posted this last night - wonder where it went..??

Thats a perfect car for you - at 2000 miles a year, next 5 years will be nice

If the timing belt and PCV are done, no major things for 5 years.

I would trust a Conti sticker under hood - if you lead a good karmic life, all will be well. Inspect the timing belt and it should look clean and new

For the Northeast, if that XC falls through - consider a FWD only car with a set of steel rims and real snow tires. I drive two of these and they are 99% as good as XCs in winter weather for going and stopping.

[Rattnalle]

I'd much rather get the maintained car with more miles. Maintenance means much more on a car as old as these are than the miles.

It's not really possible to tell how old a timing belt is unless it's brand new and not dusty at all or way past the best before date.

[Rattnalle]

I agree with abscate about proper snow tyres. It's far superior to "no seasons" and AWD. No need to put them on boring steel rims though but go as narrow as possible for snow.

[abscate]

Jim just sold a 2007 XC70 with under 100k for about 9k - totally up your alley

[dgh74]

Thanks again guys. One more question RE: the PCV/oil trap service: If it's clogged with oil sludge will it throw a check engine code or give any other indication aside from seals seeping, and, if the car's got around 100K or over on it, and there's no indication that it's been serviced, should I plan on doing that too right out of the gate (along with the timing belt)? I'm still trying to catch up with the guy with the higher mileage 2007.

[Rattnalle]

No error codes, just oil leaks if it's clogged bad enough.

If the status is unknown at least plan for it and do the glove test above filler and dipstick (if it inflates it's bad, if not it works and isn't as urgent).