Volvo P2 used market

[abscate]

I’m not looking actively, aka I am a tire kicker, but just on a whim I looked to see how many P2 Volvo’s for sale on cars,com, under $6000, within500 miles of me

320



I am amazed at the large number of XC70 and XC90 with 100-120k you can buy in the 4-6k range from money and brains areas. With a good PPI and maybe a 2 k contingency, you can get a 100k luxury car for 6-8k, my friends who score the $500 versions notwithstanding.

[cn90]

To me, the 2.5T is the best money for the car.

In 2018, I bought the 2004 V70 with 98K miles for $4200. Good value.

Car should be able to go > 200K miles.

[Georgeandkira]

320 P2's within a 500 mile radius. That's good.

A breakdown by years would be revealing.
Example: I've noticed that the "money and brains" people are more prone to selling off their pre-2004 P2's.

I've benefited from these automotive websites. You can compare and arrange them by usability.
My experience is that fora pertaining to Ford F-150, Ford Ranger and Saabs are heavily populated by "hands on" types.

The Saab sites had more educated engineers than the Ford sites but shear number of "Henry's Children" can provide lots of real information.

Volvo owners with dirty hands are waning and the better healed ones are filling the ranks. We can't find answers in their checkbooks.

Mitsubishi truck people are helpful but the "Outlander Crowd" is plain, value oriented consumers.

Similarly, the ever-tinkering Subaru boys were great for reporting mods and fixes but the fad has faded.
The Albany based UNYSOC (Upstate New York Subaru Owners Club) evaporated and that stinks.

The Acura owner's forum I found was useless.

You didn't know I was an automotive sociologist, did ya'?

The point I'm failing to make is that these websites help people like us select and avoid the right cars.
Utilize (enjoy) it while you can because the Red Bull drinking, tattooed, Bevis & Butthead watching, earlobe grommet wearing, vaping, app clicking generation is swelling.
They walk around brandishing brand names and when asked a question respond with, "What do you mean?"

Am I venting? sorry

[abscate]

We are still in the Golden Era of the P80, despite Matts churlish attempt to elevate the P2 over the P80 the post count and viewership still make P80 the Volvo King (I made that up from the number of viewers 5 minutes ago)

This forum brought me from dumping my T5 to now getting another 100k out of for a ridiculously low cpm - and having bought 4 more of these cars since.

Kudos to all of you for making it the most adult auto forum on the internet - we even have a Matthews Official Resident online Newjersey Sociologist Group, too.

[a3inverter]

I'm actually intrigued by the number of 2001 and 2002 P2's I see listed in the Greater Boston area...many with over 200k. Should I successfully hand off my V70 to my soon-to-be-of-age children, I will likely be in the hunt for a 2006-2007 XC70 or XC90. I've only been part of the "community" for about 18 months, but appreciate the DIY/information-sharing mentality I've found.

[BlackBart]

Very interesting observations, George. I agree that any car without an enthusiast or cult following is a questionable buy. I see many former fun and practical cars slide upward into the "luxury" market and lose their old base. Volvo maybe have done that some time ago sadly.

In the sports car world, I've seen a big change in the Alfa Romeo crowd over the years after the cars left the US market. It used to be sports car guys who bought them new and raced them (and never washed them). Now the forum is overly crusty conservative curmudgeons who don't like "any of that new shit!" "Anything after 1992 is just a Fiat!" (.. that's kind of true...)

British sports car clubs also long ago became "vintage car" clubs. "Bloody HELL, you've used the wrong screw heads, and they're not lined up correctly!!" "Lucas is the best component manufacturer in the British Empire!"

The BMW E30 forums are all 18-30 yr olds with no budget for restoration, but they continue to carry the torch for rear wheel drive, manual sports sedans. 75% of those cars are wrecked or rusted out - the other 75% have big engine swaps and will never be original again. It will be many years before that car reaches the level of the 2002 fanatics.

Funny story - when I was shopping for my 245 turbo wagon in about 1990 --pre-forums-- I called the local Puget Sound Volvo Club for advice. The guy was very very reluctant to recommend anything newer than a 140. "Wellllll....I GUESS they may have some improvements....like big taillights, I guess...." "If you have to buy one, they're ok, I guess..."

We have a surprising number of new Volvos here considering no dealer for 200 miles. Same with new BMWs.

I also appreciate this adult forum and all the information and advice. I think it's changed the DIY home mechanic experience completely. I try to tackle things now that I wouldn't have touched 10 or 20 years ago.

[abscate]

The DIY here is fantastic. We also have about 5 guys here who just know everything there is to be known about the cars. The moderation load is basically killing bots. Thanks to all for keeping it adult, female,and otherwise friendly. It steps up my game when I wrench, and forces me to get camera out and document what I’m doing

I’ve tackled stuff i would not have dreamed of 10:years ago

[GlennG2759]

Totally agree with Abcate on that last post. Craigslist filled XC70/90's. I think a lot of non DIY Volvo owners hit the 100k wall and have the dealerships giving quotes of 3-5k to bring the vehicle up to snuff. Dealers dont want them as trade ins, that's where us DIY'ers can make out. 150.00 hr. labor rate unbelieveable.

[cn90]

Agree ^^^.

This is very common with 1st/2nd owners who make good money and afforded the nice Volvos.
Then at 90K-100K, once they hear the word timing belt etc. or AFTER they paid for the timing belt etc., they traded it in.

In the world of used car business, which is billion-dollar industry, I was told that 100K is the magic number.
Once the car is about >100K, dealers do NOT want them, they auction them off and typically these
cars end up in USED car dealer.

So, when I go to used car dealer, I look for cars with 90K-110K. Then perform stage 0, then enjoy the next 100K.

PS: my previous experience of 1998 S70 bought at 145K was fine but after 150K, I spent a lot of time to keep the thing
in nice condition (partly b/c of my desire to keep the car in top shape... lol). Then at 185K, the exhaust valve #3 burned, followed a
few months later with losing REVERSE gear in the trans. I traded it in for $300.

Lesson learned: go for cars with 90K-110K, for me as I can count on another 80K-100K.

[abscate]

It is kind of incredible

First 100k costs 50k to buy, maybe 3k residual

Next 100k, 6k to buy and Stage 0

When you pick the cherries like the P2 Jim sold me, it’s the same experience.