A friend asked me to recommend which XC wagon?

Post by **BlackBart** » 07 Jan 2022, 12:01

He asked me how I liked mine, how they drive, how they are on the highway, and any glaring mechanical issues. I said stay away from '01 and '02 transmissions, generally go for 2004 to 2007. The '08 and up are the Ford Mondial platforms, correct?

I know Abscate says buy from one-owner upper crust zip codes in New England, but he's in Seattle and they sell a lot of wagons there. There should be many to choose from.

What else can I tell him?

Post by **volvolugnut** » 07 Jan 2022, 12:38

Get a pre-purchase inspection.
volvolugnut

Post by **BlackBart** » 07 Jan 2022, 12:51

Funny, when I bought my 850 wagon, it was in Denver. I sent it to a specialty Volvo shop to do an inspection. He went over it pretty quickly and it cost very little. I asked, "What all did you do? Did you do a compression test?"

He said, "It's a one-owner Volvo, it only has 60,000 on it, there are no issues." ...annnd...he was right!

Post by **erikv11** » 07 Jan 2022, 14:21

I would push it to 06-07 that's what I'm looking for. But otherwise nothing more to add.

Post by **BlackBart** » 07 Jan 2022, 14:47

Why do you like those? Just the newest version?

Post by **br0dy519** » 07 Jan 2022, 20:32

Avoid 2004. CEM, DIM, water ingress, Haldex awd, PS reservoir, PS fluid type misprint in literature, steering rack, both of my cars are 2004 and have been nothing but trouble. But at the same time they've never left me stranded so....

I would definitely try and get one from a southern or non coastal location if possible.

Verify service records (ie. timing belt complete service, pcv overhaul, any rubber or plastic in the engine bay replaced)

Post by **chrism** » 08 Jan 2022, 07:52

I guess I would ask the friend whether they really need AWD and the extra maintenance/repairs that can be associated with that option compared to FWD.

Case in point…..
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=99127&sid=dc0af4f35 ... 489f5dc29d

Post by **- Pete -** » 08 Jan 2022, 09:10

chrism wrote: ↑08 Jan 2022, 07:52 I guess I would ask the friend whether they really need AWD and the extra maintenance/repairs that can be associated with that option compared to FWD.

Case in point…..
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=99127&sid=dc0af4f35 ... 489f5dc29d

Hey now!

There are certainly more moving pieces with the P2 AWD, but the 2004-2007 Gen 3 Haldex is an extremely good AWD system. I would not be without it. Granted, the weather up here and places we take our vehicles prohibits anything but functioning AWD. The 2001 V70XC we have has the Viscous coupler, still functional but not nearly as good as the Gen 3 Haldex. Expenses I’ve had in my small fleet of AWD P2’s (over an collective ~ 350k miles of servicing myself) are: DEM pumps (X2 replaced so far, soon to be 3), AOC oil & filter, rear diff gear oil, driveshaft (X1 due to a destroyed/rusted center support which failed and subsequently took out the hanger bearing), and most recently I replaced the bevel gear & collar sleeve on the 04 XC.

I dunno, I think the excellence in function far outweighs the maintenance & cost of parts. Would I pay a dealer to do any of the work? Absolutely not, but a lot of people don’t have the tools, space, time, ambition, etc to do this. I can’t even fathom how much money I’ve saved in labor & parts costs over the years by doing it all at home.

I generally prefer the 2004’s. To me, they seem sightly more robust than the 2005-2007’s. Now, I’ve only owned one 2006 XC70. The 04’s I’d liken to a cast iron pan, 05-07’s more like a really high quality non-stick aluminum pan. Maybe it’s all in my head!

Other than that, they are the same car, save for the CANBUS speeds, front seats & a couple other oddball things. Can’t really go wrong with a well maintained 04-07.

Post by **BlackBart** » 08 Jan 2022, 12:00

br0dy519 wrote: ↑07 Jan 2022, 20:32 Avoid 2004. CEM, DIM, water ingress, Haldex awd, PS reservoir, PS fluid type misprint in literature, steering rack, both of my cars are 2004 and have been nothing but trouble. But at the same time they've never left me stranded so....

wait...I have a 2004! I've had none of these problems. She just cruised across Wyoming and Montana in sub-zero temperatures.

I thought the water-through-the-cowling issue was later cars..... and we have glass headlights!

Post by **BlackBart** » 08 Jan 2022, 12:02

chrism wrote: ↑08 Jan 2022, 07:52 I guess I would ask the friend whether they really need AWD and the extra maintenance/repairs that can be associated with that option compared to FWD.

Absolutely - Washington and Montana winter highways and backroads and fishing, etc. That's his thing.