Which older volvo do you recommend? [merged]

msloan · Post by **msloan** » 09 Oct 2022, 14:05

I HAVE an xc70. A 2011. As I mentioned. NOT a wrenchable car . Not with the wildest imagination. And I'n not swapping engines. Please keep it simple.

Post by **scot850** » 09 Oct 2022, 16:03

Yes the P3 version of XC70's are less user friendly than previous models. They were a full on Ford influenced (cheap'd out) on quality vehicle. I asked about buying one to a friend who is a master Volvo mechanic and he was not very positive on them. We nearly bought one until I drove a P2 XC70 back to back with the P3 XC70 (not the T6). I have driven a T6 and it was a nice car as a loner but trunk space is way down on a 240/740/940.

We are joking to an extent on what is the ideal car. If you are comfortable with the RWD cars and prefer a wagon the the 940/940 Turbo is a good car. I loved mine and only upgraded when a V70 T5 manual came available at a really good price 20+ years ago.

The 960/V90 wagon is a great car when the engine stays good and was made until 1998? I had considered a wagon or the very rare diplomat version with the slightly longer wheel base. My only concern is there are fewer of them and so parts are more difficult to find.

Then there is the 740 and 740 Turbo wagons. Again hard working long lived cars.

I wish you luck with whatever you end up finding, but find the bast you can afford and check them over carefully. Worst case get a 2nd opinion from a mechanic.

Neil.

msloan · Post by **msloan** » 09 Oct 2022, 16:44

Thanks for that. And the cheaped-out 2011 xc70 is one of the reasons I will never buy a more modern volvo

Post by **scot850** » 09 Oct 2022, 19:08

I'm right with you on that one. We are taking our son's car into the dealer for a long overdue oil service and once over. They also do a free wash and clean of the engine bay. Due to the service being on their system the sales principle contacted me to see if we wanted to trade our son's XC70 in for a new or newer Volvo with an overpriced trade in value.

I politely declined on the fact it is now our son's car (which he loves), and the fact that I would buy any newer Volvo than a P2 chassis car as the new ones are hugely overpriced and crap. I got a polite, thank you!

Neil.

msloan · Post by **msloan** » 09 Oct 2022, 19:21

not being famiiiar with the terminology, When did they switch to the P3's?

Post by **June** » 09 Oct 2022, 21:07

P3 and P1 cars are Ford Era platforms. P3 cars such as the 2007 C70 I bought for my daughter have the octopus hose. It failed taking the head gasket out. The dealership mechanic that repaired it worked on mother's cars when I was a child so I trust him. He said these cars with this design are prone to eating head gaskets. The P1 cars like the 2007 and up S80 drive like a Ford in my opinion. I believe the Ford 500 is also built on this platform. To me it had a front heavy feeling like a 3.8 equipped Mercury Sable. Especially the V8 and the 3.2 models I drove. The 3.0 T6 AWD drove the best in my opinion. The 3.2 and the 3.0T have a timing chain in the bell housing as well as a READ assembly I simply wouldn't want used. R rear E engine A accessory D drive. I suspect some of these reasons are why others have mentioned nothing newer than a P2 car. P2 was released in 1998 S80 in Europe a full year before Ford bought Volvo, making the P2 the last Volvo design in some eyes. June

Post by **scot850** » 09 Oct 2022, 22:32

The P3 chassis was released in 2008 when the new V70 and XC70 and S80. I believe June got the P1 and P3 the wrong way around. The 2nd generation S40/V50/C70 were released around 2005 and were related to the Ford Focus and Mazda 3 of the time. These ran until around 2011 although I am not certain of that.

Either way the P1 and P3 were Ford structures that were built to Ford quality? standards. That is unfortunate as they had nice lines and should have been a huge step forward.

Neil.

msloan · Post by **msloan** » 10 Oct 2022, 04:34

So far, then:
prior to 2004
rwd if possible
NO awd
240 740 960
Did I miss anything?

454cid · Post by **454cid** » 10 Oct 2022, 07:05

msloan wrote: ↑10 Oct 2022, 04:34
Did I miss anything?

Yes, all the P80 cars. I like my NA 850. I haven't had to do anything major to it yet, but the timing belt and water pump wasn't too bad of a job.

msloan · Post by **msloan** » 10 Oct 2022, 07:37

ok let me try again:

prior to 2004
rwd if possible
NO awd
240 740 960
850 1993 - 1997
855 1994 - 1997

I'm dot sure about parts availability for the following since they were only available for a few years
S70 1998 - 2000
875 1998 - 2000
XC70 1998 - 2000
872 1998 - 2002

Which older volvo do you recommend? [merged]

Re: Which older volvo do you recommend? [merged]