Is a V70R AWD a good used car?

[chuckcintron]

Still trying to narrow down which next used car to add to the stable.

What do you guys think about the V70R AWD (automatic), say 2004 or 2005?

Any glaring reliability issues? I've no experience with Volvo AWD vehicles...read in the past about simple things like mismatch tire pressure causing the system to cough up a gear...is that true in this model?

Anything you can clue me in to would be appreciated. For example, am I going to have to replace the A/C evap in this car?

-Chuck

[VCA]

Still trying to narrow down which next used car to add to the stable.

What do you guys think about the V70R AWD (automatic), say 2004 or 2005?

Any glaring reliability issues? I've no experience with Volvo AWD vehicles...read in the past about simple things like mismatch tire pressure causing the system to cough up a gear...is that true in this model?

Anything you can clue me in to would be appreciated. For example, am I going to have to replace the A/C evap in this car?

-Chuck

I think a V70R would be a fine choice--if I had my druthers I'd go for an '05 over the '04, leak detection pump problems were more frequent in the '04s.

The AWD system is very good (Haldex-based), though I would advocate disposing of the small spare and getting a full-size one, as with every AWD system, driving on mismatched tires (tires of different circumferences) can cause issues, especially with the viscous coupling of these cars--make sure that you include the spare in the rotation pattern so that it wears evenly and rotate your tires in a modified X pattern every 6,000 miles at most.

A/C evaporator reliability remains unknown, it's simply too early to tell--850s started popping theirs around years 7 or 8...my S70 popped its at year 9 . The P2 cars have cabin filters (that filter both recirculated and outside air); make sure you keep on top of these changes, they're due every 15,000 miles and there is anecdotal evidence that keeping on top of the filter changes extends evaporator life as does the afterblow system found in the ACC systems of P2 Volvo cars.

Other than those issues, the usual caveats apply (service history, ATF color and smell, etc).

Happy shopping!

[chuckcintron]

Thanks...understood on the tiny spare for the AWD...bad...

I was worried that I (maybe imagined?) I had read that even small differences in tire pressure side-to-side could ruin the viscous unit. If not true, then all is good. Good that this vintage has the a/c dry off circuit, also.

Thanks,

-Chuck

[JRL]

Evaps are generally fine.
The new cars really have no real (common) issues

[JRL]

Still trying to narrow down which next used car to add to the stable.

What do you guys think about the V70R AWD (automatic), say 2004 or 2005?

Absolutely, but try to go with an 05, a bit more refined with less issues

Any glaring reliability issues? I've no experience with Volvo AWD vehicles...read in the past about simple things like mismatch tire pressure causing the system to cough up a gear...is that true in this model?

Not really, but you can't be absurdly hard on the car for instance by trying to run 3 totally new tires and one worn out one but the 3/32" rule does NOT apply with these, you can replace two at a time


Anything you can clue me in to would be appreciated. For example, am I going to have to replace the A/C evap in this car?

Nope

-Chuck