Should i buy this 2005 volvo s60? are they decent on gas?

CoreyJones · Post by **CoreyJones** » 31 Aug 2008, 17:54

Hey guys im thinking about purchasing this vehicle
http://www.brownsvw.ca/VehicleDetails/324479043
im trading my 2002 ford explorer sport for 4500 and getting the remander of my car loan added on to the volvo price
but im also getting the volvo for 19950
i have to get something more fuel sufficiant and am wondering are these cars good on fuel?

Post by **JRL** » 31 Aug 2008, 20:36

CoreyJones wrote:Hey guys im thinking about purchasing this vehicle
http://www.brownsvw.ca/VehicleDetails/324479043.
im trading my 2002 ford explorer sport for 4500 and getting the remander of my car loan added on to the volvo price
but im also getting the volvo for 19950
i have to get something more fuel sufficiant and am wondering are these cars good on fuel?

Your link does not work
WHAT"S THE YEAR, (model), and mileage for the Volvo?

Is it the 71,000 mile S40?
If so, are you nuts?
That's a $9000 car (wholesale qand out of any warranty) they're ripping you off
I'll get you a $10,000 mi 05 S40 for less, MUCH less
IN FACTORY WARRANTY
Do you understand your logic?
You plan to spend 20K to get a few more MPG. You would have to drive for about 15 years to see the savings, by that time this 71K mile Volvo will be in the junkpile

CoreyJones · Post by **CoreyJones** » 01 Sep 2008, 08:02

the link now works
but its not the s40 its the 2005 s60. ill list the info
Automatic, 2.5 Turbo, AWD, 76,000km, Leather, PW, PL, Air, CD, Cruise, Power sunroof, Alloy wheels, Heated seats, Heated power mirrors, Remote entry.
* Color-keyed side/bumper moldings
* Halogen headlamps
* Rear fog light w/auto-off
* Safe Approach & Home Safe security lighting
* Daytime running lights
* Tinted windows
* Body-color pwr heated outside mirrors w/entry/exit lights
* 2-speed intermittent windshield wipers
* Front bucket seats w/head restraints, adjustable driver-side lumbar
* 60/40 split-fold rear seat w/trunk pass-through, pwr folding head restraints
* Cloth seating surfaces
* Flat-folding front passenger seat
* Front center armrest
* Front/rear plush floor mats
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/illuminated cruise/audio controls
* Adjustable steering column
* Immobilizer theft deterrent system
* Trip computer
* Outside temp gauge
* Pwr windows-inc: driver/front passenger auto up/down, anti-trap feature
* Central pwr door locks-inc: trunk
* Remote keyless entry
* Cruise control
* Security alarm system
* Dual-zone manual climate control-inc: rear seat vents
* Rear window defroster w/timer
* AM/FM stereo w/CD player-inc: 100-watt amp, (6) speakers
* Illuminated lockable glove box
* (2) front/(2) rear cup holders
* Front door storage pockets
* Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
* Front door entry lighting
* (4) reading lamps
* Interior cabin light delay feature
* Cargo area lights
* Leather gear shift knob
* Front seatback storage pockets
* Front/rear 12V pwr outlets
Mechanical

* 2.4L DOHC all-alloy I5 engine
* 5-speed manual transmission w/OD
* Stability & traction control (STC)
* Front wheel drive
* PremAir treated radiator for smog reduction
* MacPherson Strut front suspension w/coil springs
* Multi-link independent rear suspension w/coil springs
* Front/rear stabilizer bars
* 195/65R15 tires
* 15" x 6.5" "MUSCA" alloy wheels
* Compact spare w/steel wheel
* Pwr rack & pinion steering
* Pwr ventilated front/solid rear disc brakes
* 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) w/electronic brake distribution (EBD)
* 18.5 gallon fuel tank
how many kilometres should i get from a tank of gas?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Sep 2008, 08:28

Well, us U.S. folks will have to convert Km's to Miles.
Basically, what I read on other forums is that the S60 will get close to 20 mpg for city driving and close to 30 on the highway. The car you're looking at however is an AWD so I would decrease both by about 2mpg. That said, 18 in the city and 27~28 on the highway....at 18.5 Gallons tank, the numers are 333 miles if all city and 499~518 if all highway. figure somewhere between these two. That's 535 Kilometers for city driving per tank and 785~833 kilometers if all highway for a tank of gas...your mileage WILL vary depending on how well your car is tuned up, how much you put your right foot down (and use the turbo) and how much stuff you carry around in your car, not to mention your tire pressure, wet/dry conditions, etc. I have found that stop and go (or driving in traffic) yields the worst mpg or mpkm for all Volvo's.

Just a word of caution- if you're really serious about buying this car, it being an '02- it uses the pre-HALDEX AWD drivetrain. This means that tire circumference is huge in terms of the health of your front-to rear transmission/drive train, rear differential (known as angle or bevel gear, propeller shaft, viscous coupling, etc.). If the tires are even a bit off in terms of wear damage can be done to this system. Once damage is done, it could cost thousands of dollars to repair/replace. So, when inspecting this car, look at the tire differences and when you drive it (or better yet, have a mechanic drive and check it out) listen for strange scraping, clunking sounds under your car- any of this and I would walk from the deal. This all said, if you buy the car, throw away that donut spare as it will cause your AWD system to fail, even driving a few miles on it. Instead, buy a full size spare and when rotating your tires, include the spare in your rotation. Also, although Volvo might not say so, the angle gear box and the rear differential (known by Volvo as the Final Drive) need attention and gear oil changes periodically to keep them in good order.

So, after the long rant, my final conclusion is that if you need AWD and this car is in good shape, fine, but do the preventative stuff (listed above). If you can afford a newer '03 or later system, that's better. If you don't need AWD in a new car, avoid it if possible.

Let us know what you decide to do. I figure JRL will chime in as he knows much much more about these AWD Volvo's than all of us combined here (at least that's my take on his knowledge).

Regards,
MIJ

CoreyJones · Post by **CoreyJones** » 01 Sep 2008, 08:52

thx alot
that was alot of help
but the car is actualy a 2005
will i still need to worry about the tire problem and such?

Post by **JRL** » 01 Sep 2008, 09:50

MadeInJapan wrote:Well, us U.S. folks will have to convert Km's to Miles.
Basically, what I read on other forums is that the S60 will get close to 20 mpg for city driving and close to 30 on the highway. The car you're looking at however is an AWD so I would decrease both by about 2mpg. That said, 18 in the city and 27~28 on the highway....at 18.5 Gallons tank, the numers are 333 miles if all city and 499~518 if all highway. figure somewhere between these two. That's 535 Kilometers for city driving per tank and 785~833 kilometers if all highway for a tank of gas...your mileage WILL vary depending on how well your car is tuned up, how much you put your right foot down (and use the turbo) and how much stuff you carry around in your car, not to mention your tire pressure, wet/dry conditions, etc. I have found that stop and go (or driving in traffic) yields the worst mpg or mpkm for all Volvo's.

Just a word of caution- if you're really serious about buying this car, it being an '02- it uses the pre-HALDEX AWD drivetrain. This means that tire circumference is huge in terms of the health of your front-to rear transmission/drive train, rear differential (known as angle or bevel gear, propeller shaft, viscous coupling, etc.). If the tires are even a bit off in terms of wear damage can be done to this system. Once damage is done, it could cost thousands of dollars to repair/replace. So, when inspecting this car, look at the tire differences and when you drive it (or better yet, have a mechanic drive and check it out) listen for strange scraping, clunking sounds under your car- any of this and I would walk from the deal. This all said, if you buy the car, throw away that donut spare as it will cause your AWD system to fail, even driving a few miles on it. Instead, buy a full size spare and when rotating your tires, include the spare in your rotation. Also, although Volvo might not say so, the angle gear box and the rear differential (known by Volvo as the Final Drive) need attention and gear oil changes periodically to keep them in good order.

So, after the long rant, my final conclusion is that if you need AWD and this car is in good shape, fine, but do the preventative stuff (listed above). If you can afford a newer '03 or later system, that's better. If you don't need AWD in a new car, avoid it if possible.

Let us know what you decide to do. I figure JRL will chime in as he knows much much more about these AWD Volvo's than all of us combined here (at least that's my take on his knowledge).

Regards,
MIJ

HOW MANY TIMES TO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT
2002 S60 AWD's are HALDEX

Post by **JRL** » 01 Sep 2008, 09:52

CoreyJones wrote:the link now works
but its not the s40 its the 2005 s60. ill list the info
Automatic, 2.5 Turbo, AWD, 76,000km, Leather, PW, PL, Air, CD, Cruise, Power sunroof, Alloy wheels, Heated seats, Heated power mirrors, Remote entry.
* Color-keyed side/bumper moldings
* Halogen headlamps
* Rear fog light w/auto-off
* Safe Approach & Home Safe security lighting
* Daytime running lights
* Tinted windows
* Body-color pwr heated outside mirrors w/entry/exit lights
* 2-speed intermittent windshield wipers
* Front bucket seats w/head restraints, adjustable driver-side lumbar
* 60/40 split-fold rear seat w/trunk pass-through, pwr folding head restraints
* Cloth seating surfaces
* Flat-folding front passenger seat
* Front center armrest
* Front/rear plush floor mats
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/illuminated cruise/audio controls
* Adjustable steering column
* Immobilizer theft deterrent system
* Trip computer
* Outside temp gauge
* Pwr windows-inc: driver/front passenger auto up/down, anti-trap feature
* Central pwr door locks-inc: trunk
* Remote keyless entry
* Cruise control
* Security alarm system
* Dual-zone manual climate control-inc: rear seat vents
* Rear window defroster w/timer
* AM/FM stereo w/CD player-inc: 100-watt amp, (6) speakers
* Illuminated lockable glove box
* (2) front/(2) rear cup holders
* Front door storage pockets
* Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
* Front door entry lighting
* (4) reading lamps
* Interior cabin light delay feature
* Cargo area lights
* Leather gear shift knob
* Front seatback storage pockets
* Front/rear 12V pwr outlets
Mechanical

* 2.4L DOHC all-alloy I5 engine
* 5-speed manual transmission w/OD
* Stability & traction control (STC)
* Front wheel drive
* PremAir treated radiator for smog reduction
* MacPherson Strut front suspension w/coil springs
* Multi-link independent rear suspension w/coil springs
* Front/rear stabilizer bars
* 195/65R15 tires
* 15" x 6.5" "MUSCA" alloy wheels
* Compact spare w/steel wheel
* Pwr rack & pinion steering
* Pwr ventilated front/solid rear disc brakes
* 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS) w/electronic brake distribution (EBD)
* 18.5 gallon fuel tank
how many kilometres should i get from a tank of g

Still that's a 13K USD car here in the US (wholesale) and $17,000K in the US retail

CoreyJones · Post by **CoreyJones** » 01 Sep 2008, 10:09

im getting it for 19900 with my 4500 lots value as well but then i have to add the remander of my explorer loan 5000
i dont know much about volvos but always liked the look of them
so Yes ? i should buy this car ?

Post by **meine39** » 01 Sep 2008, 11:17

JRL's original point still holds - taking on additional debt to save money on gas rarely makes sense. You are betting that the amount of money you'll save on gas will exceed your higher monthly payment - a sucker's bet.

It also sounds like you are in danger of being 'upside down' on the new car, meaning you'll owe more on the car than you could sell it for - you end up with negative equity.

Rolling over car debt from one car to the next is a never ending vicious cycle - think of it this way, you'll now be paying for two cars, the Volvo and the Ford. Do a Google search on 'Upside down car loan' and read the horror stories.

Have you called your insurance agent to see what the Volvo will cost to insure? I'm betting it will be substantially higher than a 2002 Explorer.

IMHO, I'd stick with the Explorer until its paid off, as painful as that sounds. Your total cash outlay at the end of the day will likely be lower.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Sep 2008, 11:43

JRL wrote:HOW MANY TIMES TO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT
2002 S60 AWD's are HALDEX

Jim I get your point. Sorry about that.

It's confusing because locally to me a guy with an '02 S60 actually had a pre-HALDEX S60...maybe a split year?
Anyway, Corey, here was talking about a '05 anyway (certainly IS HALDEX)- so I was confused ( probably the other '02 car- Ford Exploder mixed up in my mind).

Still, best to keep tire tread the same between tires- especially on the same axle...so, still my advise on getting rid of the donut tire applies.