Starbucks,s Awesome 2004 XC70 buy!

[Starbuck]

If it were newer and or had fewer miles I think the price would fit. I think he's one of those who thought to refresh the front end and he could add that repair to the 'value' of the car. If it was to the point where the mechanic recommended replacing everything, I think that would just reinforce 'good condition' and not warrant a firm high price. I'm just rambling at this point, sorry. Who knows, he might change his tune if it doesn't sell. Then again, I could be as wrong as I usually am.

[E Showell]

Don't forget the well-known economic phenomenon known as "the endowment effect," i.e., the tendency to overvalue things we own. Seller may be suffering from same.

[abscate]

Buying a car in the 2-3k range, the true value has a standard deviation of easily 50% of sales price

If you just want to find the lowest price the seller will cough up, that’s not the value.

I’ll pay more for a clean well maintained CT Volvo from the good zip codes as they are cream puffs, even if it’s more than NADA

[BlackBart]

You might have to rid yourself of the Bavarian virus before A Volvo person will let you into the club.

[Starbuck]

Hello Again,

I hope me posting isn't taken as an annoyance, especially as no one is twisting arms and making you read my desperate pleas to join the Volluminati. I don't mean to be a pest, it just comes naturally.

The search continues! Volvo above was not as nice in person as the pictures made it look (bullet hole in the hood and it had obviously been sitting a while plus there was oil on the back side of the motor in what I figured was PCV related) so I did not pull that trigger.

I'm accidentally looking at the XC70 as well (2003-2007) and have done some reading/searching.

So as I understand it the AWD will become an issue with these but 'most' just change the axle or something and make it FWD at that point? What are your opinions on the XCs vs. V?

If I had time I'd notate my psychological state with my Moosicorn search. It's cyclic rather like the Chinese dynasties; highs and lows. My Bavarian saga continues with the next R and R being the fuel pump according to the shop. I cannot hear it prime (legally deaf) so I'm giving myself a pass on that. I had also hit DILLIGAF after I replaced the starter in the street. In July. In Atlanta. I'll drag her home and replace the pump myself because they want the price of my school semester to do it.

I was all set to test drive an XC but the stealership, after four different people contacted me about it, said it was still pending mechanical inspection. This was after I sent repeated inquiries about when/what mileage the pulleys/water pump/timing belt change was completed.

Thank you as always, reading stuff from fellow gearheads helps me get through the tedium that is my work day.

[abscate]

had also hit DILLIGAF after I replaced the starter in the street. In July. In Atlanta. I'll drag her home and replace the pump myself because they want the price of my school semester to do it.

You are just making yourself a legend here without even owning a Volvo yet...



The later “P2” AWD is a lot stronger than the first generation but the drive axle can be removed if it faults

P80 1992-2000
P2 2001-2007

For the v70 family

[E Showell]

So, I have owned '98 P 80 fwd 5 spd stick V70; 2006 P2 fwd auto, non-turbo; (wrecked, not my fault); 2005 T5 V70 5 spd (ran off road in fog); 2004 XC 70 and 2006 V70 R auto.

Hands down, the most practical and comfortable of them all was the '04 XC 70. Though gas mileage is not great and bears some consideration. The higher ride height, AWD and turbo contribute to lower gas mileage, plus my daughter runs it around town on short trips, so we aren't getting a lot of highway mileage.

Things I don't like about the XC 70 - the hideous plastic cladding. It is just so ugly (that having been said, a $13 bottle of "Wipe Nu" will have a whole car worth of trim looking great for a long time). Bonus: I don't have to look at the ugly trim when I am behind the wheel and deer bounce off the plastic front bumper without leaving a mark. Second downside for my particular vehicle, I am not a fan of the Ruby Red Metallic paint job. Again, I don't have to look at it when driving.

Ride height makes getting in and out a treat for my aging body; provides great visibility on the road as well.

It's a keeper and worth considering a well-maintained one.

I bought mine cheaply, but I knew it needed a new front suspension (minus struts) when I bought it, so I factored that in to my offer. I also had to put a set of tires on it, replace plugs and all coil packs (original to 2004 and lasted about 170 k miles) and just had to replace throttle body and redo TB harness. I still figure I am ahead of the game.

Another interesting tidbit -- a lot of the techs at my local dealer run mid 2000s XC70s. I figure they must know something.

[BlackBart]

I hope me posting isn't taken as an annoyance....

Not at all. Every car person loves the search.

I like "Volluminati" a lot. I might use that.

So, my unschooled opinion is that if you're in GA and don't need AWD, why haul all that extra gearing around? I love my '04 XC70, Betty, but I live in the mountains and snow country. We did just fine in a FWD 850 T-5 wagon for many years with good tires.

I think a FWD version might be the better choice.... Lower, lower center of gravity, plenty of traction for the HP, nice looking, a bit more slippery. I would always push the turbo version as it's just a torquey, smooth-pulling engine and way more fun.

[E Showell]

I agree with BlackBart. You don't need the extra expense, weight and complexity of AWD in Georgia, but is it your long-term plan to live in Georgia? If you are there for school and moving back to, for example, Maine on graduation, the calculus may change.

I never needed the turbo either. Many will complain these cars are underpowered without. I never felt that way. No issue passing on the highway, or even emergency manuevering with an NA. You won't use the turbo in Atlanta traffic. Save the added complexity and expense.

Were I you, I'd be looking for NA, FWD P2 V70. Very nice cars, less to go wrong than the turbo AWD variants.

[abscate]

There are some expensive parts on Volvo but it is about 1/2 the price of BMW - the owners are the real gems though, it is just a classier crowd in all respects.

Evans Ruby Red and Sonic Blue are both gorgeous - don't let him fool you.