Purchase of 2002 V70 Cross Country

looloo · Post by **looloo** » 31 Jan 2011, 12:34

I have a 2000 V70 and I really love my wagon. I found a 2002 in Pennsylvania that looks good, I am thinking of driving it back to Miss. It needs a wheel bearing and a windshield, what kind of damage could I do driving it with wheel bearing needing work? The price is good, and I have someone that wants to buy my old one so I am looking for a newer one. I was reading on another page the other day and someone had posted a response never to buy a 2001 V70, any comments?

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 31 Jan 2011, 13:17

01 trannies are the worst, the 02 tranny is a tad better if the fluid has been serviced before the 70K mile interval.

Check the tranny fluid, if dark and smells burnt, then pass and look for a 03 or newer

Post by **JRL** » 31 Jan 2011, 14:40

I would not drive 1100 miles with a bad wheel bearing and have the possibility of it burning out before you get it home.
ESPECIALLY this week with the tons of snow you're about to get!!!
(Replace it before you leave)
Personally I would not buy an 02 either but it's your money pit so good luck

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 Jan 2011, 17:30

01-02's had 2 major trouble spots (3 for AWD):

1) Transmission. As jda2000 said, slightly better on the 2002 models if well taken care of. The 2001 ones have a stop-neutral feature that jerks the car in and out of gear every time you stop, and they all end up dying.
2) Electronic throttle - these all also fail; the question is just when. If it has been replaced under recall, you should be OK for a few years.
3) Mechanical AWD system can be problematic and expensive to fix if not properly cared for. The bevel gear and driveshaft are common failure points, begin making noise, and most people just end up running the car as FWD models.

If you have a 2000, the 2002 is not really "improved" much - it has all the same trouble spots as a NA 2000 model with a new face. They worked out *most* of the kinks by 2003-2004.

Again, if well taken care of, it could be a good car for you. But absolutely don't drive that far on a bad wheel bearing - I drove 150 miles on one that onset suddenly and it felt like my wheel was going to fall right off the car.

looloo · Post by **looloo** » 02 Feb 2011, 10:16

I am thinking of taking a mechanic with me, who can fix it quickly on the road, if the wheel bearing is a problem. Otherwise, I will be mapping volvo mechanics from Penn. to Miss.

Post by **JRL** » 02 Feb 2011, 14:58

Let's see, you've read not to go near an 01 or most 02s.
People here have told you the same.
However, you're choosing to ignore everyone and buy a car that's 1000 miles away from you, needing work NOW but considering driving it anyway (and with a bad wheel bearing to boot)?
Why did you bother to ask us in the first place?