2004 XC70 - Possible purchase, looking for input!

[ReginaR]

Greetings! I am new here. I'm the (sometimes proud, sometimes frustrated, but always determined) owner of a 1982 245 DL. This weekend, we are attempting the unprecedented - we may actually purchase a car built in this millenium, a 2004 XC70. Going to take a look on Saturday.

I am reviewing the archives for things to look for, but in the mean time I'm hoping to get some input from others and any tips regarding things we should check out on the car.

Background on us - very mechanically inclined and do most all work on our own cars and motorcycles (including the dreaded but not so bad afterall wiring harness and blower motor on the 245). Have dreamed of the XC70 since the '01 change. Now have a chance to own one. Maybe.

It's a clean but relatively high mileage car - 185,000. Will get "Car fax" or like from dealer. Says it runs smoothly and is in exceptional shape. Photos look promising.

Any advice on anything out of the ordinary to look for or check would be warmly welcomed! And thanks in advance for any input, and for what looks like a great forum!

Regina
ps brevity has never been one of my virtues, apologies.

[swimNdrive]

Welcome! It looks like you are a DIYer and have already done a lot of homework. I think that's the most import requirements if you want to own this car. I owned a 2001 and now own a 2004. 2004 is a better year for XC70. Everyone in my household is a driver and everyone likes this car. However, I do spend a lot of time working on them, by the way, which I do enjoy. In terms of what to look out for, there are many posting on this topic in this forum and others on the net. 2003-2004 are almost the same car. 2005-2007 have have some changes but not too much. Google is your friend if you like spend time reading them. Good luck for your car hunting.

[ReginaR]

Thanks for the reply. Anxious to check out the car. Glad to hear they're an enjoyable rig.

Interesting, though, that you say you work on it all the time, as by making this move from the old '82 to the '04 we'd hoped to alleviate some of that! But, I imagine a high-mileage car is a high-mileage car regardless of vintage.

Anything special you think we should look for - or look out for?

[xHeart]

Thanks for the reply. Anxious to check out the car. Glad to hear they're an enjoyable rig.

Interesting, though, that you say you work on it all the time, as by making this move from the old '82 to the '04 we'd hoped to alleviate some of that! But, I imagine a high-mileage car is a high-mileage car regardless of vintage.

Anything special you think we should look for - or look out for?

Awesome cars.
Robert says, five things to check before you put the money down, starting with all CEL codes.
1) condition of head/ leaking at gasket
2) condition of PCV
3) timing belt record - water pump, and cam seals
4) rear main seal
5) working of transmission/AWD
I add, 6) radiator, hoses, cooler lines

[oragex]

As others say it is a good year, but coming from the dealer you have no way to know if it's highway or city mileage and that's unfortunate because 180k city driving I won't touch that vehicle. If it was driven mostly highway I would bet around 3000$ but again, it's the dealer so the price will be higher.

Maybe at least you can check with the dealer on computers if it was regularly serviced at that place.

Many 10 years old Volvo look exceptionally clean, including the paint.

[ReginaR]

Thank you very much for the info! Unfortunately the target car was sold before we could get there today. But we'll take this info going forward, and hope to be asking questions about our new ride soon. Meanwhile, off to go fix the hatch latch and taillight on the '82...