2005 V70 2.5T buying advice

S373N · Post by **S373N** » 16 Sep 2014, 11:43

Currently have a 97 855 NA with 300+k kilometers on it. Purchased it for pocket change and did the timing service myself and had the alternator rebuilt and so far my commutes to work have been trouble free and the car owes me nothing at this point. While it runs and drives A-ok, the suspension is starting to clunk, the steering wheel shakes between 40km/h - 90km/h, the exhaust is leaking, the HVAC is toast and the speedo works only intermittently. While I love the car, I'm starting to wonder if it's worth it to sink the time and money into all of these issues when it will inevitably be worth no more than what I had purchased it for. I am now in a position in which I can afford to finance something a little nicer and have always loved the P2 V70's. I've found a 2005 V70 2.5T in silver with sunroof, 17" wheels, rear spoiler and all of the other goodies - it is my ideal Volvo. It has 157k kilometers (98k miles) and dealer is asking $11k. There is also a 2005 V70R in silver with 148k kilometers (92,500miles) for $13k, however it's an auto and I'm not sure I want to pay the insurance and service premiums on an R unless it's a 6-speed. I like the simplicity of the 855 NA and that I can work on it myself. How much more difficult are the P2 V70's to maintain and repair? How is the reliability on them? Any other thoughts?

Cheers!

Post by **marshallh** » 16 Sep 2014, 19:59

FWIW I bought my 2004 2.5T for $7300, with 103k miles. 1 owner, dealer regularly serviced.

Post by **oragex** » 17 Sep 2014, 15:14

S373N wrote: It has 157k kilometers (98k miles) and dealer is asking $11k. There is also a 2005 V70R in silver with 148k kilometers (92,500miles) for $13k
Cheers!

Holly Batman, nice ripoff. That price is unbelievable. You know the funny part? They paid perhaps 4-5 grands for those cars, maybe less.

Look on local advertising for a private sale and pay no more for than $ 5000 for the 2.5T one. 100k miles is the time when things start going wrong with $$ in repairs (even though you got a rare deal on your old Volvo).

Post by **JRL** » 17 Sep 2014, 16:45

This is CANADA ... they cost much more there

draser · Post by **draser** » 18 Sep 2014, 07:08

Correct, things in Canada are more expensive. Price aside, second part of the question was reliability and maintenance difference between the 850 and P2.... Can't speak to that, never had an 850, could talk about P2 vs. japanese cars... but that's another post...

Post by **oragex** » 18 Sep 2014, 10:41

I am in Canada. I understand the R is quite rare, but the price is astronomical. I'm in Montreal, there are plenty of 2.5T here, it sells maybe 1000-$2000 more than the base 2.4. We don't value much the 2.5 here, I got my 2.4 with 100k miles for $4000 in great condition, still think I've paid too much.

pt850 · Post by **pt850** » 29 Sep 2014, 19:49

I had a 1996 850 with 200,000 miles, now have a 2005 V70 with 85000 miles. Hate to say it but the handling, roominess, and style of the 850 was superior. If I could have found an 850 in good condition when I needed to buy a new car (my 850 was victim of hit/run), I would have.

tmcmilli · Post by **tmcmilli** » 29 Sep 2014, 21:26

I had a 1997 850 NA which I bought in 2005 with 123K miles, kept it for 8 years, drove it a ton, kept it going until December 2013 with 401K miles. Before that I had a 94 Honda Accord that I bought with 93K miles and drove it for about 8 years until it had 378K miles and I gave it to a friend who fell into debt and needed transportation. So my pattern is to buy an older car with a reputation for durability and quality, drive it a lot, and keep it going until it is no longer practical to do so.

The 850 developed a blown head gasket when I retired it and sold it very cheap, at which time I bought a 2002 V70 XC. I already have experienced in less than a year that a V70 XC with turbo is more expensive to maintain than my old 850 was. I'm willing to accept that and I love the car. I know it will likely continue to cost me more annually to keep on the road than the 850 did. But the V70 XC is a much nicer car in several ways, with more refinements, features, and AWD. So I'm willing to accept that it is more sophisticated and will need more attention at times. Having said that it runs great, has more power, rides better, is bigger and heavier and STILL gets a little better fuel milage (as long as I keep my foot out of it) than my NA 850 did during most of the time I owned it, and the XC is super nice to drive. Love it.

I also can tell from what all I've learned can fail, that I will not be able to keep the 2002 XC on the road for 8+ more years. So I will keep up the routine maintenance and other repairs, and enjoy a true luxury car as long as it is practical to keep it on the road, hopefully for several more years.

Post by **oragex** » 30 Sep 2014, 16:02

400k miles is quite a nice number. I've seen a 2002 V70 with about 270k miles (highway driving) and the engine was pretty much already tired.