01 vs 02 V70

jlg · Post by **jlg** » 29 Mar 2006, 19:52

oops, posted this in the XC 1st time....

I've been comparing an 01 and 02 V70 non Turbo.

01 has 140,000 kims

02 has 175,000 kms

The prices are the same. All else being equal, which would you pick?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Mar 2006, 20:29

Not much difference here. I would buy the one with less miles personally if both were equal in every way.

Both have the ETM issue (well, Volvo now pays for it, so no biggie) so be aware of that. However, there is a free software download that is suppose to help with the throttle action, so it would be worth getting at the dealer.

Just drive both and make sure both shift smoothly. Check the A/C...make sure both blow cold air with recirculate on and fan at full blast. Turn the axle hard and make sure there isn't any clicking sounds from the front. Go over some bumps and make sure you don't get clanking or clunking from the front suspension. Other than this, if you really want to compare everything, check the cleanliness under the hood...this will tell you a lot about how they were maintained...including the coolant level, clarity of the fluid and then open the oil fill cap and check the oil...any sludge? Check the dip stick....color of oil. Also, pull the transmission dip stick (driver's side, under the front hoses, you'll see a yellow pull handle) and make sure the fluid is red in tint and not burnt smelling. You can use a white paper towl to drip some of the fluid on...otherwise it's hard to see. Upper engine mount (in circle attached to fire wall on driver's side)...make sure it's not broken. Brakes- make sure the pads aren't totally warn out. I could go on but I think I covered the main things.

Just a few things. You said all being equal, but they may not be at all, so worth the check. Get car fax on both. Make sure they weren't in any accidents, etc. If both are equal in every way, then I'd go with the one with the less miles. If the one with lower miles has some issue (from what was stated above), then negotiate price down or go with the newer one with more miles, depending.

Good luck!