2006 XC70 Which should i buy?

james166 · Post by **james166** » 14 Apr 2015, 18:11

I'm looking at purchasing another Volvo, and XC70 type wagon. I've found two possible choices:
1) A 2007 XC70 with 120K miles, asking about $12K. Sold by a dealer.
2) A 2006 XC70 with 142K miles, asking $6500. Sold by an independent mechanic that I know.
The condition of each seem similar, normal wear and tear you would expect for a car with over 100K miles. Both have had timing belts done recently or within spec.
I'm inclined to save $5.5K and go with the cheaper one, but not if it's going to be a huge maintenance headache. I could try to get the dealer down but probably not much.
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

james166 · Post by **james166** » 14 Apr 2015, 18:17

Perhaps I should also add that the projection is that we would put on about 6-7K miles per year on the car and would like to keep it for about 5 years.

Post by **vtl** » 16 Apr 2015, 06:42

2007 XC70 is expensive. I've got my 2005 XC70 w/ 79k on the clock 2.5 years ago for 14k negotiated down to 12k after pointing dealer to several problems, and still that was bit expensive.

Post by **xHeart** » 16 Apr 2015, 07:39

Awesome cars.
Each is out of warranty.

Post by **GBS** » 16 Apr 2015, 08:37

I'd definitely go with option 2. 20k miles isn't that much difference in the big picture and $5.5k can buy a lot of parts if you put them on yourself. Just check the basics covered in other car buying advice posts and expect there to be some issues, figuring not all need immediate attention. To me its about how car was cared for the car more than miles.

I'd never buy a used "high" mileage car at a dealer, there is a significant price increase over private sale and though it may be comforting to think you'll be dealing with someone who will help you with issue, my experience has been quite the opposite. Any car can have serious issues when you buy it, at any miles, but do look it over thoroughly and start doing some of the basic maintenance yourself.

Post by **oragex** » 16 Apr 2015, 12:27

Assuming both don't have any major issues, of course the cheapest is the logical one because it will allow you to save a couple of grands which (hopefully not) will serve for any major repairs.

At 150k miles it will have no troubles going for another 50k miles but of course expect repairs such as alternator, a/c pulley, control arm bushings, axle drives, possibly shock absorbers.

The car at 120k, it doesn't mean at all that being sold by the main dealer, it will necessarily have less repairs. I would expect both cars you are talking about to require more or less the same repairs in the next 5 years.

Just a word on cars sold by independent mechanics, I would guess he bought the car from a customer with some major repair that he fixed himself, inspect the car carefully by another mechanic.

james166 · Post by **james166** » 16 Apr 2015, 20:10

Well, I decided to go for the cheaper one. I agree it's not worth the extra $5-6K for first one as it's very similar and both have relatively high miles. The good news is that I was able to take the car home for a day and look it over very carefully, checking every button and knob as well as a complete exterior and undercar inspection. Everything looks good, and it drove and shifted very well. Only issue was a sticking sunroof, and that will be fixed. Looks like I'll be adding another Volvo to the fleet!

Post by **xHeart** » 17 Apr 2015, 10:53

james166 wrote:Well, I decided to go for the cheaper one. I agree it's not worth the extra $5-6K for first one as it's very similar and both have relatively high miles. The good news is that I was able to take the car home for a day and look it over very carefully, checking every button and knob as well as a complete exterior and undercar inspection. Everything looks good, and it drove and shifted very well. Only issue was a sticking sunroof, and that will be fixed. Looks like I'll be adding another Volvo to the fleet!

Pictures?

james166 · Post by **james166** » 28 Apr 2015, 20:53

OK, I've got the 2006 XC70 and have been driving it for about a week now. Everything seems pretty good except for one issue (there's always at least one!). I noticed that to get the AC going I have to turn the temperature down to nearly the lowest setting. If I turn the temp. knob all the way CCW the AC comes on with no problem and works fine. But if I set it to 65F it blows warm air even if the cabin feels relatively warm already. The engine temp. gauge reads in the normal (12 o'clock) position. I also noticed that after driving a while and then turning the car off the radiator fan stays on for about a minute, even though it's not that hot out (around 50 F). I'm wondering if maybe the thermostat on the engine is not working properly.

Post by **vtl** » 28 Apr 2015, 20:58

Air distribution system needs calibration.

Nothing wrong with running fan, mine does the same (wife's 2002 V70 - does not).