Hello, newbie looking to buy.

Skkele · Post by **Skkele** » 17 Apr 2016, 09:25

Hi all, I'm looking to buy a used first or second gen v70 awd (xc or not, doesn't matter to me).

Any thing I should look out for?

Thanks!

Post by **cn90** » 17 Apr 2016, 09:45

Search forum for "DIYs" , this will give you a good idea what need to be done in a car of this vintage.

Post by **stephansvolvo** » 17 Apr 2016, 10:07

+1 to cn90

Post by **scot850** » 17 Apr 2016, 10:39

Watch Roberts (rspi) video on buying a Volvo on youtube.

I would suggest going for as new a AWD as you can afford. Many of the parts for the P80 (gen 1) AWD are now obsolete, particularly rubber bushes and some of the fuel pipes), so unless you are masochistic, I'd look at a 2004 or newer P2 (V70 AWD or XC70). Parts are easier to find and the AWD system is a lot more reliable. As you are in CA there is a huge Volvo used parts supplier yard in Sacramento area vandsautodismantlers so if you are into wrenching and doing your own repairs then they are a good place to know. So if you absolutely prefer the older gen 1 cars then try them for parts:

http://www.vandsautodismantlers.com/

What I would ask is living in CA why do you want an AWD? Depending on what you are planning to do with the car that needs awd may also dictate what you should look at.

Neil.

Post by **erikv11** » 17 Apr 2016, 11:15

The gen1 AWDs are known to be problematic, almost all of them have problems with drive shaft, bevel gear and/or angle gear, and maybe others; I am by no means an AWD expert but have read about them for a long time. I would stay far away from them as a new-to-you car unless (1) you have a strong need for AWD and (2) you have a strong interest in learning the quirks and hunting down the parts. Or (3) you have an unlimited budget.

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 17 Apr 2016, 13:01

I would say, based on everything I've read here and seen online, and availability of parts, the 98 S70/V70 are great starter Volvos.

When we picked up ours last summer, it needed a tune up, pcv, front and rear suspension, tie rods, control arms, one axle, tires, brakes... We easily spent more than twice what we paid for the car... (And spent more than that for random maintenance stuff.) The next Volvo I get, I'll definitely pay more attention to this stuff. Good luck!

Post by **scot850** » 17 Apr 2016, 15:24

Marco is correct in what he is saying, but I'd add a rider that in FWD versions only.

Neil.

Post by **j-dawg** » 17 Apr 2016, 20:31

Didn't see it mentioned, so be also aware that AWD cars may no longer be AWD. The system is problematic, as others have mentioned, and one solution to the problems is to just remove the propshaft that transmits power to the rear wheels. This makes the car FWD, and it will drive without any indication that something's wrong with the AWD system. If you're really set on an AWD P80 Volvo, keep an eye out for that.