Should I purchase this XC70 2001? Hoping you'll convince me

Spoleto · Post by **Spoleto** » 17 Sep 2006, 20:20

I've an 01 before for a long road trip, it did great. Now i'm looking at a very nice one w/<72k miles@$12000, excellent interior condition, scheduling for my mechanic to view tomorrow evening. Carmx report is perfect, also nada report. I appreciate all the "how-to" forums, but sure would like to think I wouldn't need/have to reflect back to any too soon after purchase.

give me your feedback

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Sep 2006, 22:12

Should be able to do better on the price for the year and mileage. First year for the new style V/XC70. These do have the ETM issue but covered under the new Volvo 10 year/200K warranty, so you should be good there. Just make sure your mechanic checks out the viscous coupling/bevel gear and drive shaft/wear to the rear. Also have him check out the tire tread wear and if the spare tire has been used. If you run these cars with more than 3/32 inch difference for any length of time at all it will damage the AWD system. If the spare is used (different cicumference to the other tires) it will also mess things up (so why does Volvo insist on the donut tire????). These are the things I hear about most on the older XC's. In '03 the whole system was changed to the more robust Haldex system- a better AWD system.

If you buy the car, get an AAA membership and make sure your car can be put up on a truck and transported (not simply dragged to tow) if it breaks down. Either that or replace the donut with a real tire and rotate it in with the other 4 when you rotate your tires, keeping all of your tires withint the 2/32 inch difference in size, and keep an eye on tire pressure...this will also have an affect on tire size and can damage your drive system.

Last of all, although Volvo doesn't necesarily recommend it, the angle gear oil can be pumped out and replaced. If it's the orignial oil, at those miles, I would at least check it and if you buy it, immediately replace it. It's easy and cheap and will help prolong the rear drive system in your AWD.

Good luck!

Post by **JRL** » 18 Sep 2006, 16:09

Mostly correst but the price is OK for an 01 with these miles and NEVER rotate with the spare tire, NEVER.
That went out in 1970 with Radial tires

Spoleto · Post by **Spoleto** » 18 Sep 2006, 19:07

MadeinJapan, many thanks! I really appreciate everything you outlined in your post. I didn't get to the car today, rescheduled for tomorrow.

JRL, also thankful to your reminder about NOT ever rotating w/spare on. Btw, I plan to offer the dealer $1500 < asking price, assuming I really like the car and mechanic thinks it's in good condition, how close do either of you think I should come to his asking price?

Post by **JRL** » 18 Sep 2006, 20:31

Spoleto wrote:MadeinJapan, many thanks! I really appreciate everything you outlined in your post. I didn't get to the car today, rescheduled for tomorrow.

JRL, also thankful to your reminder about NOT ever rotating w/spare on. Btw, I plan to offer the dealer $1500 < asking price, assuming I really like the car and mechanic thinks it's in good condition, how close do either of you think I should come to his asking price?

If he own's it THAT cheap that he would go lower it must not be a very good car.
12K is more than fair for an 01 with 70K

Spoleto · Post by **Spoleto** » 19 Sep 2006, 20:30

JRL wrote:If he own's it THAT cheap that he would go lower it must not be a very good car. 12K is more than fair for an 01 with 70K

Except for this car's need for a front-wheel alignment, it's a beauty! My mechanic met me there, inspected for 2hrs (he's VERY thorough), ran his Domestic diagnostics and a code came up, then I insisted this dealership allow me to take the vehicle down the street to Volvo to run their Volvo software diagnostics and they agreed, and Volvo said it's "a beautiful car, great condition, no codes came up at all," when I told them what the other dealership was asking, they said it was aprxtly $4k under retail, so I should take it. I did!

I love it!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 19 Sep 2006, 22:58

Congrats! Hope it gives you years of trouble free service!

Post by **matthew1** » 20 Sep 2006, 00:26

hey, good work. send pics of your new baby if you want, and i'll put them up in this thread, or do it yourself if you can figure it out.

uploading pics:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... hp?p=16880