Looking for words of wisdom and advice.

AwesomeForce · Post by **AwesomeForce** » 31 Jan 2019, 17:15

Hi there, I am looking for advice and wisdom from this community about purchasing a used Volvo. I am looking to replace my '97 850 with a make from the mid '00s. I love wagons and would like to stick with a similar body style. I live in SE Pennsylvania and wanted to know what to look for and what to avoid. Thank you.

Post by **BlackBart** » 31 Jan 2019, 17:50

The thing I learned was to only consider 2003 or later, due to transmission issues. By '04 the issue seems to have been solved. "04 is a good one, with glass headlights. After that there were some windshield leak problems I think, and they had plastic headlight lenses.

Others here know far more than I do and will chime in I hope.

Post by **June** » 31 Jan 2019, 17:59

I see you are new here, so welcome! Look for the usual things like do a glove test to check the pcv system. P2 cars are prone to need axles and control arms after 100k and 12 years. Obviously check fluid conditions. For my part avoid AWD equipped cars that old as likely it was not serviced properly and will cost more than the car is worth to fix. By 150K the radiator seems to fail. Also be wary if a car with a list of codes. Good luck! June

Post by **precopster** » 31 Jan 2019, 18:09

The non turbo wagons (V70s) from the mid 2000s are VERY reliable and have a simple vacuum layout.
Half as many sensors on them as turbo cars as well. Super frugal on fuel too....

Because they're non turbo you can run them on a synthetic blend oil instead of straight synthetic.

Things to watch: Control arm bushings tend to crack and give geometry problems. Get your mechanic to check that out.
Keys fobs are pricey from the dealer so ideally get a car with at least 2 of them.

The RMS can leak so watch out for dark oil leaks in that area between engine and transmission. Some add-to-oil products can stop smaller RMS leaks (we stopped our 2006XC90 RMS leak 2 years ago with an additive)

Test the car by going to a hilly area and driving it hard with lots of hard launches from standstill. This will considerably heat up the transmission and allow you to judge shift quality when hot. If the fluid is new and it shifts poorly run for the hills...
The correct new fluid may fix a lot of problems but then again it may not.

Stay above 2002 and you'll be fine.

IslandV70 · Post by **IslandV70** » 01 Feb 2019, 07:44

I am not sure my plan will work - too soon to tell - but what I looked for was a non-turbo FWD V70 newer than 2002 and prior to the 6 cylinder engines*. I got a 2005 V70 with 58,000 miles that had been garage kept and had all dealer records including a new timing belt. So far I have had to put a fuel pressure sender on and am about to clean the cam solenoid.
* I am, perhaps wrongly, a bit nervous about the Fordified versions.

Post by **mrbrian200** » 01 Feb 2019, 13:29

Compared to the Ford badged vehicles from the 2000s I've had the 'pleasure' of driving or working on, a fordified Volvo from the same era is a different animal. The Volvo is much better, especially when taken care of.
My aunt had an '07 Ford Five Hundred, EUCD platform aka Volvo P3. But the engine/trans drivetrain configuration was different than what's put in the Volvos. She was really good about basic maintainance - oil changes on schedule, trans fluid changed at 70k miles. The trans failed withou warning/catastrophic and had to be replaced at 10y/~100k. The engine burnt tons of oil - like a quart every 1000. Cheap paint cracking/peeling everywhere. It had the 'premium interior package' that wasn't remotely as nice as the Volvos.
A friend of mine used to own a 06 or 07 Ford Focus ZX4 manual. Between year 6-9/ 70-100k miles it started $oaking him, he sat down, started adding and determined it was costing him substantially more to keep on the road than a new car payment with warranty. He ended up buying a new Civic. I don't personally care much for the Civic but I will say compared to the Ford it's been exceptionally trouble free, he has 70k miles on it now...everything works...no issues...no major service, just scheduled fluid changes and a new handsfee bluetooth module (replaced under warranty).

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 02 Feb 2019, 08:04

As alluded to above, my 2002 had a transmission with a small hiccough. A TCM reload and LubeGard (red bottle) smoothed it out to an acceptable level. Knowing the ETM, DIM had been redesigned and the seats had been changed back to an earlier, superior design plus the fact that my '02 was nearing 200K added up and got me looking for a newer V70..

It took me 2 years to find a replacement for my 2002 so I guess advice nugget #1 from me would be to be patient AND get up off your cushions and examine any you find online. Driving to opposite ends of New Hampshire to see 2 bad V70's tested my resolve.

June's advice of doing a glove test is spot on. If you don't know what a glove test is I'll wait until you return and ask as many newcomers make a post then go away for ever.

precopster's advice of warming an automatic transmission fully to reveal balky operation is solid but takes time to accomplish when it's real cold out, like now!

A place near you, Autohaus of West Chester, PA had a beautiful example of an '06 or '07 which drove perfectly. Alas, the car smelled strongly of electrical fire. The engine bay was showroom clean and the wire harnesses looked brand new. I sulked away from that apparent gem under the weight of questioning my decision.

Also near you is a guy with a barn who buys crash damaged Volvos and sells them. His ads came up frequently.

Like BlackBart I dislike the plastic headlight lenses but the other improvements carried the day. Honestly, you think the swine who designate materials could've found a plastic which doesn't oxidize or require a coating which peels.

IslandV70 · Post by **IslandV70** » 02 Feb 2019, 08:36

Can the plastic headlights be swapped out for glass? I.E would 2002 headlights fit a 2005?

AwesomeForce · Post by **AwesomeForce** » 05 Feb 2019, 10:41

Thank you to everyone that advised me. I am currently have me eyes set on a '07 V50 2.4i. 70K miles. They are asking 6295 and the KBB is listed 6313 max fair price.

I plan to inspect the timing belt, the PCV system (with the glove test), check for any leaks, check fluid levels before and after driving, check joints, mounts, brakes.

I am expecting to change plugs, wires and possibly timing belt given the young age of the car.

Thank you once again for your help and I would be delighted to hear more feedback.

Post by **BlackBart** » 05 Feb 2019, 10:49

Oh I like those.