Do you have Volvo knowledge?

[fotoguzzi]

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/5014087618.html

missed out on the Explorer Sport Trac.. what do you know about Volvo's? run away?

[dxhall]

C70s are nice cars but don't hold their value well.  Main fault is that they're a 5-cylinder turbo.  Turbos are not cheap to fix, and 100k is a lot of miles on an original turbo.  Give it a test drive and see how you like it.

[egschade]

Have had two V70's which are largely the same. Almost bought a C70 recently. Big thing for me is maintenance records and oil changes. If no service documentation is available then be wary. At 100K and 14 yrs old it needs a timing belt kit ASAP if not already done - not cheap if a mechanic has to do it. ABS modules can also get wonky as the 70 series get older. Last thing to check are for oil leaks around the dipstick (possible recall - can't remember) and the turbo oil lines.

[Kentktk]

Engine is bullet proof and the Turbo`s go 200K easy. Turbos are only $400 so it`s not a big ticket item.  Sitting on one with 160k with that engine combination as I write this with no issues. AS mentioned the ABS/Trac controller can  be an issue but that year is a less than $400 fix. It`s probably been replaced already. The big problem with with 2000 to 2003/4 V70's C70's and S70's is the Auto Trans. There are a couple of shift solenoids that are weak and it leads to shifting issues. It can be a self fix but it`s not fun. Almost every other Volvo of those years will have had or need a solenoid replaced. Knock the price down a little to makeup for that. If you test drive it run the trans hard if you get delayed shifts, stay away or fix it. You`ll mostly see the delayed shift issue in a rolling slow down and then adding power to go. I am pissed though because my CV boot just let go after 18 years.....lol

[twhitaker]

My SIL had a Volvo and frequently mentioned they should be sold in pairs so she could still have one while the other was in the shop.  ;D

[fotoguzzi]

C70s are nice cars but don't hold their value well.  Main fault is that they're a 5-cylinder turbo.  Turbos are not cheap to fix, and 100k is a lot of miles on an original turbo.  Give it a test drive and see how you like it.

thanks, not sure I even want to test drive it.

[Tobit]

My Volvos. In the three number scheme, 1st is the model, 2nd # of cylinders, 3rd # of doors.

'88 745T  M46 manual trans w/ electronic OD.  (700 series, 4 cylinder 2.3l, 5-door -wagon, T=Turbo)  200,000 + miles, on original turbo, exhaust system, trans, etc.  The red engines, which were the cast iron 4 cyl, were bomb proof with exception of the "K" block which had thinner con rods susceptible of ventilating the block when hot rodded.

'94 945T, auto, Volvos greatest car.  220,000 miles, original turbo, exhaust, trans.  Weak point?  Interior falling apart after 20 years.  Can't anything last anymore?

'95 855T, auto.  The best of the 8 series Porsche designed 5 cylinders.  Still driving it with 216,000 miles, original turbo, exhaust, etc.  Recently overhauled all suspension.  Shocks, struts, bushings, mounts, hubs, etc.  Radiators last 100,000 miles, also just replaced T-belt, tensioner, idlers, water pump, fuel pump and filter.  Runs like a freaking jet when the boost goes positive.  Surprises a lot of Mustangs with low ratio rear ends.  Weak points?  AC evaporator and transmission.  My evaporator is still ok but I recently had to replace the trans with a used unit.

2001 V70, C70?  Stay as far away from any AWD model as the transfer case eats itself up.  Problem with many early XC90s too.

Volvos can be great cars if you DIY.  Otherwise repair costs will eat you alive.  They're reliable, but regular maintenance is hideously expensive at the dealer.  I DIY everything except the 855Ts transmission swap since I don't have a lift.  

Service records are critical.

Do not worry about the turbos.  Volvo figured out turbocharged gasoline engines decades ago and they're dead reliable.  Seems Ford would have studied all the data after they acquired Volvo.  Seems there are some issues with Ecoboost related to the twin turbos, intake and fueling systems.

Tobit

p.s., I recently sold the '94 945T.  The couple who bought it came from 6 hours away.  They had just salvaged their '94 945T with half a million miles on it.  My 200,000 mile car was just halfway through it's life. 

[toma nova]

We had a 2002 V70XC with that engine and transmission.  85k miles, nothing but fluids and filters, it never went to the dealer in almost five years.  We sold it to move to Japan or would still be driving it.  The I-5 low pressure turbo is fantastic - no lag, very peppy, it moved our heavy wagon easily and I would surprise people off the line all the time!  The C70 is not AWD so don't worry about the bevel box (the pre-2007 is not as reliable as the current Haldex transfer case).

If you're comfortable doing your own maintenance, there are great online resources like xc70.com, swedespeed.com and turbobricks.com.  V70s, S60s, and this C70 share the same platform from 2001-2006.  If this example drove well (heeding the transmission advice posted above) and the top is in good condition, I would not hesitate, but I like fixing stuff!

My wife now has a 2010 XC70 with the low-pressure I-6 and it has only been to the dealer for two warranty issues:  control arm bushing and a/c compressor, both no cost repairs.  Great in my opinion for 65k miles.

Tom

[pauldaytona]

well I own an v70 /2003 d5 163 hp diesel. Engine had nothing but regular maintenance, what is new oil and filter, belt every 100k. Car now has 355000km.  I love it. No electric hickups, even still has stock battery after 12 years. And its an automatic.

[Two Checks]

The main thing with turbos is always, always keep the oil changed and let the engine idle for a minute before shutdown to allow the turbo to cool.
I still have the complete induction system from my old 744T.

[agoldfish]

I had a 2001 V50 2.5L Turbo DIesel with 340,000km on it. GREAT CAR! Reliable and comfortable.

I only sold it because they changed the emissions regs here and i didnt want to shell out 2K for a particle filter for a car worth less than the filter.

Chris

[Rotten Ralph]

My '04 C70 has 52,000 miles on it.
Put on a new top ($2000) since the car is out all of the time. Figured that was way cheaper than a new car since (as mentioned) the value is only about $6-7000 and my mileage is low.
(A car ran a stop sign and knocked off the rear bumper so, even though no structural damage, it will show on CarFax and drop the value by about 20-25%.)

Had the auto transmission flushed due to shifting problems - which was a cure.

Replaced one window switch.

Not much trunk or back seat space.

Rattle in dash on some bumps (apparently common).


Overall, I really like the car. I bought it used (15,000 miles on it) for $16,000. New it was about $54000 and had every option available.

[toma nova]

Had the auto transmission flushed due to shifting problems - which was a cure.

On this generation 2.4 / 2.5 automatic, a transmission flush is very easy to DIY since there is a dipstick to refill / check the level.  It takes a case of Mobil 3309 fluid and a couple of feet of clear tubing and 30 minutes, all from the top of the engine.  I did our 2002 every 30k miles and never had a hiccup with lots of spirited driving.  Current models have a "sealed" transmission and the flush is much more involved.

[rbm]

Run away as fast as possible.  Once Volvo ownership changed into Ford's hands in the early millennium, the build quality of the car plummeted.  I owned a 1995 V750 and LOVED it.  What an appliance; just fill with gas and occasionally oil.  Bought a 2005 XC90; worst car I have EVER owned and was glad to dump it as a trade-in for a Mercedes.

[fotoguzzi]

wow, you guys are really HOT or COLD on these cars.. I was ready to skip looking at it but now I'm not so sure.. maybe a good place to go on a bike ride.. it's 40 miles or so away.

[jabberwocky]

I had a station wagon, same year as this convertible. It is the same chassis, and all the same running gear. It was a really good car. Whoever said 100000 is a lot for a turbo is full of baloney. I had a SAAB 900 turbo that I drove to 345,000 mi on the original turbo. My Golf TDI is on its original turbo, and it has 280,000mi. The V70 wagon we had, we bought with 90,000, and in the first six months, we had to fix a lot of stuff, but then it went for a long time and needed NOTHING. It was a good solid car. Parts were on the expensive side, but not too bad. Easy to work on though.

[grinmaul]

Had a 99 v70r, wicked car, 280,000km with orig turbo and motor. it did have the angle gear(transfer case) replaced. the r model used a high pressure turbo.

that c70 your looking at seems expensive, and it seems to be missing the highly prized c70 jeweled headlights, did the owner sell and put standards in there?

edit: jewel headlights started in 2003, never mind:) price is to high still:)