I'm not totally a newb on this, as I have read about the issues surrounding the bevel gear but I'm not sure it was very clear about what year it has been (mostly) cured.

Also, when looking at the car, what are some telltale signs that the car has problems?

thanks.
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1991 745

The only way to know if a used car has problems is through maintenance history. Period. A test drive won't surface much unless there is a severe problem that hasn't been disclosed by the seller.

The AWD bevel gear got a little better in 03. Still need the fluid flushed every 50K or so.
If you really want an AWD then get as new as possible, up to 07.

Klaus
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Common sense trumps a PhD

Klaus and I discussed using polarized sun glasses here :
http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=1338079&show_all=1

I got a cheap pair and they have worked wonders.

I should have followed Klaus' advice and gotten brown tint instead of the grey/black, but other than that I'm thrilled with the results. Just keep the polarized glasses in the car and you'll (almost) never worry about dash glare again!
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1998 V70 AWD Turbo 190k+

LOL I forgot all about that post, probably because I always wear my sunglasses rain or shine.

Klaus
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Common sense trumps a PhD

I presently have 3 bricks as daily drivers and have posted before with XC questions. I've been considering an '05 to '07 XC70 (I don't like the new ones, or their reliability) if I can get over the luxury hump as well as the road feel. A recent concern has been the curved, continuous dash--no line of demarcation like on the new ones. With a taupe interior, the upper dash near the windshield is taupe, and seems to create a lot of reflected light. The new ones all have matte black upper dashes, regardless of interior color. I had an '86 745 which had a light colored upper dash and it was a PITA. I had to put a dark colored folio on dash in front of the driver to cut down on glare, especially on trips. Has anyone had a problem with this or seen it discussed? With all the curves, I doubt setting something dark up there would work. Something velcroed on for trips would work, but not sure I like that kind of workaround on a $20K car.

This has always been a problem, not just Volvo either. It gets worse when someone has the car "detailed" and they get shiney Armorall poured all over it!

You could look around for an upper dash piece for a dark gray interior at a junk yard. Or get a cloth and velcro it over the instrument panel curve. Not too many options.

Klaus

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Common sense trumps a PhD

In my old 760 I was ready to try applying one of those 'spray dash' products for covering interior enhancements with a dash-like foam. I got a can of it from a guy I know who installs equipment in police cars, and they cover all their mount brackets etc with it. It's a black foamy textured spray - the can I have is made by a Canadian company called Dominion Sure Seal.
http://www.dominionsureseal.com/productsdetails.asp?id=154&catid=32

My 760 dash was cracked every way possible though - I don't know if I'd be so eager to spray something like that all over my nice V70 dash. It's pretty much perfect except for the glare.

And like I said before, the only time it's a problem is in the bright sun, when you'll probably want to wear sunglasses anyway, so get some polarized lenses and forget about your glare problems.

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1998 V70 AWD Turbo 190k+

"You could look around for an upper dash piece for a dark gray interior at a junk yard. Or get a cloth and velcro it over the instrument panel curve. Not too many options."


On the '07 at least, the upper dash on passenger side flows down past the glove box. Not sure a dark replacement would be possible and look at all good. The '08 went to a separate upper dash piece.