What experiences have people had with Torchlight Motors in Parlin, NJ? I just purchased a 2000 V70 with 48k miles on it and it has some "issues." I was just wondering what others of you know about this dealer. Thanks.
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Darius in Albany NY '86 744 GLE (180K, given to my mother-in-law); '91 745 Turbo (195K-my 'Little Red Wagon'), '00 Toyota Camry (90K - my wife's transportation appliance)

Interesting I have a 00v70 standard I bought with 75K. My experience is they are a WHOLESALER, so good price but any problems you will have to fix. I had to change O2 sensor, replace charcoal canister hose, and faulty immobilizer out of the gate for check engine light. Jeff was a bit pushy and claimed it was a gas cap thing (he cleared the codes which came back). Never a breakdown until 25K later I have a transmission issue after fluid change. AAA says parts don't fit standard description from dealer. DON'T CHANGE YOUR FLUID!!!

@V70floats:

There is nothing wrong with changing the fluid in these cars, and in fact it is pretty much a MUST. Most brick owners are out there driving around with completely ruined BLACK trans fluid causing more damage with every mile...

- power flushes with the machines (that automatically pump new fluid in while they pump the old fluid out) will almost surely destroy your transmission
- using the correct fluid is imperative. This is discussed all over this board.
- 4 speed takes DEX III rated fluid, synthetic is best
- 5 speed takes 3309 fluid, fully synthetic by nature
- not sure about new 6 speed

"AAA says parts don't fit standard description from dealer." Who/what is AAA and what parts are you referring to?

Had a terrible experience. I've never bought a new car in my life and never used a dealer - only bought privately and never had a bad experience b/c I did my homework. However, due to a unique set of circumstances and stresses (death in the family) I ended up on his lot several years ago after my 94 840 was totalled while parked on the street. Got the whole story of all his contacts, how he only gets the cream of the crop, blah, blah, blah. Got suckered.

Drove off the lot with what appeared to be a mint 2000 XC. Got home and the alarm started going off w/o reason. Bad sign. Had run a carfax on it before I bought it and it indicated a 'minor' accident. Tracked down the original dealer and ended up speaking to the head of their shop who said, "You didn't buy the car yet did you?" You can imagine the feeling.

In any event, the car had gotten into a major front-end collision and had over $14K worth of damage. When asked why it wasn't just totalled by the insurer I was told it was within $200 and the insurer refused. So they fixed it and Torchlight stepped into the picture and bought. He claimed no knowledge which the dealer said was BS, he knew.

Long and short of it is that I went ballastic and he ended up buying it back from me, less taxes so I was still out $$, but I would never have been comfortable with the car. He said he agreed to buy it back only b/c he'd be able to sell it again in a week. I asked him how he slept at night and he said 'very well, thank you.' Nuff' said.

BTW the car I bought is a 2000 V70 SE with 48000 original miles. It is a one-owner car from Maryland and the exterior and interior are nearly perfect. So I coulda done worse. Now it is just time to let myself enjoy the thing. And that is what it is - a thing. Thanks for the input, feedback.
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Darius in Albany NY '86 744 GLE (180K, given to my mother-in-law); '91 745 Turbo (195K-my 'Little Red Wagon'), '00 Toyota Camry (90K - my wife's transportation appliance)

Aren't you supposed to do the research first? I'm afraid all you'll find is bad news.

Jerry
01 V70 T5a
104K miles

Yeah, well, so it goes. I have been watching the Torchlight website for the last four years and the cars all look great, etc., etc. So far the 2000 V70 we have is working well, but we had to put an extra $800 into it for a new alternator and a few other electrical issues. And Jeff was only slightly sympathetic, though he was courteous and prompt in his response to my email.

Live and learn. I honestly don't know why it just didn't occur to me to check here first. I had gotten out of the habit of using the Brickboard since I gave my old 1991 745 to my daughter a couple of years ago.

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Darius in Albany NY '86 744 GLE (180K, given to my mother-in-law); '91 745 Turbo (195K-my 'Little Red Wagon'), '00 Toyota Camry (90K - my wife's transportation appliance)

Do a search for torchlight and find out the bad news.
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Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Uh -oh
post here first, before the purchase.
Now you will have to post what these little issues are, and hope for the best.
very likely there will be some additional expense involved
I hope it's not too serious
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'97 855na, Mobil 1, K&N, various IPD's and eBay's