Yes, I know about the tranny and electrical problems....:) What specifically are the symptoms of each?

My Dad has a friend with a mint (according to him) 2001 V70. Only 80,000 miles. The guy is asking $6500. His friend is 85 years old and according to my Dad is "fussy". He is giving up the car because he and his wife are moving to a retirement community.

This car literally just became available and I have not seen it yet.

I welcome any opinions. I certainly have my doubts, but maybe a lower price (factoring in a possible tranny replacement) and a tranny flush might sway me somewhat.

Thanks all!
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95 855 GLT Sportwagon, 93 854 GLT (for sale), 90 244 DL 300k :)

Quick update:

My Dad bought the car! 77k and very nice. 1 small dent in the drivers door otherwise the exterior is mint. Interior mint. All records, throttle recall done. Needs an oil change and an exhaust hanger then it is ready for its first serious road trip...

Dad is a happy guy :)

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95 855 GLT Sportwagon, 93 854 GLT (for sale), 90 244 DL 300k :)

Too much, even if it has been well taken care of. See if you can talk him down into the $5K's - if not, then I would leave it alone and look for a newer model.

Ask if the stop-neutral update has been done to the transmission (you will feel a bump or hesitation taking off from a COMPLETE stop), and ask (or look) about the ETM - look for a yellow sticker to indicate replacement under warranty. These are two majorly expensive things that can go wrong and set you into a huge hole.

Guess I didn't make it clear. My Dad is considering buying this car not me.

BTW - What does ETM stand for?

Good info, thanks guys!
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95 855 GLT Sportwagon, 93 854 GLT (for sale), 90 244 DL 300k :)

Oh, well tell him then! =)

ETM is the electronic throttle module. They are a nightmare on 99-2002 models. In 2003, the throttle control went to a "dumb" design, controlled solely by a motor and the engine computer itself, rather than being its own unit. The failure rate of the units dropped significantly.

"fussy" is good. Ask if he always had it serviced at the same shop. If so, have him get the repair records.

If you buy the car, you will have to 'break it in' again. Engines don't like multiple drivers with different styles. Flush the fluids, all of them. If you do your own tranny flush, it's less than $100 and 30 minutes of time.

Mostly, the trannies require software updates. There are cases of solenoids failing, but that is usually due to lack of a flush at 50-60K.

If it has a turbo, clean out the PTC nipple.

Klaus
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Praying for Cynthia Amendt, heaven bound

Buy it and then go out and buy an extended warranty. That should alleviate any latent transmission worries. I have a 01 V70 T5, 127K mi. It's no better, no worse than any of the other Volvo's I've owned.