i bought a super low mileage 2001 xc, in '08. that ran flawlessly, even when driven hard in vermont. then it started to have wacky tranny issues, sometimes top gear would pop in and out on the highway and the bevel gear sounded like there were russian elves inside. so i spit shined her and dumped it for what i paid for it and told the new owner good luck.

i am going to be making a major move from mass to wash, i'm sick of it here! and i want to upgrade again. currently driving an 83 245 named sophie, that i scored for $300, but i have some reservations about her pulling a trailer 3000+mi. she's a great wagon, put my volvo sheepskinners in there and a stereo. even came decked out with 4 brand new michelins. runs like a top, suppose, it would be a great adventure. (ooohhh, reminds me of my beloved 82, gave that one away. to someone that really needed a set of reliable wheels, because he was sick.)

i digress, going to go and look at an 03 xc tomorrow and was just curious what the AWD folks think are decent years, for AWD systems and tranny reliability issues. thanks in advance and just would like to add. you guys rule! i only belong to, two forums. one for angry veterans and one for happy peeps. the ones tapping on brake lenses at gas stations to get the bulb to come on and getting a thumbs by the guy watching you do it. 50%italianand50%swede...out

If I had a good 745 or 245 that did not have body rot, I would never buy a newer Volvo to replace it.

We have 2008 and 2012 XC70s - that we really enjoy - but they are expensive to repair. I only got newer Bricks because our pair of 855s needed a lot of replacement of parts that wore out. Out 17 year old '96 855R was still a hoot to drive, but develop[ed rot behind the rear passenger door.

I actually got a free '92 245 and a $200 '90 745, both cars were registered and had current Massachusetts inspection stickers.

I asked my wife which one I should bring ip to stage I ( up to proper maintenance standards ) so that we could sell the '08 and use the older car as a second car.

My wife told me that she would never drive the older car! ( Happy wife, happy life. )

I think that Klaus has the right idea.

When you get to Washington, you can probably find a nice used Volvo there - even if you have to travel to California, to avoid the tin worm.

Be sure to get the hitch weight correct and don't hammer the car.

We are going to northern Minnesota for the 10th time to visit our daughter and this year we are going through Canada - we drove over the great lakes before, and the trip was smooth and enoyable and only took 1/2 a day longer than blasting across route 90.

An anecdote - the $200 745 had bad paint on the roof and hood, but the owner's uncle ( she had just graduated from college ) had prepped the car to go cross country and told her to take the 745 instead of the 2008 Toyota that her parents had given her as a graduation gift - except for the paint, it was a sweet car!

I plan to find a good 745 next summer and see if my wife will be willing to drive it.

James, look for a west coast 945. The 900's have LSD for those snowy days and are a bit newer. The oneway flight and 3 day drive could be a lot of fun!

Of course, a 245 like this:

https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/d/vancouver-84-volvo-240-wagon-manual/6970120021.html

If I can get rid of my driver 544, my basket case 1800S, and my rest mod '54 Delray i hope to get wifey into a 164.

Anyone want a fleet of decent old cars?

How much you askin'?

The "68 1800S is $750, the '64 544 is $3,500, and the '54 Chevy is $12,000.

See the class ads for more info.

After struggling with tranny issues I finally flushed the fluid and all was good.
I have been driving a 2007 XC70 for years and would recommend this generation. The 2008 non-turbo I tried drove like a pig, and I could not get comfortable in the new seat design.

I agree with the other posters. Unless you really need AWD stick with a regular V70 - simpler. Suggest 2004 to 2007 models. Almost bought one of those before buying my Passat wagon so did a lot of research on the 2001+ V70/XC’s. The Passat now has 231k so I might yet buy a V70/XC of that vintage....:) Friend has a 2011 XC T6 (V70). Fastest Volvo I’ve ever driven but a very heavy car and electronically very complex. Doesn’t handle great. A bit of a pig. Not my cup of tea...

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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

I'd recommend the 2004 year. The headlight lenses are polycarbonate and show no aging (2004 was the last year for this feature). Also, the 2004 has a much better Haldex AWD than 2001-2003.

That said, the FWD V70 is easier to take car of than the XC70. If you pull a trailer cross country, be sure to do a Gibbons tranny flush after you get out to WA.

Take Sophie to Washington state. She will handle the interstates quite well. so long as you watch the tire pressure.

I would get a V70 before an XC70, just fewer things to go wrong along with better mpg. Besides, a V70 is a little bit cheaper.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.