RUN, don't walk away from this car! I just sold a 2000 V70XC. I am a retired licensed Master Mechanic, (but not Volvo trained). Bought filthy car with bad trans and other issues, took 2 years to get it "right" Was REALLY nice when sold, made a few bucks. Spent a LOT of time on forums learning about V70XC specific issues.
My advice? Stick to a pre- 2000 car, or 2002 later car if possible, there are tons of them out there.
Issues with V70XC;
>2000/2001 are noted for bad transmissions. Trans. is Aisin Warner unit, also used in many Toyotas, etc. Volvo dealers and majority of independent trans shops will not repair yours, but will only swap it for a re-man unit from Volvo. Cost? dealer quoted $4500+ Most independent trans shops won't touch it. I searched for months for trans rebuild parts; found 1 place in Florida, (I am in metro Detroit where you can get anything auto!). Toyota dealer told me they only exchange them, too. On used cars they try to find used units from recyclers like LKQ. Ended up luckily finding used 60k trans with warranty from large recycler Diehl Auto in Mich/Ohio and the shop that does all of the service work on their truck fleet cut me a good deal on install. Total cost; $1150! Done in 1 1/2 days. Problem with trans is it was made without a serviceable filter. Sludge from normal wear, (clutches, etc), clogs up internal solenoids causing slippage and ultimate failure. After install I added an inline spin on filter and changed it every engine oil change. Result; no further problems.
>Fuel pump!!!$$$$ AWD V70XC uses 2 fuel pumps; driver side pump throws fuel over into pass. side of tank. Drive car a lot with very low fuel and pumps overheat and fail. On sedan there is a small access panel under the rear seat on pass. side. On wagon, bracket for folding lower seat is there. If pump fails, the Volvo dealer will quote you around $550 for the parts. Fix it yourself? You have 3 choices; cut a hole in the floor to access pump, (the "southern engineering" solution), or drop entire rear suspension/rear diff/tank/driveshaft/visco coupling,etc,etc, (the proper Volvo factory procedure, see "VADIS"),or drop R/H rear trailng arm, etc, and drop tank enough for access, easily done in a day in the garage. You may have a big problem disconnecting wire leads for pump. Volvo dealer or independent shop will quote you 10+ hours labor, (@$125+ per hr.), plus $500-$600 for the pump.
>Driveshaft problems; $$$$$$ You will find a lot of cars with the drive to the rear wheels disconnected, FWD only because of the expense of fixing this.
>Bevel drive; $$$$$$
>Head gasket/cooling system/overheating problems; $$$$
These can be great cars, mine was best snow car, ever, far better than 4WD SUVs we've had. Comfortable, good handling, decent fuel mpg, but they can be a money pit if previous owner didn't take care of them or abused them. I paid $800 for mine, previous owner was automotive incompetent young yuppie couple who poured money into car, ($1200 for alternator!), until trans died. They dumped it in Dad's driveway and he begged me to take it or he was gonna scrap it. I made dozens of trips to salvage yards for interior trim parts, mouldings, electrical parts, power window motors, lock motors, etc, etc, and had my buddy's trim shop re-do the leather front seats. I had about $3500 in it, drove it for 2+ years and sold it in mint condition for $5500.
So, don't buy a beat up, cheap one.
|