This weekend I will drive (~ an hour) to look at a '02 V70 brick (wagon, auto trans.) with 220k miles. The car is being sold by the original owner, a retired school teacher, who has kept up all maintenance/records. The car has been garaged all of its life, and from pictures it appears to be in very good condition (leather interior is beige, so it shows the usual aging you would expect after 12 years). The owner states that the car has not been in any accidents. Owner is asking for fair blue book value/price: $2,200. The car would be my third 5-cyl brick, this one targeted for my boy, who will start driving this year.

Questions:

- What should I look for (or ask the owner) while I'm checking out the car?

- Is $2,200 a fair price, assuming there are no major issues?

- Any known issues with that year's V70 model?

- Anything else I should consider before buying the car?


Thanks in advance,

Bernie

I humbly suggest you try searching around here for a post I previously put up, that includes a link to (I think) a thread on the swedishbricks forum. I had been discouraged that there was no easy-to-find summary of lessons learned/ typical maintenance/ things to watch for on the FWD/AWD cars. So I asked the question and ended up getting a pretty good list of things to watch for and a year by year comparison.

Wish I had a little more time, but I don't have time right now to track it down. Good luck and hope it helps.

Interesting that, according to my insurance agent, some of the older cars - like 940 wagons - are worth more than some of the newer FWD cars.
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'85 240 DL with 39K miles, '94 940 with 192K

Our '96 850 wagon is definitely built 'better' than our '07 V70. Unfortunately, the interior is already falling apart in the '07. 'Hoping that an '02 is built better than an '07.

Thx,

Bernie

The tranny on the earlier year cars were questionable, so check the fluid and ask to see the maintenance records for software updates. I doubt that the fluid has been flushed, but ask anyway.

I have never seen a dealer suggest to change the brake fluid or coolant, something that should be done every two/three years.

Make sure there are 2 keys and remotes that work, replacement is very expensive. Verify that all the electrics work, sunroof, windows, radio, etc. The pre 2004 have DIM/CEM problems.

At 220K, it should be on newer struts. Hand brake will probably need to be rebuilt.

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My name is Klaus and I am a V♂lv♂holic

Thanks Klaus! I'm guessing it may also require a timing belt/water pump change, unless done as part of scheduled maintenance.