Greetings all,


It has been a while since I last posted here on Brickboard but I am here today to ask you for some advice.

I have been offered the opportunity to purchase a 2000 S70 from the estate of the deceased original owner. This S70 is an SE, non-turbo example, with a production date of 01/2000, and has the infamous 5-speed automatic gearbox. The late original owner ordered the car new and took delivery of it in the spring of 2000, and put 255k miles on it in a 20-year period, all on the same transmission. The owner stopped driving it in November of 2020 shortly after being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer - she would end up passing away four months after that.

The S70 has been sitting in the owner's carport for a little over a year. Because the estate was unable to find any buyers while trying to sell it, they are offering it to me for $800.

Any advice that you guys may have for me as I prepare to start the process of reviving this car to put it back on the road? My main concern at this point is the transmission, as it is one of those early Aisin 5-speed units. I did run a Carfax report on it, though. It appears the late owner had the car serviced at the dealer throughout its entire life, and the dealer was the only place she had it worked on. I see that the transmission fluid was drained and refilled every 30k miles or so. Should I continue the practice? Thanks

Hi Juan,

Did you ever buy the car?

Hi,

Yes, it sounds like a car that can be salvaged into a good car.

First thing to do or don’t do, is try to start it up with old gasoline in the tank.
Have it drained or even removed for inspection for gel gasoline or water condensations type of contamination.
Anything in that tank, beside fresh gasoline, is going to spell trouble in the future.

Having a car sitting for a long time is like what happens to people and it’s called atrophy.
Drive Belts and rubber items age of the tires. Check for DOT dates.

If you think about it, these machines are made by and with all traits of the creators who builds them.
Don’t expect less from this and you will come out ahead on getting a car that looks to have been taken care of by the previous owners sincerity of loving that car.

The elements of Mother Earth may seem to be in harmony, but Good ole’Father Time, never rests with convincing us that it’s not so!

Phil

Hi,

Yes, it sounds like a car that can be salvaged into a good car.

First thing to do or don’t do, is try to start it up with old gasoline in the tank.
Have it drained or even removed for inspection for gel gasoline or with water contamination.
Gas tanks are always breathing with barometric pressure changes.
Anything in that tank, beside fresh gasoline, is going to spell trouble in the future.

Having a car sitting for a long time is like what happens to people and it’s called atrophy.
Drive Belts and rubber items age of the tires. Check for DOT dates.

If you think about it, these machines are made by and with all traits of the creators who builds them.
Don’t expect less from this and you will come out ahead on getting a car that looks to have been taken care of by the previous owners sincerity of loving that car.

The elements of Mother Earth may seem to be in harmony, but Good ole’Father Time, never rests with convincing us that it’s not so!

Phil

for $800 with the records showing Trans fluids changed every 30K I wouldn't be afraid of it Buy & drive it till it dies. Even if you only get 2 months out of it It still less than what a used car payment currently to buy per month . If you can find one

Sounds like a good buy!! Yes, continue the drain and fill every 30-40K miles. The gasoline in the tank is still good, the battery may need refreshing.

After you purchase the car, go to the dealer and ask for a service history printout. They will do that for you!

--
Keeping it running is better than buying new

Regular ATF change intervals seem to be the key factor in prolonging the life of the AW-55 5-speed auto gearbox. Check the fluid level on the yellow transmission dipstick found down low under the intake manifold and if it's up to the full mark and has a nice pink color, that should give you additional confidence.

Our 2000 V70 SE / AW-55 with 289K miles and regular ATF changes with Aisin IV or Mobil 3309 ATF has resulted in no problems and normal operation; the transmission shifts and downshifts well. On this V70 SE, ATF changes (dump and fill with about 3 quarts) are performed every ~ 52,500 miles or so.