OK so my wife has Volvo wagons on her approved second vehicle list; I've spent a goodly part of the last 12 hours reading horror stories ( I know, most every hater posts, regardless of marque) but I need help from the hard core Volvo folks. I am considering an exceptionally clean appearing 2001 XC70 with 145K. Air bag alert on the dash is on, and the car emits an odd intermittent low pitched noise under 15 miles an hour, appears to be coming from the left front and stops when brakes are applied - braking seems fine (new rotors/pads all around, this is a small independent dealer) Goes down the road straight, seems pretty truck like but I suspect that's the nature of the beast? No other issues evident, offered at $3500.00 which seems fair? I'm in New England (snow and salt country) so the AWD and rust resistance are appealing but the horror stories have me wary - any help on the issues mentioned and positive and negative reinforcement appreciated. 2001 model year seems to have issues, especially the XC? Thanks members from the new guy!

 

All modern cars have horror stories, it just depends upon which forum that you visit.

My suggestion to you is to find a 1978 Chevrolet Nova, 1977 Dodge Aspen or maybe an old Ford Taurus, something more appropriate for your budget, that has virtually no electronics and is more simple.

What exactly is an "approved second vehicle list", anyway?

You're looking for a 2001 model, something 15 years old? I suppose that you want the car perfect, too.

 

Thanks for the helpful (cough -moronic-cough) response : "Senior Member" - I bought a 2003 V70, suggest you buy a life - I thought this would be an appropriate place to get some advice on the most dependable years/models instead I get an idiotic demeaning pile of crap. Thanks for your help, idiot.

 

I believe that my post dealt with your question head-on. However, you seem to not like the response.

Every product out there except for maybe a Q-Tip has horror stories. Frankly, I don't see a transmission failure or something along those lines as a horror story. It is just part of vehicle ownership.

The problem is that people generally don't have the finances to keep these cars in good order and they proceed to junk themselves. Not just Volvos, but every brand.

As a dealer, I buy cars every week and catch up all of the deferred maintenance and repairs. You have expectations above your budget, in my opinion.

 

Did you get it? We have an 03 XC70 and have put about 20k on it in the year we've had it Had to replace the front wheel bearings, but those were cake.

 

Yep, I did! $1200.00 bucks for a salvage 2003 title V70, one owner w/102K, Belt and Pump @ 98K. Needed a front fascia, one headlamp assembly, and the fascia trim, a small curl in the hood straightened. $900.00 for parts (RockAuto was $100. bucks cheaper, w/freight, than my body man's wholesale price BTW) and labor. So, I have $2100.00 in my wife's new favorite car. Just 5,000 miles so far, but no issues to date - did go through it and did the usual preventative stuff as apropo before I put it on the road."You have expectations above your budget, in my opinion." nope ...What I expect is I will now get to drive our 2014 ML400 every day!

 

Still sounds like a budget challenge to me.

 

No one gives a **** what you think, tony1963

 

If some body don't have any thing to help, they should have no business in this forum, every one have a right of hope to buy a good car in their budget, buy a low price car is not mean to pay for scrap home with all kind of issues.
I bought at the auction a salvage title 07 XC70 with 177K miles, paid $1700 for it, beside fix and replace some broken parts, the car now look beautiful, put new tires, new front brake pads and rotors, flushed coolant, replace trans fluid twice ( do it again in Spring), replace the angle gear oil, the car ran beautiful with no issue, will do the PVC service next week if the weather allow, will change spark plugs, timing belt, water pump, serpentine belt and tesioner, all I DiM. You should do to your car the same, you should be able to DIY, if not you won;t able to drive any car, it will break your bank account.

 

Norm Desjardins! Where're you located? And with any body in this forum want to buy a car with in low budget let me know, I can help you find one less than $2500- $2000+5-10% commission. email me: tcnguyen49@yahoo.com