Hello,

My 90 760 turbo with 206,000 miles is getting tired and I'm looking for a reliable wagon in the $5-7K range. I've read that you need to spend $5K to a car that won't need a buch of maitance. I live in the northwest and like idea of AWD but hear that can be expensive.

Any recommendation for price vs realiability? 850, V70 XC? What mileage would one look for?



TIA


Best regards,


Dave

 

Has to be a Volvo?

Consider a Legacy Wagon...

 

If it has to be a Volvo, I would probably go with V70, because there is still paper-based service manual available and the cost of repair may be less than what you would expect on an XC70. But let your mind make the final decision of course, because the best car out there is the one you like, not the one recommended by others (unless it is known for problems).

Good luck,


JPN

 

I'm open to different brands. I thought about the Subaru but don't know about them specifically.

What does the legacy have over the other models?


thanks for the advice.

Dave

 

Subaru's have a nice AWD system. I don't know if it's true of the XC's, but I seem to recall one of the AWD models has somewhat of a "false" AWD system. Meaning that it isn't power to all 4 wheels 100% of the time.

The Subaru's going to be cheaper to maintain. And you might be able to find one with some of the luxury features such as leather seats.

The downside to the Subaru is that it will probably feel like somewhat of a downgrade (since it's not a luxury car). But the AWD systems drive VERY smooth and from all accounts, they are very fun in the snow (if you're into those kinds of things). As well, the price is probably going to be higher with more mileage.

Edit: Perhaps the XC owners can chime in, but I was talking to a guy whose mom had an XC70 and they hated it.

But go figure, I was talking to another guy who has a M3 and uses the XC during the wintertime loves his...

Double Edit: Think about other Subaru's also. The outback is pretty nice also.

 

I have had no problems at all with my 98 V70 GLT. It is not AWD, but I don't really have a need for that anyway. My son has a 98 V70R which does have AWD and he likes quite a bit too. Mother in law has an 01 V70 and hasn't had any problems either. My one daughter has a 95 850 Turbo wagon that they picked up for $3,000, but it did need some work. They ended up putting just over $4,000 into it.

 

See thisfilm as a reference:
https://volvoforums.com/m_43432/tm.htm

Subaru seems to have outperformed Volvo in this film, but you never know if they were tested equally. If there was a sponsorship from Subaru we don't know about, they had of course made the Subaru look better. However, Volvo's AWD seems to work only under certain vehicle speed and after that point, the system becomes FWD. This would probably save fuel and you may also want to consider Volvo's body shell safety that is unparalleled in the business.

I've visited Subaru's Japanese web and they have this nice movie:
http://www.subaru.jp/legacy/touringwagon/index.html

Or try the U.S version for better description on their AWD system:
http://www.subaru.com/

Until about 10 years ago, Subaru was so boring that I didn't even pay attention to, but they've come along pretty well and look very nice lately, except I still don't like their interior.

I can only tell you to test drive both brands, as well as other brands to see which one suit your needs the best.

Good luck,


JPN

 

Thanks for the responses. The safety of the Volvo is a prime consideration. I'll check out the safety record of the late 90's early 00's for the safety record.

If we had front wheel drive, that would be fine. Snow driving is usually under a handful of times a year. Rain is a weekly appearance.

Thanks,

dave

 

Yeah, the safety record isn't going to be as good as Volvo (obviously) since Volvo has steel in the frame to reinforce, but Volvo is the very very very best. I don't believe the Subaru's are bad. The only thing I remember about Subaru's from when I was researching, is that the head gaskets tend to blow (I forget if this is during everyday use, or only when you begin to modify the car).

All of the Subaru owners I know, love their car. I think you will really really like the AWD system. I've only been in a handful of AWD cars (Outback, V70R, Honda Pilot (although this is kind of a "false" AWD)), but I think you will really really like it. The drive is amazingly smooth.

 

My family owned two Volvo wagons, a 740 and an 850. After the 850 my parents started buying Subaru Legacy's (wagon) because we lived in NH. IMO the Subaru's were more reliable and had better handling in the snow than the Volvos (FWD). Subaru has pretty much been an AWD car from the get-go although there were a few years where FWD was offered.

I own the 850 now and my sister has their old Subaru (or did until she wrecked it). The Subaru required less mx and was less costly to maintain. The only reason I came out ahead on my older 850 is that she trashed the transmission by flipping it from reverse to drive while the car was still in reverse every single day, several times a day. It required a new transmission @ 140k.

I would buy a Subaru over a Volvo if I lived in a climate that suited them. IMO the safety aspect of Volvo is narrowing with the newer generation of cars. Volvo had good safety as compared to other cars in the 80's and 90's but the newer generation of cars are better built than the older generation of Volvos. Also AWD Subaru's don't get very good gas mileage, 18-20 mpg is about what they get average if I remember correctly.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=k3ygYUYia9I

If you're in the NE go with a Subaru.

 

On the above video, I liked following comment the best:

"The Renault is also safer because it will have broken down long before the crash."


JPN

 

the other wagon that i was considering was the VW passat - does anyone have any experience with these? I've had a few subaru wagons and now a v70 - i loved the reliability of the subarus, but i LOVE the comfort and style and sound of the v70.

 

Daughter used to work at a dealership that sold Subaru's, VW's, BMW's, Range Rovers and some real expensive cars, and she said of the ones they sold the ones with the most trouble were Range Rovers and VW's.

 

What year?

From my understanding, they couldn't seem to make a good o2 sensor until the late 90's. That's when a lot of their electrical problems began to diminish also..

 

well, for me i ended up getting a V70 about a month ago - but when i was shopping it was between a passat wagon, a subaru and a volvo 850 or a V70. for me the advantage of a FWD and the increased MPG outweighed the need for AWD and the VW's were just too few and far between plus i felt like i got a screaming deal on the volvo, so i went with it (a 99 NA GLT).

 

I've been looking at the V70. what is a good price on a 99' NA?

dave

 

I got mine for $3900 (ebay) - GLT/NA with 113k on it. I thought that was a hell of a price considering locally the same car is about double that price. i was a bit leery, but did a carfax and an autocheck, title was clear, etc... so far no problems with it at all other than i had to replace a fuse LOL

 

I, too, am in the market for a Volvo wagon. I will primarily be using it to carry sea kayaks on top all year round in the mountains and for driving down into Baja. I live in snow country. Looking for reliability, good gas mileage and a LOW top. I am a short and would really like not having to struggle to get the kayaks on and off my car. The long, low roof lines of wagons is drawing me away from my huge Armada. Would like something around $10,000 or less.