Hi there,

about a 1 1/2 months ago I purchased a 1998 V70 Non-Turbo with what I then thought had original 111K miles... purchase price: USD 3,100, i.e. what I thought a "good deal" for a low mileage wagon. She is silver and has black leather.

I had the car checked out by a generic mechanic (not a Volvo specialist) and was told that I needed new front tires (I saw that too) and new transmission gasket, other than that, car was fine. So I went ahead, bought the car and replaced the tires (left transmission gasket as is).

A month later, I realized I may have not made that good of a deal:

First, odometer stopped working intermittently. So that got me googling, and was pointed to the ABS module being the culprit. Interestingly the ABS light was OFF, but when I checked the bulbs, I found out the bulb was removed! No wonder!! Once I put a new bulb in, sure enough light was ON. I got a rebuilt Module from one guy on the forum and sent mine back. Issue solved! Total cost $70 compared to several hundered the mechanic wanted. So far so good.

Well, it got me wondering though for how long this problem was going on, and whether the odometer truly was showing the correct figure. Stupid me, I did not pull a CARFAX prior to the purchase because I kind of was in a hurry - as I just had moved without a car (sold old car as it was not worth shipping across countries) and did not want to spend money for a rental for weeks - Sure enough, car has a "odometer inconsistent warning" on CARFAX (lesson learned!). With that info, I think the car really has more like 155K than 111K (I think I can have mechanic check via OBD right?). So in the end, I probably paid $500 more than what Kelly Blue Book has for GOOD condition... or $800 more than FAIR condition.

Second, I had cold start problems and CES light came on THE DAY AFTER I bought the car (tried contacting PO but he changed phone numbers.... SHADY right?). I am new to working on cars, so had the mechanic check it. He replaced a vaccum tube for me and also thermostat and coolant sensor. Still had the same issue, was idling rough at cold start. Mechanic indicated that perhaps the MAF sensor was the reason. I unplugged the sensor as a test, and sure enough no more cold idle problem (as running richer without the MAF). I bought a new sensor (OEM) - and installed it myself and no more issues! Felt great having again saved some bucks as well as improved my mechanic skills.

Third, after getting new tires wanted to get an alignment. Was told it cannot be done because too much play in right front control arm. Got a second opinion and was told yeah should be replaced, figured this would probably also cure the noises I heard from suspension (did not notice on test drive for some reason, maybe was too thrilled about everything else I liked about the car). Got a new control arm installed (did not attempt to do suspension work myself) and car aligned. Car runs straight and steering is nice and stiff now. Still noises though. So I also had the strut mounts replaced (that cost quite a bit!). Less noise now, but still some - which one mechanic told me was due to sway bar links (going to replace this weekend DIY) and another said it was due to the PO installing aftermarket brake pads that are not 100% fit and are rattling (BTW I keep consulting two mechanics, as I commute 80 miles to work each day and sometimes see a mechanic near work that dropps me off and also trust a mechanic near my house, so have seen him one time also to do my rear brake pads, but then I am without a car for a day).

Ah and I also of course changed oil & all filters and tranny oil (self).

So total now "invested" - another 3K on top of the purchase price. Probably would have gotten a better deal had a I shopped around some more.... oh well, have to think FORWARD LOOKING now.

Other things I think I' need / project list:
- install sway bar links (see above, hopefully no more noise afterwards!)
- need the timing belt replaced fairly soon as well as new plugs (PO said was done at 90K, so am close to 70K interval using TRUE mileage). Given I commute quite a bit, it is just a matter of a few months probably....
- Got a used leather skin for front seat to replace my driver worn out seat skin
- Since car seems to be pre-wired for heated seats, got the switches from junk yard and have installed them. For some reason still no heat on the seat, need to investigate. As a backup pulled a used seat warmer pads and thermostat while at junk yard.
- Install an iPod to Car Interface (if anyone is selling one, please PM me) or get a new head unit

I hope that by doing some things myself, in the long run the money I put in will pay off. That said, am planning on driving the car at least for another 100K. I wanted to have a safe car and even considering $6000 (figure the big ticket items will then be done - fingers crossed) is not that bad if after all these things are fixed, I can then put 30K/ year on it with regular maintenance only - for sure if compared to $500 monthly payments on a new car!

So thats my story...

Thanks for all the information so far that I was able to pull when searching especially if there are pictures involved, it makes me gain the confidence that I can do it myself....

Matt

 

Hey Matt: Congrats on the car. Sorry to hear that the PO was a duch. It's always a good idea to have a car inspected if you plan to spend anywhere near retail for it. Hope things smooth out for you as far as repairs go. Try not to be in a big hurry to make everything perfect, there will always be something.