New here, yet not new to Volvos
 

Greetings from California. I am doing a little research to find my friend a reliable car. She's (like everyone else, these days) on a pretty strict budget so that's a key factor. I owned a '91 745 several years ago and miss it to this day. With that said, I suggested she pick up a Volvo. After doing a little Craigslist surfing, I found a '00 V70 with the third seat (important for her) that "runs great" ... it does, however, have 245k miles. While I'm semi-familiar with the older models and know they'll run a lot longer than most cars on the road, I honestly don't know jack about the S/V-series Volvos. Can you guys give me some advice or things to look for in a high mileage V?

Thanks in advance!

I should also add that the same seller has a '97 855 with only 105k miles on it for a bit less. It doesn't have the third row seat but I figure I can find one eventually. Any advice on which one I should go after?

Thanks!

I would probably go for the '97 with less miles. I always am seeing 3rd row seats for the 850's on ebay. Very similar engines. Make sure the timing belt has been changed. Volve recommends at 105K but most everybody here does it at 75K intervals.

That's kind of where I have been leaning after thinking it over a bit more. Thanks for the advice.