I'm new here and am really close to buying a 2004 Volvo S60 2.5T FWD with 101k miles. Asking price is just under $8000. The carfax and personal items left in the car both indicate a 1-owner, and the carfax shows dealer service at regular intervals. Besides a broken foglight lens and cracked tail light lens, I'll eventually want to put on new tires.

What are the things unique to this model that I need to watch out for?
Is the turbo something that people have had problems with?
Are there timing belt issues?

Thanks for any advice! -JerryC

 

You are probably due for a timing belt - I think the interval is 110k, but many advocate doing it earlier. I haven't heard of turbo problems. You might want to get the engine mounts etc checked especially if you have some vibration.

Others may chime in. But you'll be getting a lot of nice car for your $8K.

 

I would inspect the timing belt for sure and possibly replace it, its an easy job that can be accompliched in a couple hours of work. Honestly if the car is tight, makes no odd rattles, doesn't seem to have anything that stands out as being a problem you should be pretty in the clear. I have put over 160k on my current S60 and it still runs excellent. AS far as the turbo, for the most part it should be completely okay. And if it needs replaced y9ou can have it rebuilt for somewhat cheaply. I would say check the shaft in the turbo for play, but its kinda tough to get in there. Not to many people are keen to having people take their cars apart when they are trying to sell them.

 

JerryC, let us know if you get it, please. I too am hotly in the market for a nice S60 and am eyeballing a '04 and a '01.

 

I have a '04 Volvo S60, and have had to have these replaced 3 times so far. A little annoying, but you might want to check them out. The parts are only about $30, but they are supposedly difficult to replace, so the labor expense is a bit high. That's not enough to keep someone from buying one, however. It is a great car, and I am sure you will enjoy driving it. Best Winter car I have ever had

 

Thank you for the heads up!

 

Unless you're buying it from a Volvo dealer, I would take it to a Volvo mechanic (dealer or independent) and pay to have it checked out. When we were considering buying a Volvo 850 a few months ago, we paid $80 to an independent Volvo service garage and they found several items that needed repair, including the main seal. Obviously, we didn't buy that vehicle. A knowledgeable Volvo mechanic knows what to look for on items that are usually worn and need replacing. I also agree, unless the current owner proves he had the timing belt replaced, you're due for it soon.

 

Also, the Serpentine belt will also need replacement at the 100k mileage point........usually done when the timing belt is replaced I recall.