I need some advice on this situation... Last month I bought a '02 S60 AWD with 85k miles (one owner, some service records). I got a call from the place where I bought it (small, local used car dealer) and they have an '07 S60 AWD. It has 61k miles and was a corporate fleet vehicle, which could mean it's been serviced on a regular basis. It's 3k more then what I paid for the '02.

The biggest maintenance I need right now is the timing belt, and the '07 will need it too, so no real savings there. The '07 has cloth seats. The '02 just had the lock cylinder issue (it's working now but sure it will happen again), and needs a couple new speakers. Could need motor mounts and/or rear muffler.

Would I be gaining anything other then -20k miles?

Thanks.

 

Well, the frequency of problems on the '01s and '02s is higher than other years. I don't know all of the changes that have been made but I do know this: The front and rear bumpers were changed slightly, the body trim was color matched, headlights, side door mirrors, and taillights redesigned, and a few interior bits are different. One major difference is the engine. It was a 2.4, but was increased to a 2.5 in '04. It makes about 18 more HP.

For the difference in money, I would definitely entertain the idea. Go there and check it out. Figure the cost of maintenance would be about the same. If you're not happy with the cloth seats, I saw a complete leather set in black on ebay for $400.

Pardon me for thinking this, but with only $3K difference between the '02 and the '07, you either paid quite a bit for the one you have or the '07 is a really good deal. I realize the newer one isn't optioned out like the one you have though. If it were me, I would take a look at it.

 

Thanks for the feedback fast_ride. I mistyped, it's 7k more (16k). I only briefly saw it when I drove by the other day. I did think about swapping seats for leather, so I'm glad that's at least an option at a reasonable price.

One of the things I really like on my current S60 is the auto-dimming mirror, and the buttons on the sun visor to open the garage door. I'm not sure if the '07 has those options.

You're right, I at least have to take a look at it, maybe a test drive. 25k less miles may not seem like a lot to a Volvo, but if in the long run it's going to be more reliable then an '01 - '02, then it might be worth it.

 

I'm not up on the overall retail value of the newer S60's ('04+), but the auto-dimming mirror and Homelink buttons are part of the Touring package. I have these on my '01. Chances are if it has cloth seats, it's probably a very "base" model with not a lot of options. Good luck, either way.

 

Invest in a Carfax report. It will tell you accident history, odometer history, ownership history, and maybe even some service history. You don't want to purchasing a multi-owner problem. While since I'm a relative newbie here, I'm not sure I'm supposed to do this, but you can go to KBB.com and NADA.com and punch in data to see what are
supposedly local resale prices and trade in prices. Not sure how accurate and up to date these are, but its free.

 

Reletive to what Malaka said, do take service history seriously. Do the Carfax - most dealers have it for free. I'd take a higher-mileage car with extensive service history over a lower mileage car with no service records any day. It gives you peace of mind to know what has been done when and a confirmation that it was done. IMHO, $7k is not worth -25k miles. I'm not sure how much more reliable the '04+ models are than the previous years, so I'd let that factor and the maintenance history be the determining factors here.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I always do my due diligence on cars, pricing, reviews, carfax, etc. I guess I'm just caught up in the car being 5 years newer. Good points on the service history though and you're right, that would give some piece of mind.

It does appear to be a base model with only standard equipment. Not even a power passenger seat. But the deal breaker could be the fact it has no sun roof.

I figure I need to put about 2k - 3k into the '02 I have now to get it to the point to where I feel it can go another 88k miles.

I'm going to drive it tomorrow so I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Well, I bought the '07. It felt much more "solid" then the '02. It drives and rides great. I'm really happy with it. The ride is smooth and quiet, and the steering is nice and tight. The cloth seats are comfortable, but I do miss the leather.

There are full service history records. Being a fleet vehicle, it had regular maintenance.

Thanks for all the advice...