Looking for a V70 from about 2002.

Questions:

How hard is it to find one with a Manual Transmission and non-Turbo?

Secondly, what are the well known issues to look for?

Also, is it easy to do repairs by DIY?

 

Reading other posts on here, manuals and non-turbos are rather rare but not impossible.
I used to own an 02 V70. It was a wonderful car.
The only two things I remember was brake pads seemed to wear a good bit, and I had a freakin taillight bulb that kept blowing. Othe than that just odds and ends.
Most repairs are easy, and there is a lot of good step by step information on here. The brake booster instructions are incredible. Saved myself a TON of money thanks to tech. And he wouldn't a check either. Hehe.

 

Oh, one thing I just remembered. There was a plastic plate under the entire engine compartment with a "ramp" that seemed to diverge cool air up onto the turbo. Every time I changed the oil I had to remove that darn thing. And I didn't want to remove it full time for fear of the turbo getting air.

 

Thanks. I suspected such a beast was rare.

How does it rate reliability-wise compared to Bimmers of the same era? (which is a constant "Ford" car, i.e. Fix-Or-Repair-Daily)

I hear XC70 is getting terrible feedback, is V70 a substantially different vehicle?

 

I can't help you on the Beemer comparo.
I believe the XC is a whole different beast.
All Volvo's need some level of TLC and each model has it's own quirks. My experience with my V70 was positive overall.

 

Hello, My '02 has been good to me over the 24 months and 40,000 miles I've owned it. It was loved and well cared for by its original owner. I do feel that the SACBP (Stupid American Car Buying Public) makes many of its own problems, though I've heard BMWs suck. Kira