Hi all,
I've given up finding a good condition, low mileage x40 wagon in my area, so am looking at a 2003 V70 that appears in good shape. Just shy of 100k miles. 5 speed, basic model (no power seats, no sunroof). Lady owned and driven since 2006 (don't know who owned it before). Seems to have been well maintained, from the records she showed me (oil changes every 5000 kms, etc.). The car drives well, is clean, looks good. All windows work and all controls. Almost as roomy-looking as my old 240 wagon!

She said that a couple of years ago some "clutch line" let go when she was out of town (hydraulic line I figure) and she had to "get the whole clutch replaced". I haven't seen the record of that. Possibly line let go at slave and clutch got soaked... They replaced the rear engine seal at the same time. Other than that, fairly routine work (recently some front ball joints and bushings, AC compressor, rear wiper motor, ABS sensor). No indication of any accidents, except a minor collision into the front bumper that was repaired.

The only obvious thing I can see that hasn't been done is the timing belt, which I assume is almost due. So I'm trying to barter the price down based on a timing belt and possibly water pump replacement. A recent safety inspection (haven't seen the report yet) indicated front brakes 80% remaining and rear 90%).

Sounds like a good car, what do you think? In a way I'd prefer an older one, more readily user-maintainable, but as I said they are getting rarer than hen's teeth. I'm not crazy about being dependent on a shop or the dealer for the "check engine" code troubleshooting...

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Hello, What is she asking? Tires fresh? Are safety reports the ones from MOT? Give her a deposit and have it looked over by your mechanic if you have one. It does sound like a good car. Kira

 

Thanks Kira. She was asking around $7K. Tires looked good, and it comes with a set of winter tires too (I'm in the northeast). I offered $5.5 given it will very soon need timing belt replaced. If she accepts, I'll take it to my mechanic for a look-and-check. Safety check is for MOT indeed.
Sounds like you've owned 2 V70's so must like them!
Cheers.

 

In my area, Cleveland, OH, that price seems high. I did better than that on a v70 w leather, power, sunroof, 3rd row. The timing belt, water pump, and oil trap cleaning were around 1k. Good luck!

 

Hi rstl99,
I just ran it through KBB for my area. It came back as $7400 in good condition so it's not crazy high but seems a little bit high with a gut check. I think you're on the right track bringing it down with the belt and pump change. I just got mine done and it ran roughly $800. Believe me, you will like the car. Take care of it and it will run and run.
Good luck.

 

Thanks for the additional thoughts, and the positive perspective on the car. I had read some horror stories on some of the review sites, and the author of the annual Lemon-Aid used car guide up here in Canada, rates all V70's as "not recommended" and "bad buy" and that threw me for a loop.

I chased down some other potential car deals (CRV, and an old MB diesel wagon) but have contacted the V70 seller again because that car seemed to have a lot going for it. Maybe her price expectation has come down somewhat. The 5 speed would be good I think (slightly better mileage, less failure-prone) though my GF doesn't like standard so wouldn't be able to share driving on long trips (unless of course I'm able to teach her to drive it - the standard on this car seemed pretty easy to drive for me, who've been more used to 4x4 standard trucks!).

Cheers!