Hi all, I am new to this post - am about to give up my 1987 740 turbo wagon - Heater core has gone once again (just replaced two years ago) and I am not into repairing it...

I was about to sign on the dotted line for a 2000 V70 SE (190KM) yesterday. Thought that I was getting a good deal as the dealer had dropped the price by almost $6000 for a year end sale. The price now is about $10,500 - still not cheap considering the mileage, but I want a new ride and peace of mind.

I live on the West Coast, Victoria BC (no road salt issues). I had assumed that the car was a local vehicle. As we were closing the deal I was informed that the car had only been in BC for the past two years and for the first 8 years it was a Nova Scotia car. I panicked! Nova Scotia uses a mixture of salt and sand which I assume negatively impacts the vehicle.

I asked to view the undercarriage - to the naked eye it looked ok - but not near as clean as a BC would be. There was corrosion on the muffler, but that would be expected.

I want this car -but I am very worried that I am taking on a potential rust bucket.

Questions:
1)Should I take the car to a body shop or how do I assess potential rust damage. The dealer assures me that there are not issues with corrosion, but I am skeptical. They also assure me that I have 7 year rust warranty...but I think that applies to they body.

2) Should I go for the extended "bumper to bumper" warranty for four years at $2700....

3) I want to keep this car for a few years ...what risks am I taking with the road salt exposure?

Any feedback is appreciated. Happy new year.

 

Did you say $10,500 for a 2000????

I'm assuming that is Canadian, which would be roughly $9,900 US Dollars.

That's still at least $4,000 more than that car is worth, unless the used car market up there is outrageous.

As far as rust, if it hasn't started, as long as you care for the car it shouldn't be an issue. Any rust due to the salt exposure would have started to show by now. The suspension components may have a little extra corrosion, but that should not be an issue.

As far as the warranty is concerned, look into it thoroughly to be sure it covers what it should. Some of those also have deductibles. Dealer warranties are okay if you don't mind spending the $2,700. With that car there is a chance of it paying off.

For what it's worth, for that price I could buy a 2004 V70 with roughly 80-100k miles on it down here in Minnesota.

 

I know the price is crazy! They are very expensive here. Check out this link to preowned inventory: http://www.volvoofvictoria.com/PreOw...ist.aspx?lng=2

A 2004 is about $19,000 here. Insane. It is so painful to purchase a vehicle. This will be my third Volvo and I have driven the past two until it just wasn't worth it. I am still choked that my heater core has gone (again) - the anti freeze build up on the interior of my windows is a sign...

Thanks for the advice on the rust. I will take another good look at it tomorrow....

 

While we are on this topic, as my current Volvo is a 1987 740 Turbo and I am looking at the 2000 V70 - is the 2000 a good choice, or should I just rethink all and try for the 2004 for $6000 more....

I have heard that it is wise to avoid the Turbo - is this true?

 

Problems aren't any more common really on the turbos versus the n/a motors, however they just have the actual turbo itself that can be costly to replace IF needed. The 2000's aren't bad cars, but if the price jump is manageable, the P2 (2001+) V70's might offer more for your money. I've got a 2002 T5 and love it.

 

Thank you for the tip! I have decided to take more time and find a better deal. Will have to manage for the next few weeks. The next Volvo I buy I want to keep for a while - so I agree a 2004 or 05 would be better....

 

idk how the market is for craigslist cars up in canada but here in southern california its very busy.. always good deals on there... might wanna check that out too

 

You should look into what it would cost to bring one back from Seattle on a ferry.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/1533606143.html

 

Get a good pre 1998 Volvo that was the last of the true Volvo's After 1999 its Ford sorry people yuck! Quality?

 

Don't do a lot of research, do you?

Drive-by-wire was introduced on Volvo models beginning in m/y 1999. Ford purchased Volvo that same year. Ford didn't bring any crucial engineering to Volvo, it went the other way.

Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not defending Ford. What I am saying, is you should do some research before you blame issues on Ford.


Tata Motors now owns Jaguar and Land Rover, so I suppose they're junk now too, huh?

 

Thanks for the feedback - still stuck. Can't find what I want in my price range - big surprise. Will kill a weekend and get heater core put in (again) and will pray that I don't run into any major problems for the next six months.

 

Have you looked into what it would cost to drive one back from the states?

It seemed to me you could be in for no more than $800-1,000 or so in fees/taxes. It may be a good deal, and you could make a weekend trip out of it. There are a ton of Volvo's for sale in the PNW.

 

I have been checking out Craigslist in Seattle, but the V70's don't appear to be much less $$ - unless they have significant miles...I will keep an eye out for sure though. I wait a few months and put up with what I have for a while longer!