Im currently interested in a `99 XC70 AWD, 170,000 miles, Its a one owner local trade. Its at the local used car dealer, so the price might be flexible, Hes asking $4150, but says he could get me it for $3300. The seats and most of the interior look good but the steering wheel is worn, there isn't much rust (rare for wisconsin cars), and the plastic is not really faded. it runs smooth, and shifts like a 90k mile car. HOWEVER, there is a weird jiggling metal sound on the right side when you hit bumps? he said he would have his mechanic figure it out (I doubt he will, this guy rarely has euro cars).

Im not in the place to buy a complete money pit, I already own a Land Rover Discovery. I would Actually use the AWD in wisconsin winters, and for hunting trails. How much can these tow?, it has a hitch on it. Im a big volvo/Saab fan, this car is basically my dream car and has been since I was a kid.

Im thinking $2700, or my dads 92 ford ranger (one owner 80k miles) and $1300 cash.

Your opinions?

 

Its probably your strut mounts on top of strut thats causing the noise. Sway bar end links are also a problem. Have the car inspected by a volvo dealership. Check for oil leaks and coolant leaks. Make sure the a/c works

 

ac works, will check for oil leaks tommarow. they replaced the strut mont today... hopefully that was the problem

 

no contest, buy the Ranger. you will find the xc70 comparable to your Disco for maintenance headaches and cost. i couldn't sell my rust free no accident car with super cold a/c for $3k. not a single call, so i sent it to the crusher for $3k on a state sponsored program.

forget the struts. be ready for the evap issues, pcv issues, crumbling wiring (yank on the headlight wiring for example), traction control/abs issues, and just general badness in a 170k car (bushings, suspension, trans, electrical). if you are going buy something this old, buy something way simpler.

buying an xc70 is like deciding to smoke crack. you have the choice not to do it in the beginning. make the right choice!

 

As the owner of a 1998 XC70 with 188K on it and all kinds of developing problems, I fully support everything he said.

 

Your 20 days late. I bought the car, had the struts replaced with used 70k mile struts for $150 and put them in myself. I've since gone to another forum because of the people on this one seem to be more concerned about saying how awful there car is because its needs a hose replaced, or tranny at 200k. The ranger sold for 2,000 which I refused to drive, partially because the insurance on the volvo was half of the no airbag 19 year old pickup.

And for you Rallyracer If you service you cars at the dealers at all, you must be smoking some pretty hardcore stuff. The dealer is no more a "specialist" then the local guy down the street, they just have some fancy electronic **** they charge you double per hour for. Glade to see your car go to the crusher, one less douche bag owner that wants a ****ty driving reliable car, not a safe fun to drive one.

 

Now that's how to win friends and influence people

Al. Wise

 

+1, been there, done that. Never again.

 

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Dear snowdude

Logged on to forum to try and get some help with yet another problem with my XC70 and happened to read your thread.

Just so you know... these guys know what they are talking about! The XC70 has a lot of issues. Admittedly mine is newer than the one you purchased; it is a beautiful car; when it is running well, it drives like a dream. It's immaculate except for a few scratches (courtesy of drivers who don't care how they open their doors); it looks brand new. I am female. I have loved Volvos ever since I learned to drive and I am 50 now. This is my second Volvo. If I could afford the repair costs, I would still buy another Volvo. My first Volvo, a used 80's something station wagon, had no issues in two years. My current XC70 was purchased used about six years ago. It only has 70,000 miles. We've had numerous problems with the car. Fortunately, we have a great shop that specializes in Volvo repair, who are honest and trustworthy, so we have been able to repair only what is absolutely necessary to keep it running well; the less important problems I have learned to live with (keyless entry needs to replaced at about $400). I can only reiterate that we have had far more problems with this car than you would expect and Volvos are expensive to repair. I had serious sudden acceleration problems, which fortunately was a recall problem; the car died on me in a busy intersection in downtown Seattle and had to be towed. That was the alternator. We've had struts replaced and numerous other things I cannot recall. Now I have a problem with a "lunging transmission" and difficulty getting the car into drive. I really should sell it, but I love the car so much I keep putting money into it.

So, snowdude, please don't mock or alienate the really nice people on this forum. They have been extremely helpful to us with our issues and they do know what they are talking about. If you ask for advice, you are going to get honest, forthright advice, so please don't throw it back it people's faces, you never know when you might need to log back in and get some advice to fix a problem.

Good luck, maybe you will be one of lucky ones!

From "another been there, fixed that" XC70 owner...

 

My 2000 was nothing but problems. It ate an angle gear, two propeller shafts, and a viscous coupling over 3-4 years. Fortunately, certified used covered all but the last drive shaft. It was a great car otherwise.