Hi Everyone,

I just registered 2 minutes ago and am making my first post. (yaay, me!) I'm not a current Volvo owner, but am contemplating a 2000 XC70 for my wife. The car is quite clean, 106,000 miles, fully loaded. It would replace her Honda Odyssey, which has been a tremendous car for us. I'm just trying to get a feel for whether I may be about to make a gigantic mistake. From what I've seen on the web, the 2001 XC (for instance) is a definite do-avoid car. I, of course, like the AWD factor - as we live in Colorado. But this is a car that my wife will be hauling our 3 young children around in, driving school carpool, etc. I need to know that it won't leave her stranded. We're not in a financial position where I can have a car that's constantly needing trips to the shop.

So speaking in general terms, is a 2000 XC a 'good' reliable car?

Thanks so much.

 

Welcome to the forum.

The 2000 is better than the 2001 as it is based on the well proven 850.

Has the timing belt been replaced as it was due at 105,000 miles? Big job if that snaps.

 

They are pretty stout cars.
They do have problems with the driveshafts feeding the rear wheels though. But worse case you can remove it and drive it as a FWD.

 

As the owner of a 95 850 and a 2001 XC70 (the do-avoid model) I can say that they are both fine cars if maintained. My personal preference is the 850 though as I like the 850 platform better than the P2 platform (don't tell my wife though as the XC70 is her "baby")

 

Thanks for the responses and input, everyone. This thread goes a LONG way toward putting my mind more at ease. Frankly, I'd talk to a few people locally - 1 mechanic in my networking group, 1 friend with a late model XC90, and 1 guy in the waiting room at my Mercedes shop - and all sang the same tune, "Don't do it! Avoid Volvo's like the plague....lot's of big, expensive repairs,...etc." I don't mind a widget here a wuzzle there, but I can't get into something that needs a $1,400 rack & pinion replacement in 8 months. That sort of thing.

There is a 2000 XC70 here in town that has 140,000 on it that we're going to drive today. The guy wants $7k, so he's dreaming about that, but my M.O is to pitch a low ball and see where things go from there.

I'd buy one site unseen off the web if the price were right, it has a clean Carfax, one-owner, all maint. records since new, etc. This one seems to fit the bill:

http://www.premiumimportsonline.com/...spx?iid=524843

Priced right. Assuming the timing belt has been changed, any reason not to make an offer and buy that bad boy?