Hi, all. I'm not a Volvo owner yet, but a very reasonably priced '98 V70 awd has come up locally, and we're interested in it as a replacement for our woefully unreliable Passat. Here's the catch--the Passat has 70k. The Volvo has 220k! It's at one of those sketchy used car places, but the price has been lowered to just 2400. It sounds like a great deal, but I want to be safe. The car is pretty clean (I'd spruce it up if we got it, but there are no major blemishes), and it started right up and ran smooth. The head was rebuilt at 140k, the steering rack was recently rebuilt, and aside from the crap tires, everyhting on the car seems to be alright. Still, that's a lot of miles and there's no real service history. As Saab owners, we already know a very good and affordable Swede mechanic. Does this car sound like a good idea or a money bucket waiting to happen? Could someone tell me what problems to look for in the car or what could potentially go wrong? Thanks a lot for any help or information.
-Evan

Sounds like a nice deal.

If the place is "sketchy" do you know for certain that the repairs you mentioned were actually done (actual service record papers available), or did they just tell you that? Just curious.

I would check the following:
- check the odometer and make sure it is working.
- Verify the A/C is working
- Use a flashlight to try to determine is all the warning lights actually have bulbs in them (it isnt uncommon to find that someone has removed some of the bulbs).
- Test drive the car and take it to a nearby Advance Auto, AutoZone or similar store and get them to hook up the computer connector and see what (if any) codes are showing up.
- Do all the power options work (seats, mirrors, etc). Usually nothing major but can also help if negotiating an even better deal if they do not.
- Check the oil. Is it new (new oil filter)? Possibly good maintenance, also if new, it could be hiding a potential problem. Oil Milky? anything out of the ordinary to suggest possible serious issues or possible attempts to hide such issues.
- If seriouly interested, consider a CarFax report to make sure it isnt cheap because it had a "salvaged" title.
- Take it on the highway and make sure there are no issues at speed or shaking (potential frame issue or other possibilities).

Just some ideas. To me that sounds like a very cheap price (at least in my area it would be unheard of). Most of the above can be done quickly and pretty easy and all with a single test drive (if they let you test drive unattended...as some sketchy places insist on going with you)

Good luck with it :) Hopefully it's what you want and is in good shape.

firstly, i know about the unreliable passat. had one and got rid of it. and took a huge loss on it. and i only had 47k on it. and i bought it new. anyway, on to your v70. carfax it. +1 on all of byrd's suggestions. as a swedish car owner, you know how they want regular maintenance, the same on the volvo. but at 220k, i would really have your swedish mech take the once over on it. get the dealer to lower it to 1900 and take it and run!. good luck and keep us posted.

Hi again, guys. Thanks for the helpful replies. I went with my mom today to test drive the car. The A/C does not work, but I already knew that from talking to the dealer. It needs new tires, but everything else, power options included, seems to work. My dad is still nervous about the idea of buying a car that already has 220 on the clock, but we'll see what happens. It felt pretty solid during the drive, and it started right up with no smoke or anyhting. The lowest the dealer will go is 2400--which sounds great to me. Maybe there's a catch, but I don't know what it could be. Anyway, thanks again for the replies, and I'm open to any and all additional suggestions.

I was in the same boat about a month ago. Although I bought a 1998 s70 with 104K, private sale, AC not working. Car seemed to run smooth, needed a little cleaning from sitting, but was able to talk seller down from $2900 to $2600 cash. I was able to get some service history with car. Although, after the buy, I got some surprises .

See my post in this section regarding "My s70 is costing me $$"

Bob

if the dealer won't go lower, walk away, you'll find another one in better condition with less miles. your dad is right in his thinking. damn, hope my dad doesn't read this. :grin: