Did I buy a lemon?

[IRMB]

Hello - n00b here.

I just picked up a year 2000 V70XC with 109,000 miles in very good condition. No significant body or paint issues. Super clean inside and out. No significant mechanical issues.

It will need tires in a year and an alignment - but otherwise it runs strong and looks good.

BUT - I dont know if the timing belt was ever done.

And I've read on this forum about the MAF and ETM issues.

This car is for my wife and I need something dependable. Did I buy the wrong car?

How much have you seen timing belt replacements cost?

Thanks in advance.

[JRL]

Why would you ask if you bought a lemon if it's a nice car?
Timing belt IS due and if you have no sticker on the engine or service records of one you need to do one NOW!

Yes it will/can have a throttle issue every 50-100K miles,
check to see if yours is new.
New ones have a yellow sticker, original will be white.

You NEVER read anything about "MAF" issues because there aren't any, a Bosch MAF costs from $100 to $150 and is a 5 minute install.
Sounds like a nice XC, however these cars do require maintenance and are not cars you can just "drive" and not maintain or they WILL bite you in the rear!

[IRMB]

Why would you ask if you bought a lemon if it's a nice car?
Timing belt IS due and if you have no sticker on the engine or service records of one you need to do one NOW!

Yes it will/can have a throttle issue every 50-100K miles,
check to see if yours is new.
New ones have a yellow sticker, original will be white.

You NEVER read anything about "MAF" issues because there aren't any, a Bosch MAF costs from $100 to $150 and is a 5 minute install.
Sounds like a nice XC, however these cars do require maintenance and are not cars you can just "drive" and not maintain or they WILL bite you in the rear!

Thanks. What kind of regular maint do you recomend? Do these need spark plugs replaced regularly? (my newer vehicles dont).

Are there any good instructions /instruction manuals on doing the timing belt? I'm very mechanically inclined and can figure anything out. But good directions always help.

[JRL]

It's tricky
Do you want to risk the chance of blowing up your engine?
I believe there's a DYI over on matthews.
PLugs?
You will wish only plugs are needed, that's easy (no they don't, every 60-80K is fine)
www.matthewsvolvosite.com

PCV (breather system) should be checked now
Now is about the time the breather box and related parts need replacing unless the PO changed the oil RELIGIOUSLY every 4-5k. no more.
Suspension parts usually start to go about these miles.
Did you check the AC? The evaporators are a weak point and fail every 5 to 8 years or so.
It's a 10 hour, $1500 job to replace, the entire dash has to come out.

Same with heater cores but that's a much easier job, one hour or so.
Door locks fail, seat and window switches fail.
If the radiator is original, it will fail fairly soon, they ALL do

These Volvos can go easily to 300,000 miles and drive almost like day one but they need maintenance as I said.
If you follow the book, it's not enough.
Not trying to scare you but anyone else will say about the same thing.
They're great when right but can be a nightmare when neglected and you need to budget at least $1000-$1500 per year for normal servicing and parts.
Erie will be your friend for used parts, www.erievovo.com

Did your XC come with a service history?
It would be nice to know what's been replaced and what hasn't!

Out of curiousity, where do you live and what did you pay for it?

[IRMB]

It's tricky
Do you want to risk the chance of blowing up your engine?
I believe there's a DYI over on matthews.
PLugs?
You will wish only plugs are needed, that's easy (no they don't, every 60-80K is fine)
www.matthewsvolvosite.com

PCV (breather system) should be checked now
Now is about the time the breather box and related parts need replacing unless the PO changed the oil RELIGIOUSLY every 4-5k. no more.
Suspension parts usually start to go about these miles.
Did you check the AC? The evaporators are a weak point and fail every 5 to 8 years or so.
It's a 10 hour, $1500 job to replace, the entire dash has to come out.

Same with heater cores but that's a much easier job, one hour or so.
Door locks fail, seat and window switches fail.
If the radiator is original, it will fail fairly soon, they ALL do

These Volvos can go easily to 300,000 miles and drive almost like day one but they need maintenance as I said.
If you follow the book, it's not enough.
Not trying to scare you but anyone else will say about the same thing.
They're great when right but can be a nightmare when neglected and you need to budget at least $1000-$1500 per year for normal servicing and parts.
Erie will be your friend for used parts, www.erievovo.com

Did your XC come with a service history?
It would be nice to know what's been replaced and what hasn't!

Out of curiousity, where do you live and what did you pay for it?

are these interference or non-interference engines? If non, then no harm-no foul.

[JRL]

interference

I would suggest learing on another part of the car since you're not familiar with them
For a while they will be very strange ond a bit goofy, (why Volvo did what they did)

[tolian2]

it's not a lemon, it's a 12 year old car off warranty. So, now, it's you responsibility if anything breaks

[Xilikon]

Mine is the same as yours, with 153,000 miles. Just last year, I spent about 4000$ in repairs (it's just my own fault for buying a car without a sufficient inspection done). But after that, it drive very nicely for its age and mileage.

Just be careful to not lose keys because I just lost my only key and fob last evening and the total bill will be over 500$ to get 2 new keys and a fob including programming at the dealer.

[JRL]

How do you people lose keys?
My kids always lost keys all the time, although not as much now that they are in their 30s.
Now it's cell phones
When I was young and stoned all the time, I had a mental rule
Whenever I left the house (and any subsequent place thereafter) I always said to myself;

"Wallet, keys, cigarettes, lighter" (life was simpler then)
and no matter when condition I was in I always said that to myself and NEVER lost anything.

Today...that's another story, but now I can call these senior moments

[Xilikon]

How do you people lose keys?
My kids always lost keys all the time, although not as much now that they are in their 30s.
Now it's cell phones
When I was young and stoned all the time, I had a mental rule
Whenever I left the house (and any subsequent place thereafter) I always said to myself;

"Wallet, keys, cigarettes, lighter" (life was simpler then)
and no matter when condition I was in I always said that to myself and NEVER lost anything.

Today...that's another story, but now I can call these senior moments

For my defense, I never lost them before but when I lost my set, it was mixed with 2 key sets and I think it might have dropped from my pocket when I picked the other set for the 2nd car... Next time, never ever mix the sets in the same pocket.

It's sad but at least, it give me the opportunity to get a brand new fob and 2 keys whereas I only have a single key before