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  1. #1

    Default 01 XC70 - Should I buy it?

    Hi everybody.

    I am in need of a used car and money is tight. My co-worker is moving overseas and selling her 01 XC70 with 175K miles which she says she will sell to me for $1,000 even though KBB is much higher.

    So I am doing my research and this site has been most helpful.

    I see that the automatic transmission is a common issue. However my coworker tells me that when the car had 80K miles it was replaced by the volvo dealer as it developed shifting issues. I test drove the car and the trans seemed fine. The car had plenty of pep and shifted fine as well. Should I still steer away from the car because of this common issue with this year?

    In the past 50K miles my co worker has had the timing belt replaced, brakes and water pump replaced.

    In the past 10K miles the check engine light has come on. All of the oxygen sensors were replaced but the light remains on. The mechanic told her it was either the catalytic converter or PVC valve causing the error and one needs replacing to fix the check engine light. Since I need it to pass smog emissions test, I cannot ignore the check engine light.

    Finally the drivers side CV boot is torn. My boyfriend says he can replace these parts if I buy the parts.

    So what do you think? Should I buy it or keep looking?

    Thank you in advance for taking the time to provide feedback

    Kelly

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    WA
    Posts
    65

    Default

    I won't tell you to buy or walk, but I'll tell you my story if it helps your decision. I might seem bitter, but I love the car believe it or not. I bought a 2001 xc70 two months ago at 122k mi. In that two months time it has stranded me three times ruining three weekends. I've spent well over a thousand in repairs not including the cost in bringing the car to stage zero with tuneups. Now it looks like the rebuilt tranny is failing and hopefully the dealer I bought it from replaces it with goodwill intentions.

    The good news is that that seems to be a really good price! Be prepared for lots of service and you should have a good savings devoted for this and try to do as much as you can yourself.

    It is very easy to fall in love with these cars.
    2001 XC70 125k. New engine at 80k. Second tranny at 120k. xeMODex ETM at 123k. Third tranny at 123k.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Washington
    Posts
    337

    Default

    Depending on what you mean by "money is tight," a 12 year old Volvo is not a recommended purchase. You can afford $1000 for the car. Can you afford another $1,000 - $2,000 to fix various things that may come up? It would still be a great deal on the car, assuming you can get it into reasonable shape. But it is not a cheap car to maintain, unless you can do a lot of work yourself (or your boyfriend can do for you).
    Toby
    2008 S80 T6 AWD Black Stone / Anthracite Black 85k miles
    2008 XC90 V8 Ember Black / Offblack 100k miles
    SOLD: 2005 XC70 Lava Sand / Taupe 176k miles
    Sammamish, Washington

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    1,927

    Default

    First, ask your boyfriend if he thinks of himself as a car repair hobbyist like many of us that frequent this forum. If not, you probably should avoid any year of this car at 175k miles. There will be lots to fix. Euro car repair shops are mostly expensive.

    Even if he is willing to do most of the repairs, you want to make sure the tranny is ok. Drive the car for 20 minutes (to get the transmission fluid hot, thats when the problems show up) then drive in lots of stop+go traffic and see if you get clunky or bumpy up/down shifts. A short drive won't checkout this transmission. The shifting solenoids will typically show problems only when fluid viscosity is thinner (hot ATF).
    Past Volvos : 01 V70 T5, 01/02 V70XC, 02 V70 NA, 00 V70XC
    Current EV/Hybrid : 13 Tesla S85, 11 Gen3 Prius
    Friends cars under my care 17 Audi A4 Quattro DSG (B9) 05 Audi A4 Manual 6sp Quattro (B7) 04 e320 V6 Auto, 05 Accord 2.4, 08 Element 2.4, 08 Camry Hybrid
    Past Others : 01/03 VW MK4 Turbo/NA/01M. Gen1 Prius, Gen1 CRV, Gen2 Rav4, 02 Town&Country, 06 Corolla, 12 Audi A4 Quattro (B8), 07 Civic 1.6
    https://sites.google.com/view/howardsvolvos

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Devon PA
    Posts
    11,409

    Default

    Camry
    All emails please use: jrl1194 (at) aol.com

    2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak, 112K miles. My daily driver and GORGEOUS
    2000 V70R wife's. Won't sell, now at 148K miles !! and still (almost) perfect.
    2000 S70 GLT SE with 29,000 miles!!! A time capsule, V70R front bumper, Volans, etc. SOLD!!! (I Will regret selling this!)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Northshore - Great Lakes
    Posts
    813

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Kelly_Topper View Post
    Hi everybody.
    ...
    My boyfriend says he can replace these parts if I buy the parts.
    The CarTalk guys would say buy the car, it will help you get rid of boyfriend. Lol.
    2001 V70XC +204k miles/ XeMODeX/ Pirelli 12/32"/ Duracell 48/ MOBIL-3309/ Pennzoil EURO 5W-40/ Great Lakes

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Windy Manitoba
    Posts
    631

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JRL View Post
    Camry
    Does a $1000 Camry even exist outside a junkyard?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Devon PA
    Posts
    11,409

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by MacNoob View Post
    Does a $1000 Camry even exist outside a junkyard?
    Probably not
    200K mile Camrys wholesale for 2K if nice!
    All emails please use: jrl1194 (at) aol.com

    2007 V70 2.5T White/Oak, 112K miles. My daily driver and GORGEOUS
    2000 V70R wife's. Won't sell, now at 148K miles !! and still (almost) perfect.
    2000 S70 GLT SE with 29,000 miles!!! A time capsule, V70R front bumper, Volans, etc. SOLD!!! (I Will regret selling this!)

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    5

    Default

    For $1,000 it would probably be a good deal for someone willing to spend some money on preventative maintenance. For the year and the mileage you have to expect to spend some money on it. Timing belt/pcv/tranny flush, just for peace of mind.
    2006 XC70
    2014 Mercedes E350
    1996 Corvette CE LT-4 Convertible
    2005 S40
    2007 C30 T5 6speed
    past Volvos: '09 C30 5speed, '99 S70, '99 S70 5speed, '98 V70SE, '04 XC70, '01 V70, '02 V70AWD, '97 855, '90 740 TurboWagon, '90 740 16VWagon, '89 780 Turbo+, '86 760 Turbo+, '82 240 GLE

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Savannah, GA
    Posts
    552

    Default

    Buy it. Awesome cars.

    Or find a nicer one with less miles. You'll spend about the same money either way, but the newer one will be on the road more often.

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