Volvo V70 2.5 Turbo's and similar...Sub $4K wagon

[Mr. Burns]

with the birth of my daughter fast approaching- I will be looking for a 2nd vehicle to replace our current 2nd vehicle that's slowly rusting out to death. (2003 Ford Focus, mechanically perfect, body is dying)

I have my eye on a couple of Volvo V70 2.5 turbo's stations wagon.
higher mileage (around 100-120K) automatics.

I really like the look of them, and there are a couple in my area that have been properly maintained with all records for a decent price.

anyone dealt with them?

I'm looking for something sub $4000, station wagon (preferably AWD and turbo)

other on list are
Audi A4 1.8T wagon
VW Passat 4Motion
Suby WRX wagon

[Stanley Rockafella]

with the birth of my daughter fast approaching- I will be looking for a 2nd vehicle to replace our current 2nd vehicle that's slowly rusting out to death. (2003 Ford Focus, mechanically perfect, body is dying)

why not get another Focus?

The later models after 03 have better reliability and are cheaper to maintain and repair than your other choices

[Mr. Burns]

why not get another Focus?

The later models after 03 have better reliability and are cheaper to maintain and repair than your other choices

honestly because it's boring and it's a Focus.

I do want something with a little more get up and go, and AWD would be super nice come winter.

[Stanley Rockafella]

honestly because it's boring and it's a Focus.

I can agree with you on that!


EDITED*****
If you want something NOT boring, a Volvo is probably not the best choice.
Any of the other cars are ok, but expect your repair bills to
increase astronomically from the current prices you pay for the Focus

I'm just speaking from experience

[dnguyen1963]

My neighbor just traded his '94 325 Convertible for the Volvo 2.5 turbo wagon. He must like it enough.

[AdironRider]

I have a 2005 V50 T5 AWD with a 6 speed, which of course I love. They are for all intents and purposes the same car.

Anyone who says they are boring hasn't driven some of their newer offerings. In gear, the T5 motor will punch way above its weight class, think overtaking on the highway power, etc.

What it will not do:

Handle like a Porsche, or even a BMW.
Get outstanding gas mileage
Give you immense street cred.

Everything else it does fantastically. Super practical, well put together, etc.

There are some annoying parts of working on them yourself. But nothing you can't adapt to. I'm also hesitant to say that Volvo's will get you 200k worry free miles these days. The computers that control everything seem to start going at 15 years/150k. They get pricey.

[DrJosh]

Where are you finding a wrx wagon for 4k?

The P2 volvos are boring outside of the R, but the R is outside of your price range. You could get a P80 (1998-2000) V70 with AWD. I'd suggest getting a P80 V70R. They handle great, awd, easy to mod, and put out plenty of power. They were Volvo's response to the Germans S4s and M3s.

[doglegleft]

Why not an outback?

[Stanley Rockafella]

Why not an outback?

I hear land rovers/range rovers are a nice choice too
:giggle:

[rcsoundn1]

I had a 1998 V70 FWD non turbo wagon. I think I paid 2200, and it was an auto. Be careful with the engine numbers. At some point they had a newer motor which required a $600 tool to do a Tbelt. IMHO, maintenance was no different than an E30. Mine was dead reliable, in all weather. I did regular maintenance when I bought it, and had 0 issues the 2+yrs I owned it. I miss it more for its versatility, and fun to drive. Its not an E30, but no E30 can do what that wagon does well. I would have bought a V70R, after I sold mine, but could not get the $$ to do so. Car was not hard to work on mechanical wise.

[Mr. Burns]

Outback is a good suggestion...
Parts for Rovers around these parts are hard to come by, otherwise I'd consider them.

Thanks for the feedback so far...
I used to own a Volvo 740 740 turbo with a b230ft engine with a big turbo. Such a sleeper car.
I miss the clunky swede feel they have.

This needs to be safe/reliable.

[101]

I have a 1998 FWD V70 turbo model. >200K on the odometer now. If you stick with the Volvo engines before the variable valve timing and electronic throttle was incorporated (1998 and prior versions) they are simpler and more reliable. I agree with rcsoundn1 that maintenance is no worse than an E30. Bodies are solid and durable. The plastic parts and leather - not so much.

The AWD system on these cars is less than stellar and is very sensitive to being maintained properly and to always have 4 matching tires on the car. The AWD systems after 2002 incorporated the better Haldex system. I have friends that mount 4 snow tires on the FWD models during the winter and they can go anywhere without the added weight and complexity of the AWD system.

Maintenance records are indeed key. If maintained properly, the Volvos are very durable. If neglected, they are a bottomless money pit. They are hard to beat for versatility and are about the most comfortable long distance car I have ever owned.

Sorry - I'm keeping mine.

Good luck in your search!

[Red_liner740]

My mom drives an 04 v70 since new. Honestly, nothing but brakes, tires and light bulbs have been replaced on that car and it still looks and drives like new. Not one spot of rust anywhere on that thing. I look it over carefully twice a year when i swap her summer and winter rims.

Its 5x the car my 08 jeep grand cherokee is. Its kinda pathetic the underside of the jeep compared to the Volvo when they drive on the same roads.

[freeride53]

Make sure it isn't a "geartronic" automatic w/ manual shift function.

[UlrichFennec]

You could always find a late 90's Honda Accord Estate or even...a Saturn Estate.