posted by
someone claiming to be genghis khan
on
Sat Jul 22 02:46 CST 2006 [ RELATED]
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Hello all readers,
I would like your opinions relating to my Volvo XC dilemma. I especially appreciate the opinions of those who are experienced technicians and mechanics experienced with this particular model and year. ( I am not techinically gifted)
This is my story: I purchased a used 2000 XC awd in Nov. 2004 with only 33,600 miles on the odo. I picked it up for what I thought was a good deal ($16,900) from a Subaru dealer. (My first Volvo and prior car was a '97 850 which I purchased used with 43,000 miles and sold with 123,000 miles. I had no problems with that car other than routine maintenance, and decided to try another Volvo. This time an AWD station wagon for the utility.)
In the last month with 63,000 miles showing on the odo., I've had to replace the transfer case (angle gear) , rear differential, and it's been recommended by the independent mechanic (Volvo specialty) to buy a whole new set (4) of tires. Supposedly , awd systems require that all tires be equal in tread wear and rotated routinely to prevent uneven torque stress on the transfer case. So even if the rear wheels have more wear than the front , this could lead to major problems with the awd system. (It's been noted and discussed elsewhere on this board that the AWD systems have caused problems for some owners. I among the unfortunate. ) The final cost of repairs came to $4,540 and new tires will cost me between $500 - 600.
Now the question: Considering all the money I've just dumped into this car , should I keep driving it hoping nothing else will go wrong OR do I cut my losses and trade it in for a new NON Volvo? I thinking of going back to the Japanese offerings, either Honda or Toyota.
Your opinions and comments will be appreciated. Thanks.
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FWIW, I just dumped my POS 2001 Bobo V70XC. This was my second Bobo and it was only marginally better than my 1999 S80 2.9. I would hack out my kidneys with a butter knife before purchasing another Sweedish (Ford) meatball.
My advise to you is to do what I did. Drive the car down to an Acura dealer, throw him the keys, and drive off with something that's quick, reliable, better on gas, and looks nice in the driveway. Did I mention less expensive with better resale value?
I am beyond dissapointed with the quality of parts that Volvo uses for these $40K vehicles. Never again.
JH former Volvo owner.
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True, I traded it in on a new HONDA as a graduation present for my kid, and I traded it in because I telecommute now and don't really need three cars.
I own fair amount of stock in Honda, and I would not touch Ford's stock with tweezers.
I also plan (at the moment, I may still get cold feet) to buy an '07 "R" but I will dump it like a hot potato when the end of the original factory warranty comes into sight. I think owning a used Volvo out of warranty is like a BMW 7-series out of warranty, the price of the car isn't too bad but the repairs will absolutely kill you.
-BTC
'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 169k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, E-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new. New goal: "Moonshot" (227,063 miles at it's perigee).
(Also 6 Hondas, including a lawn tractor, a lawnmower and a garden tiller.)
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I think owning a used Volvo out of warranty......will absolutely kill you.
Whoa! I better sell the '79, the '83, '85, '89, '90, '91, '96, '98 and get the friggin' honda fast. While I'm still alive!
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There's probably no reason to dump it right away but I wouldn't keep it very long either. It is a congentially flawed vehicle that simply wasn't designed for long life.
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Now that the awd is new again, why not keep it for 50K miles? I consider 4 new tires an operating expense, not maintenance.
Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)
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Ditto what bill d cat said.
I would just add going to the internet for tires, I've had great luck with tirerack.com and even with shipping and mounting (and no sales tax!) I usually get 3 tires for the cost of 4 locally.
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Probably most people here (and Consumer Reports) would have told you to avoid a '98 XC70.
But now that you've replaced most of the XC70-specific stuff that breaks, you can just worry about the usual background failure rate of electrical and AC stuff, you know the usual Volvo 850-SV70 stuff.
I certainly would not tempt fate using dissimilar tires on one of those cars after having sunk a lot of money into one.
FWIW, I've seriously considered buying a new AWD V70R for the last 3 years and still haven't.
-BTC
'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 169k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, E-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new. New goal: "Moonshot" (227,063 miles at it's perigee).
(Also 6 Hondas, including a lawn tractor, a lawnmower and a garden tiller.)
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