Hello,

I've owned a 240 for awhile. I'm looking at getting something newer ... can someone suggest a a good (used) Volvo AWD model for less than $6000? It seems like I read the 99-00 models had defective transfer cases ... Thanks!

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/2403039039.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/2401149494.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/2399513701.html
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

A quick check of Autotrader yields 3 awd xc70's less than $6000, the best of them is a 2000 with 139,000 miles. His grandma owned it before he did, so he says. At any rate you get the viscous coupling awd. The awd computer measures relative speeds of the individual tires and applies pwr to the appropriate wheel. Hence, circumference of the individual tires is a big concern as the coupling and computer reads divergent relative speeds. Whatever you do don't drive on the space saver for any length of time. You must keep a set of tires on the car with even wear. That means buying a new set of tires if you have a blow out on one that can't be repaired.

It's a low pressure turbo. As for the fly by wire throttle issue, simply take it to a volvo dlr and they'll tell you if the recall was ever done on the car. The fix takes care of the issue altogether.

As Klaus mentioned the car sits 2 inches higher than the fwd models so mileage is compromised for a slightly enhanced ability to go off road.

I owned a 2000 awd and liked it inspite of having to repair the viscous coupling at a cost of $4000. The alternative to that repair is to simply remove one of the axles and it turns into a fwd car.

For the $6000 you're going to be limited to the 98 to 2000 range. The 2001 is not a bad model but there are some transmission issues on 01's and 02's. I have a 01 T5 with 141K on it and it has no transmission issues. I also have a 2002 S60 that has the transmission issues that showed up at 75K miles. It is a shameful excuse for a transmission so one should beware. Ruling out the 2001-2002 leaves you with the 98's thru 00's.

Just my opinion.

Awesome, Thanks everyone! That is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. I’ll stick with the 98-00 years.

Is it very difficult to do a driveway timing belt change on these? I imagine it is more involved than my B230F engine :)

Well, it helps to have the right front wheel off the ground with a jack stand. Harder than a 240? Of course! There is less room and part of the job is done from the wheel well. The 1998 Tbelt gets changed at 70K, the 1999+ at 105K (along with the manual tensioner).

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

1998-2002 had the same AWD system, newer than that is the better Haldex. Concensus is that if you don't NEED awd, then stick with fwd. The XC cars are higher off the ground by 2 inches or so.

1998 was the last year for simple maintenance. 99 went to VVT and coil overs, along with an extra computer for the throttle. 2000 fixed some of the problems, but ETM is still an issue. 2001, don't even look at them! 2002-3 have Driver Information Module problems, instrument panel, along with a bum 5 speed tranny.

Whatever you get (besides 2001), flush the tranny and bevel gear for awd, keep good rubber on all 4 wheels(awd must). Make sure there are maintenance records.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.