Hello Bricksters,

I for years used to be a member of this site and it helped me in many ways. Its been some years i couldnt even remember my old login user name ( i even have a new e-mail address since then).

I am strongly thinking of getting back into this communuty. I am interested in a XC70. Please if there are any inputs about the XC70 I appreciate it. I used to live in the deep south (New Orleans) and now i am in the upper peninsula of Michigan. What a change. I need all wheel drive and the ability to pull a small travel trailer ( Scamp) 2100-2500 LBS

I used to turn a wrench about the level to replace a timing belt, brakes and basic maintenance. Im thinking of getting a 1 , 2 or 3 year old vehicle. I dont know much of anything "real" things about the drive train ( engine size and transmission (lord i missed my base 850 manual transmission).

ANY recomendations negative or positive are appreciated.i live in a snowy icy area now.

Thanks, Lee

To the UP from Naw'lins? I'd been in both places.

I'll take the Michigan Upper Peninsula. Better, the Keenaw Peninsula where Houghton and Calument Township are. ThermoAnalytics and Michigan Technological University where they serve up Rhetoric PhDs in there Communication School.

I can't recommend Volvo FWD or AWD. Never owned one.

Though watch it with the mid-2000s AWD. There is some articulating splined interface between the transaxle and the AWD system. I've read articles where people disable the AWD system for cost to repair it.

Some other concerns as to wear item replacement and recurring maintenance. Timing belt replacement and CV joint inspection, clean, grease repack, and such.

Later models apparently do not have the problem so long as the AWD system is maintained regularly; whatever that may involve.

You may want to find Volvo competent repair and maintenance services:
- https://www.brickboard.com/SHOPS/ (Doubt any on the UP listed here)
- http://www.volvomechanics.com/
- http://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files

Maybe you can search for articles here for AWD/FWD model advise for newer Volvo buyers?

Though the replies here you get will be the as good as it gets as to AWD/FWD model advocacy for your needs.

I'm envious you relocated to the UP. Yep, depending on where you are, the cleanest great lake, Superior, will whip up Wintertime tempests that would make Wintertime lover like me envious. The North Woods (Boreal Forest), the nature, oh my you will enjoy the Summertimes. The clean fresh air.

It's not perfect. Some unemployment and poverty there as in Naw'lins.

Not so much light pollution so you can really see the stars. Sort of like Maine.

Congratulations.

Though Minnesota and Wisconsin, and other U.S. states, do see fit, through industrial and land development, to pollute the hell out of Superior and the remaining great lakes. UP copper and other metal and mineral mines also did sort of a job on the environment. If you enjoy collecting mineral specimens, you're in a good place for that hobby.

And no more stinking mexico gulf humidity and pollution for you. A lot of that comes here in summertime St. Louis. Revolting.

(Who the heck would get a Rhetoric PhD from an English department? Not I.)

cheers,

dud.

My wife has a 2003 XC70 120K miles. We live in New England and have a fair bit of Winter weather.

It's been a very reliable car and the AWD traction is excellent.

2003 and newer volvo models are a good choice. While I enjoyed our 240, 740, 940, 850 and my v70, now..... I am looking forward to a getting a used 2014 XC60.
Good luck with the hunt.
Art

I have no answer, but I have almost the same question. I'm looking at 2005-2008's.