I'm looking at a 2000 for $20k. Is this a reasonable price? It's leather and sunroof and in great condition.
Are there any traits that can catch me financially that I need to be aware of?
What about the rear main seal issue? is it a problem with the 2000's?
Thanks for any insight.
Signed, Volvo novice

Change the oil every 1000 miles, purchase extra sway bar links, if awd be sure to replace all 4 tires if one blows out, turn up the radio so you don't hear all the rattles and most of all....get an extended warranteeeeeeee!

Beside that, you'll love the car! (:-0

We own a 2000 V-70 SE. My advise is to look for something else that will not nickel and dime you with repairs.

$20K is not a bad asking price, but you shouldn't pay any more than $18.5K for the car (if it's a non-turbo), and that's if it's truly clean and without any blemishes.

The financial risks with this car are limited by the fact that it still has 15K of warranty. Beyond that, you may find that the variability of reliability of Volvos would justify an extended warranty. As a Volvo novice, be aware that the ongoing maintenance costs for a Volvo are generally significantly higher than Japanese or American cars, although in line or slightly better than other European cars. At the dealer, you could expect to spend $300-400 on 30K mile increments, with a bill for about $1000 at the 60K service (to include a timing belt change).

The other advice I'd offer to a novice to recognize that you're not buying a car brand that's as reliable as Japanese or many American cars. According to JD Powers, the 2000's are of average reliability, which are an improvement of 98 and 99's, which are of below average reliability. I owned a 98, and it lived up to it's reputation.

Price sounds good, depending on the mileage. If standard 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year driven, then OK. As for reliability, 1999 and 2000 are the best. Best if NOT AWD. FWD performs almost as well (excellent) but with much better reliability. We have a 1999 V70 FWD GLT with 45,000 miles and are very satisfied.

Carsdirect.com gives a price of $26,557 for a brand-new 2003 V70 2.4M base model.

-Punxsutawney Phil

Hi MaryAlice,

That sounds pretty resonable, but I live in California where everything is expensive what model v70 is it? and how many miles does it on it?

i'm not sure on the exact model, it was just advertised at v70 and I see now that I need to find out if it is AWD or FWD. It has 35k miles.
It has never been in a wreck and I was told, as we all are, that it is in great condition.

Maryalice....to join the volvo family, put on your old cloths and start "sniffing around" that baby and checking it out. When you own a volvo, unless you want to spend big dealer dollars for maintanence an repairs, you'll always be under or around it for various things. I have been volvo guy for 14 years and I am a mechanical "nut". Yes I change my own oil even when its 10 degrees out!!! You get the picture!