I don't know much about the newer volvo's and would like some advice. I Should have looked but I didn't so I don't know the year, there is an v70r for sale up the road from me, 130k miles. asking price of 1850$. It's a northern car. parking sticker in back window says Cambridge Ma. There is some rust. much more than what would be seen on a VA car twice it's age. We took it for a spin and it drove fine. shifted fine. I think one wheel is out of balance or maybe it needs a tire, not sure but i could feel it in the back. over all the car is dirty. like they got it and said oh no just get rid of it quick. was looking at fluids while they went to get a jump box and noticed that there wasn't any coolant in the reseviour, and the res looked rusty colored inside. there was also a puddle of oil on the top of the valve cover near one of the plg wires ?.?.? don know where it could of come from. so they gave it a jump and topped off the coolant and away we went. It is quick. So anyway in driving it I noticed it never got warm in the cabin even though the engine was warm. cold air blowing out the vents on a wet 40f day is not the best feeling. I figured that might be related to the low coolant situation. Then the check engine light came on. ??? so we took it back. Cleaned up it would be nice inside. the rust well.... anyway I only need it to last for about a year. So what should I be looking for? what are the most common problems on these cars at this age. will say it's an 04 or 05. (the selector switches for the trany are behind the shifter and say S and W if that helps determine year). How difficult is the timing belt? What other major maintenance items should I do if I decide to buy this beasty? I'm actually think of offering 1200$ for it. ? . how do I test the functionality of the AWD? seems to me if it's working you won't know it and if it's not you won't know unless you've experienced it or put the car in the air and pressed the gas.

So will this be a nightmare and I should run away quickly or will it be a 300hp dream steal?