Need Buying Advice

I am ready to give up my '86 GL wagon (my 2nd Volvo) and have been
looking at used V70 XCs in the 1998-2000 year range. I really like the
looks of that model better than any others
in that span of years. I would like to stay under $11,000 and would
absolutely love to have a manual tranmission.
The advice I'm looking for is specifically about that model, but I'm
open to suggestions
of other models that I should consider. Is there anything about the
V70 XC that I need
to be cautious of?
I live in L.A. and the car would be used for city driving only.
Thanks for your help.

 

I have to wonder given the price of fuel from here into the future, why
you'd want the extra gas drinking (4x4) capabilities of the XC if you are
driving around on pavement in a large urban area. Wouldn't a nice V70 with
traction control do as well for you, and give better mileage? The V70 rides
a bit lower (better handling), and wouldn't have the added expense of 4x4
drivetrain repairs, when they come. And they will. Just a thought, since you
asked...


cheers

RS

 

See, that's just the kind of info I need. I'm embarrassed to say that
I didn't
know that the XC has 4x4 capabilities. I definitely don't need (or
want) that.
I was initially interested in the XC because I liked the looks. I'll
start looking
at the V70...hopefully I can find one with a manual transmission.

Thanks so much for your input.

 

You might want to consider the V40 4-banger or the 850/950 wagons
5-knocker.

Check the used car newspapers and websites. One that springs to mind is
"autortrader.com".

Lots of end-of-lease returns coming up all the time so the market is
out there. You just ahve to figure out what YOUR needs are.

Steps that I would follow:
1) determine actual working needs (waht's the largest thing that you're
going to sling into the back or drag along) -- that'll give you model
and power requirements
2) research local prices
3) go out and dicker, and don't be in a rush

 

XC denotes Cross Country; it's a moniker indicating 4x4 drivetrain among
other features, and a certain look to it, sort of...outdoorsy and rugged,
bigger fog lamps etc. Volvo also has other 4x4's in the line up, with the
letters AWD in there (all wheel drive). Check out http://www.volvocars.us/
for the complete line up.

good used Volvo link http://www.ipdusa.com/ClassifiedAdIndex.aspx


Best of luck with your search.


RS

 

I'm pretty sure that non of the V70XC have 5sp.

Along with that non of the turbo's from then could be found with 5sp,
just auto.

I'll warn you that finding a 5sp Volvo can be tricky. It took me a
while to find a 5sp '96 850 wagon.

If you do find a 5sp a lot of times they are in very "base" cars, which
means no leather seats, sun roof, etc...

Just something to keep in mind while looking

 

Consumer Reports has a used car issue each year, with useful information on repair
records. Most public libraries subscribe, or you can subscribe to the online mag at
consumerreports.com.

 

i just upgraded my '86 wagon (worth $500 @ 450K smiles) to a newer
'90 wagon (worth $3K @ 80K smiles), maybe you should stay where you
are, or go to a '91 240... it's hard to beat. 1: go for low mileage,
2: stay with the 240 series (auto or manual) they are indestructable...
not so with *any* other volvo built except maybe the older 120 series
... stay away from anything that you cannot fix (or easily get fixed)
i've been driving volvos since the early 60s... and have just gotten
acclimated to fuel injection lambda stuff...

best!




wrote:
: I am ready to give up my '86 GL wagon (my 2nd Volvo) and have been
: looking at used V70 XCs in the 1998-2000 year range. I really like the
: looks of that model better than any others
: in that span of years. I would like to stay under $11,000 and would
: absolutely love to have a manual tranmission.
: The advice I'm looking for is specifically about that model, but I'm
: open to suggestions
: of other models that I should consider. Is there anything about the
: V70 XC that I need
: to be cautious of?
: I live in L.A. and the car would be used for city driving only.
: Thanks for your help.


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