Learn me: Volvo V70: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

June 19, 2011 8:59 a.m. Derick Freese Dork

We're looking to get away from car payments, even though ours are fairly low at $265 a month. That's $265 a month that can go towards other bills so we can Ramsey ourselves out of debt fast. We have no specific need for a newer car at all, so an older one will serve our purposes perfectly fine.

I've been looking through Craigslist for a few months. We've been looking for something with 7 seats that's not a minivan or SUV. I came across a Volvo V70 on my local Craigslist and it pretty much ticks every box.

Here's the car's ad: http://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/2449178317.html

My only real concerns are high miles and poor idle. For a $1200 car, I think those are things I can deal with. I know there are quite a few moon-and-back Volvos out there, so I don't feel that's a huge concern. A minor concern is fuel economy, as I'm hoping for low to mid twenties and expecting teens.

The unexpected consequence of buying this and selling our Astra is that I can sell my XJ, which will be worth about what this Volvo is listed for, and be able to buy a decent Wrangler in a few months. My wife has been trying to get me to make that move anyway, and this makes it possible for me to find a particularly nice Wrangler because there will be more liquid cash. It seems like the perfect scenario, as long as those cars are good and this particular one isn't a problem car.
June 19, 2011 9:47 a.m. mw HalfDork

I was looking for something similar, those volvos use premium which was a deal breaker for us.
June 19, 2011 10:08 a.m. Derick Freese Dork

Premium isn't an issue with me. Our Astra only runs well on premium. It pulls a ton of timing to on regular and mid-grade.
June 19, 2011 10:27 a.m. Lugnut Dork

I didn't think the NA cars needed premium... but I have only had turbos. I really enjoy my S70, and the two 850s that came before it. The 70 has a much nicer interior than the 850. It is a nice solid car with good driving position and tons of room and it's not a BMW. No mustangs or Audis feel the need to provoke Volvos on the highway.

And I really like the white on black wheels.
June 19, 2011 11:45 a.m. Billy_Bottle_Caps Reader

Also check out Turbobricks. They are a good source fopr all things Volvo
June 19, 2011 1:43 p.m. pigeon Dork

I leased one new, nice, comfortable car. The only issue I had was the car had a healthy appetite for headlights. With the 7 seater, understand that you can have 5 plus luggage/stuff or 7 and nothing else, since the flip up seats are in the back. They're also small kid only size.
June 19, 2011 4:34 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

I had a '95 Volvo NA wagon that I really liked. I did not know it when I bought it but later discovered that '95 was about the best year for this body style. The '95 did not require premium and did not have OBDII that created problematic dashboard service and diagnostic lights that required tricks to turn off.

I see that you are in Florida. I will caution you that from '94 to '99 the Volvo wagons were known to be pretty hard to service and replace the AC condenser.
Here is the link to the 23 page DIY guide,
http://www.woodjoiner.com/volvo/

Avoid any Volvo that has Cross Country, "X", or awd in the name. The awd system is known to be complex and not as hearty as the rest of the vehicle.
June 23, 2011 5:43 a.m. fornetti14 HalfDork

I had a '95 Turbo that would take mid-grade gas just fine. It also had an OBD II port.
It was a great car.

For hauling my family of 5, it's hard to beat a minivan. They made millions of them and parts can be sourced from the JR.

Did you buy that Volvo?