Worth it to buy 10+ year old used Volvo?

ricky67

Hello,

I've always dreamed to own a Volvo (preferably a wagon). I see adds for used 2000 to 2005 Volvos at a price that fits my budget (max $6.000) but I worry about having big maintenance / repairs down the road. I know that there will be problems with an older car, but I'm trying to figure out how bad it could be.

I don't intend to drive the car that much, only a couple of 300 mile trips a year and the occasional week-end outing.

Some cars don't seem to have that much mileage. I should add that I live in NYC and I have zero experience with cars.

I need a big trunk for my medium size dog's kennel (plus 2 teenagers in the back). If anyone has other suggestions for a wagon, I'll gladly hear them!

Thank you!

Eric

stickguy

Consider a subaru too. Legacy or outback, and a forester is nice and boxy (dog friendly). Living in NYC, cars are so expensive (parking, insurance) it seems for such limited use, you should just rent an SUV when you need it.

As to Volvo wagons, they would serve your purpose. Good solid cars, but not low maintenance. Hard to say how any car would react to that low use and so much sitting. The V50 would be too small I think, so you would look at the V70. Stay away from the all wheel drive model, and probably better off with the 2.4i (non turbo) engine. Not as fast, but simpler.

ricky67

Thank you! You're right, there are lots of subarus around where I live (I would say 15% of the cars parked on the street). I've been renting so far, but it adds up. It's not so much the miles that I need but having a car for a certain amount of time (up to several weeks). I'll look at V70 with the specifications that you suggest.
Thanks again!

Mr_Shiftright

I wouldn't buy an old Volvo that is "miled up" however. If you could find one under 80,000 miles, that would be a good start. Volvos are not cheap to fix, and while any used car will need *something*, the less, the better when it comes to any major repair. NYC is tough on cars, too, so I'd even tolerate a few little dings in my new purchase in order to get the lowest miles possible.

Having the car inspected prior to purchase, checking the CARFAX report, and asking for maintenance records are always good things to do.

qbrozen

Hold up. Don't buy those years if you are getting one with an automatic transmission. Those early 5-speed geartronics are not reliable. So, unless its a manual trans, just forget this idea altogether. '98-'99 are your best years for older volvos. '98 being preferable only because '99 introduced an ETM that can be a PITA. Those have the old 4-speed AW trans that is very reliable.