New Old Volvo - I Might Be Crazy

[1990C4S]

Bought a 2004 Volvo V70R wagon last weekend.

Pluses:

6 speed stick
Almost zero rust
Seems to run and idle okay
Not too far away

Minuses:

200,000 miles
Needs exhau$t done
Interior is rough
Suspension needs to be redone
Coolant leak

I've always wanted one. Not sure this was the right one, but they are rare where I live.

Wish me luck. This will be my last project car. For now.

[Steve Carlton]

[1990C4S]

I did a 1974 911 with a 2.7, that was a mission.

This cannot be worse.

Or I part it out.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I did a 1974 911 with a 2.7, that was a mission.

This cannot be worse.

Or I part it out.

Jesus, man...you are a sucker for punishment. You want to part out a cheap old Volvo and have dozens of separate transactions w other bargain hunters that you'll have to either show them where the carcass is or meet them at a gas station in your PU truck w a door or hood in the back?

I think I'd rather stand in a cold shower in the winter than either option w this car. I've owned a V70-R, they are cool but not worth any pain. Just the care and feeding of a nice one is bad enough, much less a 200k example w rust and mechanical needs. Good luck.

[fastfredracing]

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/ad6903d2-1ba2-435b-b34c-c2c69e653bc8

[fastfredracing]

I had a customer with a high mileage one, and an extended warranty. I remember begging him to sell it .
I sort of like them also. Almost bought one a few times.

[MMARSH]

I'm at about 180K on my 6spd 06 V70R, bought it at about 90K. Contrary to Denis. Who had a P1 version of the R, I do think it's worth the pain. I had a P1 volvo, I think the P2 is much better in terms of interior layout and being more modern. I love my Volvo. They are expensive to work on no doubt. The 4C suspension is expensive to replace and the angle gear will fail. With 200K on yours, if your AWD is actually working, guaranteed it's been replaced.

That being said, I love the versatility of it. I've towed dirt bikes to Moab, track bikes to Washington. Slept in the back on numerous occasions. I have a blast flinging it up Angeles Crest and have driven it in the worst of snow conditions. Mine is pretty upgraded. Have pretty much thrown the IPD catalog at it, including the bigger turbo and all the stage 3 stuff. It's pretty fast and Handles really well and that's comparing it to a Tesla Model S performance I drive 3 days a week. I drive the V70R the other two days. The actual ride is a little stiff though. Would I buy another? Hmmm probably not now, they are just getting to old. But I have no intention of selling mine. They just dont sell anything like it them.

Any questions, shoot me a PM

[1990C4S]

Thank you for the one positive reply.

I know it won't be cheap, but I enjoy the challenge, and the 'work'.

I've had five Volvo wagons, nothing is quite as practical. With a hitch you can do a lot.

[livi]

My brother had one of those. In a kind of rust/gold color. Many years ago. He was very happy with it and we were all impressed with the performance.

[Baz]

I didn't think you could get a Volvo wagon manual transmission after the 70's models.

Cool!

I've had a couple 145's and they were a blast!

Would love to get another but they are pretty scarce nowadays....

[fastfredracing]

Sorry, did not mean to poo poo your thread. Like I said , I like them, always have . Pretty cool vehicles for what they are .

[SiberianDVM]

It's a nice looking wagon, with plenty of power. If you like wagons, that is. I prefer the looks and handling of my Cayenne.....

[Racerbvd]

[speeder]

I think that they are really cool cars and this generation is definitely nicer than the earlier one I had, which was still a great car. My biggest complaint about any of them is in-town MPG, it’s awful. 12 mpg on premium. Out on the highway, it improves by double, at least on mine and it’s was tuned and maintained perfectly. I get better city mileage w my 1 ton, 7500 lb. 4x4 truck.

Here is a nice one that sold today on BaT w 178k miles and nice upgrades. Keep this in mind as you invest and wrench on a 200k mile car w rust and a blown interior. I don’t know what “almost zero rust” means in Canada, here it would mean rust present.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-volvo-v70r-20/

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Thank you for the one positive reply.

I know it won't be cheap, but I enjoy the challenge, and the 'work'.

I've had five Volvo wagons, nothing is quite as practical. With a hitch you can do a lot.

Oh, in that case, you get it. Mine is my fourth Volvo wagon.

[MMARSH]

Originally Posted by speeder

I think that they are really cool cars and this generation is definitely nicer than the earlier one I had, which was still a great car. My biggest complaint about any of them is in-town MPG, it’s awful. 12 mpg on premium. Out on the highway, it improves by double, at least on mine and it’s was tuned and maintained perfectly. I get better city mileage w my 1 ton, 7500 lb. 4x4 truck.

Here is a nice one that sold today on BaT w 178k miles and nice upgrades. Keep this in mind as you invest and wrench on a 200k mile car w rust and a blown interior. I don’t know what “almost zero rust” means in Canada, here it would mean rust present.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-volvo-v70r-20/

Yeah they dont get great gas mileage. But my mileage actually got slightly better with the bigger turbo/injector upgrades.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

...and here I swore I was going to turn off PPOT and not comment anymore (because I can quit at any time).

Yesterday, I saw a v70r wagon on the highway and thought "WOW" The lines on it are great. The fact that it is a stick shift is great....

It has glass front headlights- that never get foggy.

It is a car that appeals to about 3 people in the world, and I am one of them.

But alas... it drove off, and I got real about the fact that it's a 16 ish year old car and will need general 16-20 year old car maintenance.

I can barely muster the energy to check the oil in my xc70....

I'll get to that right after I redo my suspension bushings on the SC... Oh yeah.. and pull the window and redo the front window seal... - any day now...

I think your biggest challenge that it's an aging car, not that it's a volvo.

If I had it as a spare, I'd redo the suspension, struts, front end bushings, change the haldex filter, oil, PCV, new water pump/belt, address the leak, and go.

I would recognize that bevel gear design sucks and not autocross it. Or dog it. My bevel gear went out at 90,000 miles. It was actually the coupler that went bad.- FWIW if you ever do change the bevel assembly, replace the turbo gaskets when you have access.

I've got this cool guy nearby who does interiors- I'd have him redo my seats (which I assume are the larger bolster seats.)

My xc70 burnt a valve at 220,000. Make sure you use a high test gasoline if possible. If it does burn a valve, take comfort in that the low end of these engines are bulletproof. It had the original honing score marks from new when I disassembled it. My engine guy said the leakdown was horrible- no - the engine was not "shot"- it was never even broken in the wear was so low.

I had my local muffler dude spot weld my muffler system back together in no time flat. In my case, it was the supports. Easy fix. Sounds like you have a northern car with more corrosion though. Not a bit of rust on mine (yet).

Congrats on your new purchase! - and where is your coolant leak- mine is a 2005.

[pavulon]

One of the best looking wagons ever. Every 5T sounds great with some mild exhaust work. Those prancing moose fender badge/stickers should be mandatory.

[speeder]

Oh, they are great looking cars and they perform really well. Very safe in a crash as well, which I could make an argument is the most important thing in a vehicle. My remarks pertain only to the car described in the OP. You can get a great one for peanuts, as my link shows.

I have a buddy w a black one that is lowered slightly and modded, it’s crazy good looking.

[911boost]

Nice!

Plus they are safe, we had that generation S60 and my ex hit a stopped car that was turing doing 45mph with my daughter in a car seat..... Everyone was fine after.