One owner '04 Volvo V70R 6-Speed wagon w/only 52K miles on B.A.T. - wow!

[Baz]

Located in Traverse City, Michigan.

7 day auction just started today.

Sitting at $2,600 right now - but I predict this baby is going to go for a LOT before this one ends....and rightly so!

BaT Essentials

Lot #65603
Seller: mlundmark
Location: Traverse City, Michigan 49686
Chassis: YV1SJ52Y342446606
52k Miles
Turbocharged 2.5-Liter Inline-Five
Six-Speed Manual Transmission
All-Wheel Drive
Passion Red Paint
Light Beige Gobi Leather Upholstery
17" Pegasus Alloy Wheels
Four-C Electronically-Adjustable Suspension
Bi-Xenon Headlights
Fog Lights
Glass Sunroof
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
Power-Adjustable Heated Front Seats
Recent Service Records
Accident-Free Carfax Report

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-volvo-v70r-44/

[pavulon]

Great cars but the underside image tells the story...it's been road brined which kills a lot of interest.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Nice.

That exhaust has a bit of life in it, but is going to need the exhaust and cat replaced when it goes. It flat out rotted the heat shield away! I bet the engine is in better shape, as those cars have the underside panel to protect the engine bay from the bottom. My 2005 looks about the same.

With all that suspension work, it must have hit some potholes in it's life.

The side bolsters look okay, considering how big they are, surprised its doing so well.
Rear seats are folding child booster seats, another nice bonus to justify to wife as a 'family' car.

[DonDavis]

Hard no.

Good luck maintaining the suspension bushings, struts, hubs, brakes, hoses, etc.

That's 52k fairly hard miles.

I reckon I'm spoiled here in the southwest. I'd rather deal with a fried interior than rusty undercarriage.

Then there's the color. Nope.

[rfuerst911sc]

It's already at 9k

[Baz]

Couple comments from the auction FWIW.....

The seller would certainly benefit from better photos of the underside and close ups of the driver’s seat bolster as well as the cosmetic items mentioned in the write-up. However, saying the “muffler is shot” and that there is “no undercoating protection” is inaccurate. The rust on the muffler is on the outer protective shell is typical. The muffler on my ’05 S60R has looked like that for at least eight years and still doesn’t leak after living in New England for 17 years. These cars are thoroughly rust-proofed at the factory and, based on my experience with long term ownership of this generation Volvo by myself, friends, family and clients, are virtually immune from serious rust damage. This will be a great car for whoever is fortunate enough to be the winning bidder. GLWTA

===========

There will be a tendency to over-discount this rig due to the winters—that will be a mistake and a huge benefit to the buyer. I hope the reserve is set in favor of the low-miles, single-owner sleeper and that the seller holds firm.

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by Baz

...These cars are thoroughly rust-proofed at the factory and, based on my experience with long term ownership of this generation Volvo by myself, friends, family and clients, are virtually immune from serious rust damage. This will be a great car for whoever is fortunate enough to be the winning bidder. GLWTA...

Interesting. I have not heard that about Volvos.

Good to know....but it's still red.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

Interesting. I have not heard that about Volvos.

I suspect it's not a "hot" topic in Mesa, AZ.

Volvo/BMW/VW are pretty resilient in the midwest rust belt. (Is there another rust belt?)

[LEAKYSEALS951]

The newer bodies are incredibly rust resilient. There is so much plastic cladding, much is unexposed. Body metal that is exposed resist rust well. Exposed thingees with bolts, not so much. This car has some exposed areas, such as the FEM (fuel electronic module) up underneath, that, if it leaks, can cause trouble.

The exhaust on mine is similar. I've already rewelded the mounts, but it's going to punch through the my cat and rear exhaust soon. Add it too my list of things to do.

I'd be more concerned about the hits it's taken. Something was loose, so sounds like all the front joints got replaced. Problem is, the rear joints got hit too, but they aren't so easy to fix, so the rear ends just get soggier and soggier. Add that to the bevel gear/haldex issues, and some upkeep is in the works. Not bad- just takes time and energy.

If people are still collecting cars in the future, this will be a hot item, a P2 manual R wagon. It might even be on the road after most of us are gone. It will eventually be volvo equivalent of 'the one that got away'- even if it is red!

[pavulon]

By now, effectively everyone knows that BAT has a well-earned reputation for bringing the most money for nearly all the listings. I wouldn't want to pay top money for a car that has been salt driven but maybe others see it differently.

Perhaps because of the sheer number of auctions they are running, BAT seems to have a growing number of non-paying bidders leading to repeat auctions. Anyone else notice this or have the inside scoop on what (if anything) is going on there?

[speeder]

Other than the detail job this car got before the photos were taken, this is not even a remotely clean car. Beat up Midwestern Volvo. No thanks.

[slow&rusty]

Imagine that car only has 52k and the muffler and rear control arms are full of rust.

I used to live in the northeast - the snow and salt devoured my cars whole, that is something I never want to experience again. The plus side is it gave me an appreciation on places I lived since moving away.

[pavulon]

This. Unless you have lived and paid attention to the situation, it's difficult to appreciate the damage salted and brined roads inflicts upon steel. Aluminum suffers slower but automotive steel stands little to no chance.

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Imagine that car only has 52k and the muffler and rear control arms are full of rust.

I used to live in the northeast - the snow and salt devoured my cars whole, that is something I never want to experience again. The plus side is it gave me an appreciation on places I lived since moving away.

[Nickshu]

I saw that yesterday. Does rust underneath and the driver's seat wear seems more than you would see on a 52K car to you? Seems to me. Maybe it sat outside.

[Bob Kontak]

When you live deep in the rust belt and fiddle with cars daily you gain an appreciation for what "devoured by rust" represents. I have had pickup frames crack when I lifted them and the feet of the lift arms on some unibody cars just reform the bottom of the car at the lift points.

I do agree the wear on the seat bolster seems more than 52k worth of a fat rear-end rubbing on it but the observed corrosion does not bother me one bit. Pebble Beach worthy? No. Would I be proud to own it? Yes.

Side comment. I sure do run across a lot of S60's that have sludging and fuel delivery issues with the same engine.

Somebody said that Ford designed those engines. Anybody know for sure?

[rfuerst911sc]

Now at 18k with 6 days to go .

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

-snip-
the observed corrosion does not bother me one bit. Pebble Beach worthy? No. Would I be proud to own it? Yes.
-snip-

Totally agree, Bob. From what I see, this would be a hell of an acquisition for a true enthusiast!

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Now at 18k with 6 days to go .

[Baz]

Note from the seller....pretty cool.......

This is my father’s car and he loves it, yet he is almost 90 years old and cannot drive. It breaks his heart to sell the car but he would rather have someone enjoy it than have it sit in his garage. He has always loved cars and over the years he has had some really fun ones. He was a career military man. A Navy Frogman and then a Navy pilot for many years. He flew sorties during the Bay of Pigs. He is part of a great generation! I hope whoever buys this car will love it as much as he did.

[Baz]

4 days left.

Currently at $18K!

[Baz]

Another comment:

I drove this car last fall after the owners had it in the shop to have anything taken care of that was in need. It was freshly detailed and beautiful.
I believe that the photos accurately show to my knowledge all flaws. I did not go over it with a fine tooth comb because I decided that financially it just was not a good time for me. I will likely forever kick myself… It does have some wear, but not much. It’s been loved, and used, but not much. Best of all it’s been cared for.
When I drove it, the feel was that of a new car. Tight, responsive, strong and a notable absence of any squeaks or rattles.
I own an ‘04 V70R auto in black with atacama. I know these cars, love them, and could really sense the difference.
True that it has lived it’s life -all seasons in northern Michigan. One of the reasons I own 3 Volvo’s from the 2000’s is that they just don’t rust. The undercarriage will show it, but that’s all. I feel confident that the body and full construction of this car are better off than my ‘07 XC70 (year ‘round use) which is still rust free.
I live in Traverse City as well and know the seller. I would have no hesitation. So for anyone wondering because of the “sight unseen “ scenario of an auction; if I had more free $ this would be in my garage right now, waiting for spring and not on BaT. Best of luck bidders!