"Sn210" (sn210)
12/27/2013 at 12:28 • Filed to: None
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"Sn210" (sn210)
12/27/2013 at 12:28 • Filed to: None | 0
| 24 |
So I found a 2004 Volvo S60 R for sale locally with 70k miles, a manual transmission, and a clean carfax. It's reasonably priced so that I could get it loan free if I trade in my 08 Civic Lx with 64k and give a little bit of cash.
I'm nervous though. I've been reading that these cars are reliable, but the stuff that breaks is expensive stuff and starts to fail right around the 60k miles mark. Things like timing belts, the angle gear for the AWD system, and slave cylinders for the clutch. It would be quite the shock for me to go to this from a civic, which the only required maintanence has only been oil and gas in the tank. I understand there's risk whenever buying a used car, but I only drive about 10k miles a year. The Volvo would definitely be more fun than the civic, but I'm afraid of more headaches than the civic too. I'm thinking an R would be acceptable to take to cars&coffee and Swedish car shows, something I can't really do with my civic. I'd definitely get an independent shop to take a look at it before I make an offer.
What do you guys think of these cars? Has anyone on Oppo had one? I'm I crazy to consider trade my super efficient dependable appliance for a potentially high maintance, older, car nerd's bucket list car?
I might try to test drive it tomorrow. I'll let you guys know what I think of it.
oldirtybootz
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 12:33 |
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I wouldn't without a warranty, but that's just me. I wouldn't even have bought my Dart without one.
JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 12:33 |
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'04 was a good year for Volvos.. generally it was the late 90s to about 01 that you had to worry about (because Ford)... like you said the main thing is that timing belt... it should be changed right at 75,000 miles.... if it wasn't done yet, you would need to do it... it can kill your engine...
I would do it (but then again I am a Volvo nerd)... ironically enough I drive a 2013 Civic (leasing) and when it is up I will be looking for an older used Volvo...
Skif6996
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 12:33 |
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If you want someone to talk you out of trading a Civic for a Volvo R, you're in the wrong place. We will all tell you to buy it no matter what. Even if it is a bad idea, we will live vicariously through you're bad ideas. Not that this is a bad idea.
offroadkarter
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 12:35 |
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As someone who test drove a 04SR M6
DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!! DO IT!!!
Or try to find a 06/07SR
505Turbeaux
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 12:48 |
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Keep the Civic. If that timing belt hasn't been done by now you dont want the car, it speaks volumes. Also the clutches fail real quick. I will put you in contact with a friend who lost his on the damn highway 1200 miles from home. And his car had 80K on it. $3000 fix
TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
> Skif6996
12/27/2013 at 12:58 |
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It totally isn't...
feather-throttle-not-hair
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 13:07 |
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Don't buy it! You don't want something that awesome!
Amidoingitright?
Nik
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 13:09 |
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Owning a car is a significant risk. Volvo (yeap, this model too) are renowned for their safety. Why the hell thinking at a damn clutch when ur ass is in jeopardy in a situation? Just buy it, you will regret later the clutch and the belts but not your limbs.
André - Volvo4Life
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 13:14 |
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Former S60R owner here.
It's a fun car, it's all that it's cracked up to be and more. HOWEVER, I will chime in with some things:
1) Service history: That is critical, parts are expensive on this car, mechanical as well as body parts.
2) Clutch: Not very reiliable, mine failed at 90k.
3) Electrical System: Mine would burn out lights like it was Christmas, tailights, headlights, turnlights...whatever. It's become a game now to me and the wife, whenever we see a S60 coming towards us, we will look closely and almost always it will have a light burned out.
Having said that, it was a very fun car to own, good to drive. EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE OMG THOSE SEATS.
Slave2anMG
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 13:20 |
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Here? Talk you out of a go-faster Volvo? It's like you think people here will be...practical and rational. This concept makes my head hurt...
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Sn210
> Slave2anMG
12/27/2013 at 13:27 |
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Hahaha stupid question I know. I just can't decide, I've been waffling for a week now and I haven't even checked it out in person yet. I know once I test drive it I'm going to want it. I wanted to ask oppo's opinions because everyone else I ask wants to know why I want a Volvo in the first place.
Rico
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 13:45 |
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1) Check service records
2) Have a mechanic look at it especially if the Timing Belt hasn't been changed yet, if the mechanic says it needs to be changed really soon then use that to haggle for a cheaper price.
3) That clutch is probably as good as gone so you might want to start looking into how much a replacement is as a precaution. Call Volvo shops in your areas and ask for estimates to get a better idea.
Josh Welton
> Rico
12/27/2013 at 14:12 |
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I had a '06 S60 before the '13. We played the light game for a while, until a tech at the dealer filled us in on the trick: All the lights need replaced at the same time. Something about them being in a sequence and acting like a fuse...almost like christmas lights. I might be over simplifying it and not quite understanding it fuller, but when we replaced all the lights in the back they were fine. This was after going through and replacing one or two a month for a year straight.
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Rico
> Josh Welton
12/27/2013 at 14:19 |
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I'm not surprised, electrical systems can be fickle things. It could be a difference in bulbs that could cause fluctuations that would burn others out. How has the '13 been treating you thus far?
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Josh Welton
> Rico
12/27/2013 at 14:32 |
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Love it. It's my wife's dd, she totaled the '06 and it saved her life.
Really a nicely put together car. Little quirks from the '06 that I couldn't stand(like the odd HVAC system) are fixed. Went AWD this time, and the 5th gen Haldex setup is a blast. Overboost feature and performance driving mode make it pretty enjoyable to drive.
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Rico
> Josh Welton
12/27/2013 at 14:42 |
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Glad to hear the car saved her from serious injury! Did that influence your choice to go with another Volvo or are you just a fan of the brand?
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Josh Welton
> Rico
12/27/2013 at 16:39 |
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Personally I'm an "American Made" guy. The first one we bought was when I was at Chrysler. They subtly went from "buy American" to "buy what you build" while they started outsourcing more and more of our work to places like Brazil. It was kind of a fuck you to the big three, although honestly if they made a car that competed with the s60 we pry would have bought it. The 300 was too big and the the Sebring was a piece of shit. The s60 was nice and flies under the radar. In our neighborhood a 300 would be a target and a 3 series would stick out like a sore thumb...the s60 just kind of blends in.
That being said, my first thought when she wrecked it was to replace it with a Ford or a Chrysler. When I met up with her and started talking to her I quickly realized that she wasn't going to agree to drive anything that wasn't a Volvo. Coincidentally this was around the same time the famous "small overlap test" was made public and the s60 and an Acura were the only cars to pass the thing. Her wreck was pretty similar to that test.
The spiderweb in windshield is where her ring finger hit
lot of muscle micro tears, bruising and SEVERE vertigo, but overall could have been much worse.
I liked the '06, but the 13 is better in every way. And we went AWD over FWD, which was one regret I always had after we bought the '06.
nucciOMG
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 17:20 |
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I'll just leave mine here-
Tips for being an R owner:
1. Set SwedeSpeed as your homepage- you'll be there quite a bit.
2. Set a side ~$100 for endlinks every 18months or so (thats been my average)
3. Remove the exhaust bracket of death (see: 'EBD removal')
4. Snow is now fun.
5. FMIC if you live anywhere other than Alaska
6. The seats... good god. They are good.
7. 'Officer there is no way I was speeding... I'm in a Volvo' AKA sleepeR
8. It has the turning radius of a boat... a really big boat... seriously it's bad.
9. You. Will. Fall. In. Love.
Sasquatch
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 17:57 |
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Former 2004 S60R owner here. Others have pointed out some issues like the weak slave cylinder and timing belt. All I will say about the tablets is dont go by Bolivia's recommended interval. Mine broke at 90k when it was supposed to be serviced at 110k. Took out the engine. Change volvo tablets early and often.
The other expensive item is the struts. They are electronically controlled magna struts and $350-$450 each. They start to leak right around 60-90k. Budget $2k for this.
I owned my R from 09 until it was totalled in August of 13. I paid $9700 for it. In that time it's maintenance costs were:
Replace engine and angle gear (notoriously weak on 04's) $6500
Replace clutch and slave cylinder. $1800
Replace struts springs and bushings. $2500
In four years of ownership I spent $10800 maintaining a $9700 car. Not counting oil tires and other consumables.
I bought that car with 89000 miles. Totalled at 140000. A pre purchase inspection at a solid volvo shop is worth its weight in gold with these cars. It would have saved me thousands.
All in all the car was an expensive one but also one of the best all rounders I have ever driven.
Conclusion: It costs A ton to keep an R on the road. Is it worth it? Yes! Would I do it again? Fuck yeah!
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Sn210
> nucciOMG
12/27/2013 at 18:04 |
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Thanks for the feedback! I've heard about the ebd and the turning radius, but what's FMCI? End links were recently replaced according to the carfax. I found an "ultimate what-to-look for" post on swede speed to use as a guide. The front struts were recently replaced too, but I'm concerned about the timing belt and the clutch.
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nucciOMG
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 18:19 |
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Front Mount Intercooler. The stock IC setup is pretty pathetic. You really see a ma-hoo-sive drop in power when it gets about 85F+. And if we're talking about performance- you can think about a downpipe for it. really wakes the car up.
Yeah endlinks aren't really an issue, easy replacement. Just something I need to replace so it's on my mind.
Overall I wouldn't be too concerned with the timing belt, pop the cover off on the left side of the engine and take a look. You'll see if the belt is walking or massively cracked. As for the clutch, make sure to feel it out and don't be shy with romping on it. I touched about 100 when I test drove my R. Had to make sure it was going to do what it was supposed to do!
Awesome that the struts were replaced, those are not cheap.
My vote is to go for it. Unless the car is really beat to hell- You'll be very, very, very happy with it!
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Sn210
> Sasquatch
12/27/2013 at 18:25 |
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The carfax says the struts were replaced about 20k ago, so they should have some life in them. I'm worried about the other stuff, but I do plan on taking it for an inspection before I do any sort of negotiating.
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Sasquatch
> Sn210
12/27/2013 at 19:53 |
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Perfect. Be sure to ask the shop how often they see R's. You'd be surprised how few of them shops see and how different parts of them can be from normal S60's. Also have them check the flame trap/pcv system. Another known trouble spot.
Check out swedespeed.com for lots of good info.
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Rico
> Josh Welton
12/27/2013 at 23:09 |
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Holy crap glad she made it out that's definitely a reason to stick with the brand!