used car shopping

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mek42

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We're looking for an AWD wagon of some sort. There are a few Volvo V70 XC's within reasonable travel distance. They're late '90s with a little over 100k miles to meet our desired budget of about $5k. We want to reasonably expect to put on 40k more miles with oil changes and brake pad type maintenance and would like reasonably expect to make it to another 100k with more of same but also expect more costly maintenance such as timing belt service.

We took a V70 XC for a test drive ('98, 110k) and really liked it. We're still waiting on insurance companies after a recent total loss before we can pull the trigger though.

I do some of my own work, but realize that I do not have a broad general knowledge of vehicle maintenence, so I want to have a prospective vehicle professionally inspected before buying.

What I'm unsure of is how to best go about this whole process.

I'm thinking to first buy an autocheck 90 day 20-pack to run the VIN. Then test drive, if on short list then take to mechanic for inspection once insurance finally clears. Then pull trigger or not depending on inspection.

Is this the right order to do things?

Also, what sort of things should a driveway ameteur like me look for before taking to mechanic to rule out a prospective purchase before spending cash on the inspection? Does this list of things to look for change depending on whether the vehicle is at a used dealer or private seller?

Thanks!
 
When I was shopping for a car, I did some google searches on how to inspect a used car. There are a few good guides you can find easily, and a lot of good information on how to check out a car yourself. If it passes your tests, then keep it on the list and then have a mechanic professionally check it.

As for the Subaru Forester, I love Foresters, I'm on my second one and have been driving Foresters for the past 11 years or so. Great little cars, but you have to watch out b/c Foresters before '03 were known for having head gasket leaks. But if you see that the head gaskets were replaced, they should be fine, and if Subaru did it they extend the warranty on the HG to 10 years or 100k miles (but double check those numbers).

I believe a member who posts regularly on here (Bill in Utah?) has a Forester that had a HG issue and that was an '05 or at least a model that was definitely after '03. I personally think that shows that HG issues can be a problem on any vehicle, and not necessary the same HG issue that the previous Foresters had. But I must stress I have nothing to base that on, just my impression of the matter.

Like I said I really like the Subaru Foresters, I beat the [censored] out of mine and it pretty much kept going and going. Great reliability, and excellent bad weather handling.

Another vehicle in the similar class of the Forester is the Honda CRV. They, like pretty much all Hondas, are known for having engines that just keep going and going, and they are also available with an AWD option.

When doing your search for info on how to check out a used car, also do a search for how to check out used AWD vehicles. Things like drive it and get it well warmed up, then do slow very tight donuts in a parking lot, look for any kind of binding or "jumping" going on, cause that could be a potentially expensive problem. But that might only apply to Subarus and AWD vehicles that are always delivering some power to all four wheels, and might not apply to vehicles that are FWD until they start to slip
 
Stay away from the newer Volvo AWD's. Google Volvo and Transmission and you will see what I mean.

I've have several Volvo techs give good reports on the 97-99 Cross Country's
 
I agree with ALS. Volvo's are safe cars. With that said, if you want a Volvo, be prepared for higher maintenance and repair bills. If you can handle it, then I say go for it. I had a 2000 and it was a very solid car.
 
Originally Posted By: ALS
Stay away from the newer Volvo AWD's. Google Volvo and Transmission and you will see what I mean.

I've have several Volvo techs give good reports on the 97-99 Cross Country's


Actually, I beleive it was the post 03 Volvo's with AWD that got the much better Haldex AWD system, over the previous generations.

After doign extensive research into the subject, I fould owners complaining of a bevel gear that would wear out causing failure of the AWD system.

here's some interesting reading for ya
http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/volvo/xc70/1999/

enjoy!
 
Autochek/Carfax is just the thing for once pricey euro makes or even the subarus. Lots of ways to wreck them (in the snow etc) and they're worth enough used that serious wrecks can get rebuilt.

I would look for rust, rust, rust on a 98 that was likely driven in every snowstorm. Pry back the rubber/plastic rocker panel covers, fender guards etc.
 
We like our Subaru.
Pretty idiot-proof in bad weather.
I suspect a Subaru would be less costly to own, as well, considering purchase price for a decent used car, as well as mainenance and repairs.
 
Also I though I'd ask if you NEED awd? Like have a steep long icy driveway that isn't always plowed?(that's why we have a 4wd car, and for cottage roads in the winter)
Other than not getting stuck, there is no big advantage over a fwd car with snow tires in my experience on "normal" snowy roads. The gas penalty and extra complexity might not be worth it for some people.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Most people definitely don't need it.

They've just been "marketed" to believe they do!

Yep, there is a place for it but not on every car. I find the subaru folks bragging about how good their car is on a snowy highway due to the magical awd system a bit funny. On many of the automatic trans cars, they are running in fwd mode unless you mat it and spin the front tires... And how many people should be doing that anyways?
 
We ended up getting an '01 Subaru Legacy L wagon. We're replacing a 4 by 4 truck with this vehicle and plan to move closer to Lake Ontario soon. We also are considering using this vehicle to tow a small 5 by 8 class utility trailer if we end up missing the open truck bed we no longer have.

The vehicle we picked has 96k miles on it and has just had the head gasket replaced.
 
Originally Posted By: mek42
We ended up getting an '01 Subaru Legacy L wagon. We're replacing a 4 by 4 truck with this vehicle and plan to move closer to Lake Ontario soon. We also are considering using this vehicle to tow a small 5 by 8 class utility trailer if we end up missing the open truck bed we no longer have.

The vehicle we picked has 96k miles on it and has just had the head gasket replaced.

Sounds like a good buy, we have a couple little trailers too and unless you are moving cords of wood they haul everything you would put in the back of a pickup and sometimes more.
 
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