Last couple of years i have created a Dutch web car diary on 2 Dutch Volvo fora.
They contain almost all of the stories, pictures and a full, honest and open insight in the expenses made (with part numbers, and where i got them) for the then full 6 years of ownership.
It costed me months of research and remembering, trying to put things in the right order.
There are ups, but those won’t come without any downs…
And this my dear friends is my attempt to do this all again, but in English. 🤘 🥳
This is the story behind owning and maintaining a “high” mileage, 25 years young Volvo V70T5.
I’ll kick this off with the reason why i chose this particular car.
In 2018 we owned 2 cars:
- A 2012 Fiat Panda twinair, for the missus.
- A 2004 Volvo V50 2.0 diesel, for me.
When i was told that my shoulder would be replaced (see my introduction ) it got me thinking.
The V50 is a wonderful car, well designed, very nice handling.
You can change a headlight in 30 seconds, just well thought through.
Mine had 365.000 km on it, a six speed manual and i had her tuned. (caution loud!)
She was a lot of fun, very fast and still efficiënt.
But the clutch cilinder (on the bell housing) had started leaking, causing her to push thru the clutch when accelerating on the highway.
Here in Holland we pay more tax for a diesel but the fuel is cheaper, taxes also based on the weight of the car.
I knew that my kilometers would be going down drastically very soon.
Add the expenses that had to be made to keep my V50 road worthy, combined with the fact that i would be able to drive sooner after the surgery in an automatic, made me surf the web.
I wanted a wagon because we love car holliday’s, like camping and such.
With 2 teenage boys we need every bit of space we can find.
Curtain airbags for the family and a bit of comfort.
It needed to be known to be reliable because of the upcoming surgery.
And like Tim the toolman Taylor i like more power, so something with a bit of potential.
I even had a look at the general costs for parts and availability on the aftermarket.
Not looking for a particular brand i took some time to read different fora.
Reading about all pro’s and con’s but i just kept finding that a p2 V70T5 ticked all my boxes.
After that i spend more time than i will ever admit watching YouTube videos.😁
And even that just confirmed i found my match.
A couple of days went by with some visits to some cars that where for sale.
Nothing really seemed to float my boat.
Until one morning when i walked into a towtruck company, that also repairs and sells second hand Volvo’s.
There she stood, winking at me.
“Come closer” she whispered and i obeyed.
“Read my info card” she said in a sexy tone, oh she knew how to play me..🤤
She was a V70T5, with geartronic from the year 2000 and she was good for 438751 kilometers of experience.
She came from Gothenburg equipped with: sport line, comfort line, premium line, winter line, mobility line and estate line.
She was “fully maintained” all her young life.
Later i found out that’s kinda worthless without the bill’s to prove it.
Just stamps in a book…🙄
The salesman came scurrying down to see if he could seal the deal.
We had a long and quite honest conversation about me and what i was looking for.
Also about the troubled V50 i had to offer.
He was very understanding and told me about his own car history.
“Ask him for consent” the Volvo interrupted the man.
“What?” I asked her.
“To touch me, have a look around”
Ofcourse this wasn’t any issue and while we talked i started to check her out.
She’s got some minor damages but she seems straight as an arrow.
Tires all were of a decent brand and with plenty of tread.
The engine bay had been cleaned.
That makes it hard to find leaks or see what the condition of the hoses et cetera is.
But no wierd corrosion or funny diy, just a stock engine with all fluids on level.
The interior was very high gloss detailed.
Not to shabby, but she’s been around if you looked a bit beyond the bling.
I really started digging her and that’s when she made another move: “Ask for a test drive”.
And so half an hour later she stood calmly purring in front of the company for me to enjoy.
Gawd i love the sound of an idling 5 cilinder! 😍
As i got in i tested each and every button and it all worked.
Except for the high performance audio, the hu 803 wanted a code.
I gently warmed her up but noticed she was a tiny touch inconsistent.
A little shaky in her power delivery and a bit sloppy in her handeling.
After half an hour of easy country roads she decided play time was over.
“Take me to a highway, i want to show you something”
“Yes mam!” and off we went.
Before we were at the end of the merging lane we were already traveling at the maximum allowed speed.
And that wasn’t even with half throttle.
The highway was nearly empty and i let her coast for a bit.
“Do ieeet!” she cheered me on, and i put the padel to the metal.
Within the blink of an eye she downshifts 2 gears and throws all of her legacy on the line…
But boy does she come through, all the pieces fall into their place and she starts hauling ass! 🤘
Before i know it we are at “license losing” speeds and i let her roll out, but she had succesfully seduced me. 😍
Then all of a sudden all of the dashboard lights start flashing simultaneously and the engine starts sputtering. What have i done? 😯
Luck will have it, i am right before a gass station.
I exit the highway and pull into the parking lot.
During a call with the seller i restart the engine on his advice, everything is back to normal.
He asks me if i’m willing to take her back in, or if he should arrange transportation for the both of us.
That’s service if you ask me. 😉
I took her back and a couple of days later received a call if i was still interested in a test drive.
Asif that was even a question…
Apparently the salesman hadn’t properly reconnected the negative battery terminal, while preparing for the test drive.
They disconnect those to spare the battery if a car sits a bit longer in the showroom.
That’s also the reason why the hu wanted a code, which they had done now.
The terminal had come loose during the drive and while doing so had happily fried the alternator.🥳
They also repaired a leaking gasket, that became apparent after the test drive and had replaced the timing belt.
Just for the fun of it!
And a little bit because i mentioned – while checking out the engine in the showroom – that it needed to be replaced within 20.000 kilometers.
Don’t worry i’m nearly done with the first entry of this neverending story, hang in there! 💪
I just love that kind of honesty, they even enthusiastically showed me the repairs.
They started apologizing but i would have none of that!
We all make mistakes and they made up for it and more.😇
I got to inspect the entire under carriage and took her out for a second spin.
She’s still a bit moody but when everything aligns she seems to perform like a proud stallion.
Her bones are solid and she speaks to me.
What more can i ask for, as you never know what the future holds.
So we sat down and started crunching numbers.
We agreed that they exchange me the V50 for half it’s worth, meaning €1750 at that time. And i would pay the same amount (€1750) for the V70, which was listed for €2950,-
Yes i’d lose money but to feel love you need to hurt a little.
21-08-2018 i proudly register her to my name and park my grand lady.
I grab my potato and snap these shots.
This is my V70T5! 🥰
Thank you if you made it to the end of this first entry!
Not only am i Dutch but also dyslectic, so 2 ways to f up my English. 😉
I hope it is readable and a bit entertaining, do let me know so i can learn. 🤞