Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (R_marv)

Some of the others are side hop, rain squeal difficulty shifting into 1st or rev when cold. These however are all things a competent dealer should be able to fix for you. Good tires also help the side hop issue.

The runing radius on them is also really bad. There is no such thing as a u turn in an R

And if your getting an 04 try to get one that a volvo certified preowned if possible.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (minorthr)

if you get the car, it is IMPERATIVE that you get the extended warranty.

nuff said

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (phuz)

Quote, originally posted by phuz »

if you get the car, it is IMPERATIVE that you get the extended warranty. nuff said

Yeah that to

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (R_marv)

Welcome Marv:

See my recent post HERE. Also, some known issues are listed HERE (a TNN is a technical service bulletin that has been issued to Volvo dealers).

Not all R's have all issues. For instance, the haldex issue has been relegated to a certain series of Manual Transmission cars, seemingly. Some people have had some problems, others have had little to none.

Also, a good dealer is key. Volvo dealers tend to be clueless about R's. Ask the people in your area for a good dealer.

Good luck and don't be scared - I bought an '04 with 26k on it last winter and love it!

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (R_marv)

The reverse battery mount is a must for proper weight distribution and ecceleration.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by needsdecaf »

Also, a good dealer is key. Volvo dealers tend to be clueless about R's. Ask the people in your area for a good dealer. Good luck and don't be scared - I bought an '04 with 26k on it last winter and love it!

Dont be stupid like me and continue to take it to a dealer that never sells R's and has only ever seen 3 of them. If they say that RUN

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (minorthr)

yeah, or drive away

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (phuz)

Quote, originally posted by phuz »

if you get the car, it is IMPERATIVE that you get the extended warranty. nuff said

It's called Certified PreOwned.

 

Well, I'm trying to stick with a certified pre-owned, so sounds like I'm on the right track with that. I'm pretty sure that this will be the car that I get, just gotta get all the details worked out. Thanks for all the help!
Ryan

 

Re: (R_marv)

Quote, originally posted by R_marv »

Well, I'm trying to stick with a certified pre-owned, so sounds like I'm on the right track with that. I'm pretty sure that this will be the car that I get, just gotta get all the details worked out. Thanks for all the help! Ryan

Don't "try to stick," make SURE you do
You can't own one of these without it, really you can't

 

Re: (JRL)

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

Don't "try to stick," make SURE you do You can't own one of these without it, really you can't

He may be better off [resale value] without the warranty. It will be the lowest mileage R ever, lol.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (minorthr)

DON"T buy a 2004 no matter how low the miles or how sweet the deal.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (cloaked)

Quote, originally posted by cloaked »

DON"T buy a 2004 no matter how low the miles or how sweet the deal.

I don't know if I would go that far. My 2004 has been far from trouble free over the past two years (axle splines, brakes, sticking shifter) but all were fixed though in some cases, it took multiple efforts. Be sure and ask for the service history and see what TNN's (if any) were applied and insist on having any done prior to purchase.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (MagoonR)

My '04 has been fine as well if you don't count the whole 4C system as a problem. The only major things I had done are steering rack replacement, shifter cable adjustment, and a couple trips to the dealer to finally get them to give me a SUM update. Other than that, I've had no breakdowns or power loss issues like some *cough* 06's *cough* have had.

 

My 06 has 11,000 miles and has had zero problems and I even had a dealer do the "fix" for the power loss before it ever happened. Hopefully it will stay this way!

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (cloaked)

Quote, originally posted by cloaked »

DON"T buy a 2004 no matter how low the miles or how sweet the deal.

Absolutely crazy to say this. As I said above, I have had my '04 for 7 months and 13000 miles with no major problems. Just a couple of the minor "known issues".

I have a co-worker who has an '04 who has had ZERO problems.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (needsdecaf)

Really I don't think there is a need for a pole; however, I think its safe to say that if we were to query 2004 owners and former owners then come up with the % trouble free ownership. Then repeat the pole using the 2005 model. The 2005 model "R" would have a higher ratio of trouble free and enjoyment hands down.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (cloaked)

Quote, originally posted by cloaked »

Really I don't think there is a need for a pole; however, I think its safe to say that if we were to query 2004 owners and former owners then come up with the % trouble free ownership. Then repeat the pole using the 2005 model. The 2005 model "R" would have a higher ratio of trouble free and enjoyment hands down.

I would agree with you 100%. The '05's plus definitely have many many nice improvements (except for the HU-850) But to say don't buy an '04 at any deal is crazy. Even the early builds (mine is an Oct '03).

Let the new guys get a good deal and join us!

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by needsdecaf »

The '05's plus definitely have many many nice improvements (except for the HU-850)

Body colored moldings (some colors look better than others) - no biggie

Chrome surround shifter and new console - push IMO (I like the black console)

Newer suspension revisions - another potential push

Improved ECU processing speeds - http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

HU 850 - http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif

Same crappy GT - http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif

Quote, originally posted by needsdecaf »

But to say don't buy an '04 at any deal is crazy. Even the early builds (mine is an Oct '03). Let the new guys get a good deal and join us!

Agreed. Just make sure that the vehicle history was reviewed and the TNN's are up to date.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by needsdecaf »

I have a co-worker who has an '04 who has had ZERO problems.

you guys are lucky http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

Quote, originally posted by needsdecaf »

I would agree with you 100%. The '05's plus definitely have many many nice improvements (except for the HU-850) But to say don't buy an '04 at any deal is crazy. Even the early builds (mine is an Oct '03). Let the new guys get a good deal and join us!

I just want him to increase his happiness percentage that's all.

 

Re: (R_marv)

Quote, originally posted by R_marv »

Well, I'm trying to stick with a certified pre-owned, so sounds like I'm on the right track with that. I'm pretty sure that this will be the car that I get, just gotta get all the details worked out. Thanks for all the help! Ryan

If you can get a much better price from a private party ($3k or more) I would go that way after a through inspection and buy my own extended warranty rather than paying a dealer top dollar for a CPO. Just my 2 cents.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (MagoonR)

Quote, originally posted by MagoonR »

HU 850 - http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif Same crappy GT - http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif http://********************/smile/emthdown.gif

i wouldnt call the 06 GT crappy. and the 850 radio isnt all that bad, it just needs more volume than the 803 radio to sound good. to be on the safe side id look for an 05 or 06 certified preowned or whatever, although they are harder to find than 04's.

 

Re: Potential buyer... known issues?I (sk11vengeance)

Quote, originally posted by sk11vengeance »

i wouldnt call the 06 GT crappy.

The reference was to the thread stating that the 05's had many improvements over the 04's. Yes, the 06 GT is much better.

Quote, originally posted by sk11vengeance »

to be on the safe side id look for an 05 or 06 certified preowned or whatever, although they are harder to find than 04's.

An 06 CPO will be a really tough find.

 

Thanks again for all the responses...

I'm not afraid of having minor issues that I have to get to the dealer for, so long as they can fix them. I finally got fed up with my current car after they could fix water leaking through the cabin air filter after five attempts. I actually pursued a buy-back, but couldn't convince saab to do that, although they did offer a settlement.

On my budget I'm limited to the 04's, that's why I'm looking at CPO. Now, I guess the important question, anybody in Centeral Massachusetts that can recommend a good dealer to work on an R? I don't mind driving a little to get there (I drive about an hour to get to my Saab dealer because they are better the the one 10 minutes away).

Well, I'm hoping to get a deal done in the next day or two and get in the car in about a week, hopefully I'll be sticking around here for a while.

Thanks again, Ryan

 

Re: (R_marv)

Too bad you are in the eastern end of the state. 2 hrs is probably too far. My dealership has been great. I took my car in on tues. for the 22.5k service and the axle click issue. My SA asked if there was anything else, so I told her that the suspension was making noise. (In truth, the front end was feeling a little loose, but I thought it was just me.) Off I go in my loaner (S40 T5) for the day. When I come back at 7:30PM, I find that not only was the service done and axle click taken care of, but they found that the "front ball joints loose - replaced both front ball joints", and "rear sway links loose - replaced rear sway links". All warranty work. No fights, no hassle, no extensive monologue about the problem. It was just take care of. The car now feels like it's new again. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif