[swunder]

Need a second car for occasional baby (on the way!) hauling and maybe just something more comfortable to throw golf clubs into -- both a baby and golf clubs do not 'easily' fit into my 135i.

The ONLY car I desire for this duty... a 2004 - 2007 Volvo V70R (random I know).

So, I can buy a beater with 150k+ miles for like 8 grand, or a nice version with 60k miles for 18 grand.

How would you decide? I'm barely ever gonna drive the thing -- maybe 1000 miles a year. Money not an issue just what is the best tool for the job...

[fgpalmer71]

A Beater with 150k miles would more then likely fit the bill and likely be a nice 14 year old car.

[Alfisti]

Those prices are INSANE.

You can pick up a 9-3 wagon for less than half that and trust me, excellent kiddie and golf club hauler, had one for 10 years.

[P1]

Not random, as the V70 R is a fantastic looking and performing estate.

Define "beater"? Torn up interior? Dinged body panels? Sparse service history? A car simply having 150K miles doesn't make it a beater.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by P1

Not random, as the V70 R is a fantastic looking and performing estate.

Define "beater"? Torn up interior? Dinged body panels? Sparse service history? A car simply having 150K miles doesn't make it a beater.

Honestly, as an aussie i find the north american car market a bit silly. Miles drives the price like nothing else, pricing is extremely miles sensitive, condition be damnded.

[fgpalmer71]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Honestly, as an aussie i find the north american car market a bit silly. Miles drives the price like nothing else, pricing is extremely miles sensitive, condition be damnded.

Extremely accurate observation! I have family in the Phillipines, UK and Trinidad and that's been a topic of discussion in the past. It's pretty nutty, but that's how we get down for whatever reason. No matter the car an example with 30k miles and ZERO history commands a much higher price then a 95k mile example with complete history from day 1!

[swunder]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Those prices are INSANE.

You can pick up a 9-3 wagon for less than half that and trust me, excellent kiddie and golf club hauler, had one for 10 years.

Saabs not a bad option for sure! But I have an affinity for Volvo wagons - had a 240, 740T, XC70 - always dreamed of an 850R or V70R as a kid. I don't expect this to be a particularly smart or reliable purchase.

I haven't gotten too far in my search but I guess beater would suggest - torn up/worn interior, banged up paint, dents, maybe some failing electronics like seat heaters. You know how it is, when you get up to 15 years old, 3+owners, and 150k miles you probably aren't gonna have a perfectly up to date carfax.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by swunder

Saabs not a bad option for sure! But I have an affinity for Volvo wagons - had a 240, 740T, XC70 - always dreamed of an 850R or V70R as a kid. I don't expect this to be a particularly smart or reliable purchase.

I haven't gotten too far in my search but I guess beater would suggest - torn up/worn interior, banged up paint, dents, maybe some failing electronics like seat heaters. You know how it is, when you get up to 15 years old, 3+owners, and 150k miles you probably aren't gonna have a perfectly up to date carfax.

I had a V70 2.5 T AWD that I absolutely loved. It was comfortable, could carry a ton of stuff and looked great. I wanted to keep the thing forever. But at a little over 100K it started having lots of issues, the CPU went, a number of minor electrical issues and then it dropped a valved which affect destroying a piston, the head and getting spit through the turbo ended that dream. I got the car fixed via an engine out of a wreck and then sold it. I still have a sour taste in my mouth about that whole thing. I want to love Volvo because of their bullet proof reputation but I think that really applies to older Volvo's, I mean pre 90's.

[stein_325i]

Beater. If your gonna use it only on occasion save the cash, but do a good PPI so you hopefully know what your in for and whether it will need money put aside for repairs.

[BEM-S4]

Not what you want, but since we're talking performance wagons... I've never seen one of these in person before and they rarely come up for sale.

https://www.luxsport.com/2002-audi-s...ttro-c-672.htm

[chassis]

Do you want to eat an apple, or an orange?

The two cars are not comparable.

Buy the newest, lowest mileage vehicle that meets your budget and your transportation needs.

[383vett]

You said money is not the object. If so, spend more to get the lower mileage, better condition car and hopefully it'll be reliable and you won't need to spend any for repairs. Remember, above all, you want your family to be safe.