No warranty. Car was a trade-in at Airdrie Chrysler. Chrysler didn't think they could sell the car, so the sales-manager sold it to his Dad who runs this place.

There are other cars yes, but not the Ocean Race. I just love the colour. In the end though, its not that important compared to other things. It is quite a bit cheaper than other cars with comparable mileage. So I could afford to spend a bit more to get it in shape. Its just the hassle of getting it there if there are serious issues.

I'm thinking I'm going to put in a very low offer, agreeing to take the car as-is. If they don't bite, I'll likely walk.

Claim is in. They are offering me $16,723 plus the GST on whichever car cost less...the one I'm buying, or my old one.

Not too bad. I'm sending them receipts for all the work I've done. I also told her there is only one comparable vehicle in all of Alberta right now, which seemed to surprise my agent. Price is dead on for it, and I've already negotiated the price down somewhat.

http://volvoofedmonton.autotrader.ca/us ... 90cbbc.htm

A last ditch effort:
"Hello Patrick,

At the very least, I would appreciate an explanation as to why a third party inspection is not allowed."

Response:
"Greg,

As I have stated a couple of times before trucks unlimited inc does not send vehicles out for 3rd party inspections. The Volvo dealer in Calgary in notorious for calling bs things on there inspections because they don't want anyone else selling Volvos in Calgary but them.

We will be refunding your deposit today."

My response:
"Patrick,

I wasn't asking whether you sent cars out for third party inspections, I was asking why, which you hadn't answered. And citing a bizarre belief that the dealership calls BS inspections is both paranoid and irrelevant. I would have accepted a third party inspection from several other shops in Calgary, one of which was willing to come to you for the inspection. So I will ask again, as you still haven't answered the question: why won't you accept third party inspections?

I propose that you must be selling bad cars, and aren't willing to stand behind your product, knowing that you stand to lose your profits if people find out how bad your vehicles are. Not allowing your customers to follow the industry standard of getting a proper inspection is both bad practice and in some respects nefarious. I will be sure to tell everyone I know that you are not to be trusted. I expect my deposit will be refunded immediately."

Well, that's that.

I propose we all contact him with an interest in the car and ask for a 3rd party inspection...

Thanks Dale, that made me LOL. Now where's the phone.

Greg, who did you find to do an onsite inspection? I kinda get not wanting cars leaving for inspections as they could get f'd with by a sleazy mechanic, but not allowing one onsite tells me everything I need to know about these DB's.

ETA: Noticed that the SOLD is off the ad and they relisted $500 higher.

Bahahahah!!! That would be good. He responded to my last email by saying:

"We do inspections on all of our vehicles and if repairs are needed they are done and repaired to Alberta safety guide lines. The fact you were not satisfied with the inspection that has been completed is your problem not ours!!.

If you want a perfect vehicle buy a new one!!"

Groooooan. Because nobody has ever heard of "conflict of interest"....

Yeah Jim, the whole onsite thing sketched me out too. Beats me. A mechanic at our college started this, and they do onsite in Calgary and Lethbridge:
http://inspectacar.vm-host.net/index.php

WHaTTT?? The price has gone up??? Oh geez....that's out of hand.

Run from this a$$ hat. That's my only advice. A colour/option package isn't worth it to deal with someone with that bedside manner. That's terrible salesmanship.

WOW, after those comments I take back my comment about them being DB`s, as it would be an insult to DB`s everywhere. I was going to suggest Inspectacar earlier, but their website gave me the impression they only worked out of their shop. Too bad as it`s a decent mile ORB with Haldex II at a reasonable price, unfortunate that`s where any reasonableness comes to an abrupt end. And car dealers wonder why they get a bad rap, unbelievable...

Yup. And our man is back for more. Please note I didn't respond to his last email back to me.

"Thought you might like a update on your Volvo.

A mechanic from valentine Volvo bought the Ocean Race and only found one thing wrong with it ...Low washer fluid!!

We sell great vehicles to great people

Merry Christmas Gregory"

How do you spell "passive aggressive" again?

ummm... Unf*&king believable, what makes people to do shit like that? Guy makes Max Lapierre look like a decent human being, he'd probably screw his mother over on a car deal, assuming she even talks to him...

You should gather up all of the correspondence and file a complaint with BBB and AMVIC. It won't get you anywhere, but it will get his company the recognition it so richly deserves. My condolences for having had the displeasure of dealing with this douche.

I would take the missed opportunity of the ORB and take the P2R out for a spin. . I'd hold out for the 06/07 R if you can as the angle gear collar was upgraded, and the Haldex is better.

I've driven a few cars, and my buddy's recent purchase of an 04' V70R 6sp ruined me thoroughly. I was happily content with my gorgeous '00 V70R, but after we did a side by side comparison, and back to back test drives I was blown away.

Started looking that night, and bought an 06' GT this past September. Dale and Matt can vouch for what an ordeal it was, but the hassle was dismissed on the road trip back. I still have to replace the valve body for it to be perfect, but I've learned how to drive it to keep its shift issues at bay, and my wife never will notice its issues.

4C suspension is better than I thought, but not as good overall as my '00 (Koni yellows w/ new Nivo's), and the seats aren't as good on 3+hour drives. Brakes and how powerful the car is will obliterate any of the previous issues mentioned, and you will likely find yourself giggling out loud.

I absolutely love the car, and despite the few things the old car does better, the new R is a definitely an engineering generation better. Bang for the buck for a 16K car is ridiculous.

So if you can test drive the R I highly recommend them - but wait for the right one!

Rabin

My two cents, a little late but.

Any place that will not let the car out for an inspection at a shop of your choice is not worth dealing with. As this places follow up emails prove. It would seem that they are peeved little children.

As for the mechanic from Valentine buying the car and only finding one thing wrong---did they let him take it for an inspection? They seem to have issues with outside inspections and Valentine mechanics finding BS things.

Sounds like a good place to run away from.

I've thought about gathering up correspondence and filing a complaint, but this guy has wasted so much of my time and energy already, and I'm not sure it would do anything. In the meantime, I'm actually curious if I can track down the tech at Valentine that bought it. I'm wondering if he'll fix it and flip it, in which case I'm interested!

I doubt the place let the Valentine tech take it for inspection. But since he knows what to look for, has access to a hoist and parts at cost, I'm guessing he was willing to take the risk. I drove by Valentine today on my way home to see if the car was there by chance, but nope. There was a really nice blue P2R in for service though....

Since then, this car went in to Volvo of Edmonton for inspection with Jordan, who has been a heap of help to me:
http://volvoofedmonton.autotrader.ca/us ... 90cbbc.htm

The result? A long long list of issues, including oil seeping from seals, and get this....a front strut that wasn't tightened down properly. The used car lot redid the upper strut mounts, and I guess their mechanic, uhhh, forgot to tighten shit down? Jordan couldn't believe it, and told me to walk away from this one. Good to know their "certified car" would have self-destructed on the way home. Jordan said the wheel was flopping around. Again, really bummed. The techs at the dealership couldn't believe it by the sounds of it. This again proves my point about the need for a third-party inspection.

Bean, I am seriously considering R's. I appreciate your input on them. I had an inspection lined up on this one before I found the Ocean Race XC, at which point I cancelled it.
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Volvo/V70/ED ... po=ShowCPO
Its a Vancouver car, but it sounds like most of the bigger ticket items haven't been done so far. But I am still considering it.

There's another 200k R for sale right now in Calgary, but the mileage scares me away:
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Volvo/V70/CA ... po=ShowCPO

There's this one in Kelowna, but the price is way high for the miles:
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Volvo/V70/CO ... po=ShowCPO

I would prefer an 06-07, but they're pretty hard to find. There's this one, but a little out of my price range. And I really would like Atacama.
http://www.urbangarage.com/cdetails.asp?CID={C3E08C12-D189-48B6-A7E4-EFB2FC2C3A72}&Category=TUGN

Like this. Atacama, 6 speed, and originally a Vancouver car. Wonder how much shipping would be across the country?
http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Volvo/V70/SC ... po=ShowCPO

As for P1's, I was surprised to find a low mileage example tonight:
http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... Z553720505
I always loved that blue, and seriously, with the low mileage, and if it does have service history at Valentine, I'm almost tempted for the price!

If you find any others, let me know. But there really isn't much out there. I'm willing to wait to find a good one. And a manual is a must.

Insurance has upped their settlement to $18k, so I have a bit more to play with. It pays to keep receipts I guess. And people are telling me I will be getting an injury settlement as well...but I've never heard of this. Anyone have any experience? Apparently they'll just come to me with a sheet of paper and some money, asking me to sign it so I won't sue.

Injury settlement ....I have an "acquaintance" (term used loosely), apparently was run into about 2 yrs ago although I don't remember seeing damage if any to her car or her, almost forgot about the whole thing. Recently just received a check from insurance....$ 39,000 and change. I did see that cheque, I guess if you get a lawyer and are willing to wait
good things come to you. Ever wonder why insurance is expensive ?

Couple of thoughts, I saw the 00R as well and thought the ad seemed a bit odd. Seller claims to be the original owner but the plate is a later 7 charachter series with no previous renewal stickers?? Also from what I have been reading the 00R has the first 5 speed A/T that only came that year as 01+ got the new software, valve body etc. so trans issues make swaps and sourcing used difficult?? Rabin would be the guy to set all of that straight as it's just what I have been reading up on lately and he owns a 00R.

That 05R at Sandy Lane makes me wonder a bit as well, the interior (shot of the carpet/mats) looks filthy. Combine that with the leather seat resto makes me think the PO's were pigs?? Still can't figure out why a 161K car would need the seats redone? I'm probably being fussy/paranoid but if the interior has been bagged on, what was the rest of the maintenance like? I guess if SL is saying it's tight it would be worth an inspection, but I wonder what the car looks like in person?

If you're interested in the high mile 04R you could try PM'ing Blueleezard on V70R.com, it's his old car and he appears to have been a very fussy owner. I wanted to read all of his posts but for some reason on that forum if you search user posts only 3 come up when his profile shows 2xx posts? I don't think he's that active since he sold the car, hopefully he has his PM's set to email notification.

That Volvo of Edmonton story is a classic case of why everything should be inspected, despite what el Douche at Trucks Unlimited claims.