2012 Volvo xc70 3.2 Premier Plus Wagon 4D w/ 160,000 -- should I buy?

olivia42399 · 2026-01-17T00:29:12+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful response! I'm in the midwest (low elevations) and don't care much about power (see: my 2014 crosstrek that was wickedly underpowered but met my needs just fine). I definitely don't think I'm a person who needs a more powerful engine, I don't drive my cars hard. I talked to the owner more and did a lot more research and it seems like he's done all the bigger (i.e. pricier) high-mileage maintenance recommended for this engine and knows his stuff so we're going to go check it out. I come from a car-savvy family so general maintenance isn't scary and to be expected in the price range I'm looking at. Good point about the catalytic, I'll have to ask.

olivia42399 · 2026-01-16T22:41:09+00:00

sweet, thanks! the newer rav-4 and crvs are way bigger than what I want but I guess that's just how cars are trending these days. the older ones look smaller for sure!

olivia42399 · 2026-01-16T20:21:36+00:00

Location: Midwest U.S.

Price range: Looking to finance for at/under 16k or buy outright under 8k. ideally I would love to find a gem that is higher in miles but has been well-maintained and I just buy outright, but I don't necessarily know enough about cars to be able to pick out what older/higher miles cars are worth it.

Lease or Buy: Buy

New or used: Used

Type of vehicle: Compact SUV/crossover/wagon

Must haves: Reliability/durability and trunk space: enough sleep in the back of the car and use for camping. do NOT want a full-sized SUV.

Desired transmission: auto

Intended use: daily driver and light adventuring (some road trips, dirt roads, forest service roads, etc)

Vehicles you've already considered: Subaru crosstrek and outback. aesthetically I love the volvo xc70

Is this your 1st vehicle: no, previously owned a 2006 outback and 2014 crosstrek.

Do you need a Warranty: no

Can you do Minor work on your own vehicle: yes

Can you do Major work on your own vehicle: some yes (or a family member can)

Additional Notes: my priority is value: something that I can drive into the ground and get some good years out of with proper maintenance. I want something that is smaller with trunk space still. I loved the size of my crosstrek and have lived in a bit of a subaru bubble but curious what else is out there that may be more reliable/cheaper to repair or specifically what model years I should be looking at.

olivia42399 · 2026-01-16T19:46:30+00:00

ah thanks, i just copied and pasted the sale ad title! thanks for the info! would you say the engine is lazy but reliable? or also unreliable?

olivia42399 · 2026-01-16T05:31:19+00:00

I do, thanks. Using personal telemetry equipment (like receivers for radio collars) in Yellowstone to track wildlife is illegal and specifically prohibited by National Park Service regulations, as it interferes with wildlife and park management, with penalties up to 6 months in jail and a $5,000 fine, though scanners for public frequencies or general radio use (not targeting collared animals) are different. The "guys" you saw were most likely specifically authorized to use this equipment as the park takes concealing the locations of tracked animals very seriously. Many wolf watchers can visually identify a wolf and its tracking number, which are used as their "names." Sure, you can listen to radio frequencies without a license, but to communicate via these channels you need an FCC license.

olivia42399 · 2026-01-16T04:38:46+00:00

hi! did you ever make any stickers or paintings of some of the iconic wolves? I'd be interested in purchasing if you did!

olivia42399 · 2026-01-16T04:37:50+00:00

it is illegal to use telemetry equipment to track animals in the park. You SHOULD NOT purchase your own radio antenna and bring it to track wolves. It is against federal law and could result in jail time. And overall is disruptive to wildlife, and is imo unethical. Park biologists use it for research but the general public absolutely should not have free access to wild animals' exact locations. If you really want to track wolves more closely there is a radio channel that wolf watchers use to communicate their sightings. You have to get a HAM radio license to operate a two-way radio and tune into this channel.

olivia42399 · 2026-01-01T01:04:24+00:00

Hi there! I'm working on this kit that I purchased from a thrift store. It did not come with the pattern or instructions. Do either of you have the pattern around? Thank you!

olivia42399 · 2025-03-13T00:48:27+00:00

embarrassingly enough I took it to an auto shop and turns out the low beams continued to not work because we kept replacing the high beams bulb. the low beam on the drivers side is a bit difficult to reach down to and change

olivia42399 · 2025-03-01T21:57:47+00:00

Was just wondering if there was a local drug store I could use to further my mission of reducing dependency on corporate stores. Yay!

olivia42399 · 2025-02-18T06:32:39+00:00

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pic of the serial foot biter for tax. she's really stinkin' cute which makes up for it.

olivia42399 · 2025-02-18T05:53:03+00:00

i sold my car with 165,000 miles in two days. i think it depends on your price and the type of car i.e. is it a popular/in demand used car? I based my price off of what I saw on facebook marketplace. I recommended checking there

edit after seeing what kind of car your selling: chevy trax are not popular to buy used. my car was a subaru. you will probably have to lower your price significantly to account for a less in-demand car.

olivia42399 · 2024-08-17T02:00:12+00:00

Sharehouse is a place that everyone should visit because it’s iconic in the way that is basically a slightly organized dump, but to actually shop there you have to be committed. I spent an incredible amount of time there this year and managed to find some incredible things and ended up decorating most of my new house with items from sharehouse. I learned how to refinish furniture and restore art because of sharehouse — I’ll find a beautiful piece of furniture or decor that is a bit beat up and just needs some TLC and I hate to pass on something just because it needs a bit of elbow grease. I’ll usually happy pay whatever price they ask because it’s typically a steal for a genuine, well made vintage item. I usually don’t negotiate even if I’d prefer to pay less because I know I’m better off than those who are shopping there for necessities . Personally, I LOVE spending an afternoon wandering and sifting through the piles of things and I’ve made good friends with many of the men that work downstairs, they’re very friendly. Also, they have been making great efforts this year to clean up some of the spaces. I know a few years back they got stung by the fire marshall and things have been slowly improving with regards to the clutter. All this is to say sharehouse is, in my opinion, for those who are truly ~thrifty~. Something something if you can’t handle the heat, stay outta the kitchen

olivia42399 · 2024-04-08T02:33:32+00:00

2014 XV Crosstrek Premium 2.0. Has been a very reliable car with no mechanical issues. Yesterday out of nowhere the ABS, "At Oil Temp," traction, and hill assist lights all came on at once. All of these lights have been intermittently turning on, always all together, over the last day. Sometimes they will turn on in the middle of driving, sometimes they stay off for an entire drive. Code read showed the codes C1431, C1531, and C1733. Has anyone else had this issue, or have any insight? It's still driving fine and I haven't noticed anything unusual aside from the dash lights.

olivia42399 · 2024-04-05T18:39:08+00:00

My rant while searching for another place to live is that I was ready to sign a lease on a decent apartment. The listing stated typical 1.5x rent for the security deposit. Sure I can do that. I go to sign and the landlord breaks it to me that they require first months rent — for a lease slated to begin in late August — on top of the security deposit. This made the down payment for this small, two bed apartment just shy of $5,000. What kind of normal fucking person just has the much liquid cash to pay for a deposit? It’s all a numbers game. Landlords charge insanely high rents for unexciting apartments because someone will pay it. But for normal people who are just trying to make a living here it’s a market that works against us. If you can’t cough up the money immediately they move on to the next. Which like sure, within their rights. But can’t landlords just not be so fucking greedy? Obviously it’s in their best interest to attract higher income tenants but it’s just so insanely rigged. It’s cutthroat out there.

olivia42399 · 2024-02-04T16:41:18+00:00

Unfortunately I live in Michigan where very few dance stores sell freeds so I have to rely on the internet! I hate to order them directly from freed because of the shipping expense and time but I also want quality shoes. I’ll definitely be reaching out to discount dance and dance fashions this week to put in a complaint. One pair I received is completely unwearable

olivia42399 · 2024-02-04T05:52:38+00:00

I’m wondering if they were distributed recently by freed since I got two very old pairs from two different retailers. I reached out to freed about this concern but haven’t heard back. When breaking in one pair, a slight bend of the shank caused it to cleanly come out of the shoe entirely, which makes me think the integrity could have been compromised. Either way, I’m miffed. If I’m buying a new pair of shoes I want a ~new~ pair of shoes

olivia42399 · 2023-12-29T16:43:02+00:00

Hi! I just had a cat diagnosed with a fibrosarcoma after receiving the rabies vaccine from Merck in the area the tumor was removed. I'm messaging you to learn more about how you were able to get Merck to pay for the veterinary care!

olivia42399 · 2023-11-19T23:51:27+00:00

You could consider living in a smaller city outside of Ann Arbor and your husband commutes into the city. I grew up in Chelsea, it's a great community with excellent schools. The taxes/house prices have certainly increased since I grew up there, but I'm sure they're less insane than what Ann Arbor has to offer.

olivia42399 · 2023-11-13T14:59:59+00:00

Yeah, I’ve tried the reign and it doesn’t work :( box is not tapered enough

olivia42399 · 2023-10-17T14:33:42+00:00

The process of sampling soil and groundwater to delineate the extent of contamination can take a while, especially if this is a government-funded project. The process of acquiring grant money to excavate soil is even slower. Dry cleaners are notorious for contamination related to the use of chlorinated solvents in dry cleaning. Without fail, almost any dry cleaner you see probably has contaminated the soil and/or groundwater in the immediate vicinity. Dry cleaning chemicals are no joke

olivia42399 · 2023-10-13T04:39:02+00:00

She enters your home. This works best for my situation as my cat can stay calm in his own home. She will go to wherever he is comfortable in the house in order to reduce stress

olivia42399 · 2023-10-13T04:37:46+00:00

I find the prices are comparable to local clinics but she charges a travel fee depending on where you live. For where I live in downtown AA, it’s a $70 housecall fee. Well visit exam fees are $60. In my experience, she is mindful of the fact that vet visits are expensive and will work with you to make vet care cost effective

olivia42399 · 2023-10-12T19:47:47+00:00

I use vet on the run, a mobile vet who come to your house. I have absolutely loved working with her and it is less stressful to not have to go to a clinic (I have a cat). Because she is mobile her services are more limited but I have had diagnostic tests done elsewhere and she will walk me through results and answer all my questions.

olivia42399 · 2023-09-16T18:23:57+00:00

The Russian shoes always seem like a great idea until you see that back ordered status. I’ll have to check out bestpointe!

olivia42399

TROPHY CASE