In particular, I am looking at a 98 V70 xc. It looks nice, but has 150k on it. http://chicago.craigslist.o.../cto/1550470104.html

Anyone have personal experiences with this or any other volvo? I'm looking at reliability, parts availability, ride comfort, etc.

Thanks for your help and opinions guys.

The V70's are good cars.. however.. the AWD goes out on them. The carrier bearing ont he rear driveshaft fails. Due to design it is not economical to fix. o most folks take the back driveshaft off and leave the car as a FWD.

I have a 99 S70 T5. The coupe version of the V70 and turbocharged at that. It is a seriously FUN car. As for dependability.. It has been very much so. When I first got it, it was down for 3 weeks being repaired, and it cost me nearly 2k to get all straightened out. But since then it has been a dream. And I beat the snot out of it! Mine has 214k on it now.

What was it down for?

I have known a few people who swear by Volvos. I looked at a 97 GLT turbo sedan last fall as a potential winter car. Loved it, but the owner decided not to sell.

So instead, I bought a 2009 C30 T5. I love it, although I cannot really comment on long term reliability yet. After 4000 miles, it has been flawless, and is the best built and engineered car I have ever owned.

I LOVE the C30. If I had money to buy a new car that would definitely be what I get. But I'm a poor college student without a car, so I have to go cheap. There's an S80 I'm thinking of pursuing too....

I can only comment on the 1986 Volvo 740 GLE Wagon that I bought for my girlfriend a couple of years ago. It had a LOT of problems to sort out, but once done it ran like a charm and rode very nice. However...

The wiring in Volvos (the older ones anyway) is biodegradable. I'm not kidding.

quote Originally posted by 86fierofun: What was it down for?

Lousy mechanic.
Problem turned out to be an O2 Sensor. HE was trying to sell me a new ECU.
Check out www.swedespeed.com also www.turbobrick.com and www.matthewsvolvosite.com That last one is the BEST for a DIY mechanic.

I am about to spend around 3k on ours to freshen it up as the misses' daily driver. New front bushings, suspension, alignment. New rims and tires and a tune up. However I expect we will get at LEAST another 100k out of it after this.

[This message has been edited by 8Ball (edited 01-19-2010).]

Arent newer Volvos made by Ford now ???

Well they are owned by Ford (or were....) but they are still made in Europe.

They are good cars. If you want a bomb proof engine go with the older models with the b230f or ft engine.

The 98 V70 XC may (or may not) have the electronic throttle control, which is prone to failure (can't remember if it was 98 or 99 that they started with it). Volvo extended the warrantee to 10 years, but obviously, a 98 will not qualify. You may be looking at a non drive-by-wire, though. In any event, the things to watch mostly for are the 'bevel gear' unit, viscous coupling, and driveshaft. All of those are to do with the AWD system. The CV joints in the driveshaft fail, along with the center bearing. If the tires are let to wear unevenly, or are different front to back, it can destroy the bevel gear and/or the viscous coupling. The bevel gear housing is prone to leak, and if run dry, will destroy itself. Check the oil level during oil changes, and you should be OK. The transmissions aren't the greatest things, but for 98, it shouldn't be too big of a worry. Unless there's clear history indicating the timing belt has been done recently, have it done (or do it yourself).

I think that about covers the common expensive things....

Volvo quality took a nose-dive after Ford purchased them. It's really only been the last few years that quality has come back up. It's a shame, too, as I really like some of the stuff they put out. Myself, I have a 2000 V70 XC SE. Driveshaft CV joint went on it, so I pulled the shaft, giving only front-wheel drive. Gotta do the electronic throttle thing, too, as it's failing. I'll probably go with having it re-done by Xemodex, with a non-contact sensor, so it won't fail again...

The 98 does NOT have the ETC. That started in 99. I know I have one. On my second ETC, but it was done before I got the car.

quote Originally posted by 86fierofun: In particular, I am looking at a 98 V70 xc. It looks nice, but has 150k on it. http://chicago.craigslist.o.../cto/1550470104.html Anyone have personal experiences with this or any other volvo? I'm looking at reliability, parts availability, ride comfort, etc. Thanks for your help and opinions guys.

OH HEEELLL NO...Believe me I love my volvos we've got a 92 240, had an 85 240 with 360,000 mi on it, and have an 2006 v70 xc. But we USED to have a 98 xc just like that and it was a nightmare. Nothing ever worked right on it we had to replace the transmission on it within the first 100,000 mi. Then someone rear-ended it and we got our '06. But from personal experience I would stay the hell away from that car.

Thanks for the replies guys!

On a side note, check out this awesome "crown vic" http://chicago.craigslist.o.../ctd/1559724571.html

Yeah, now THAT is a nice "Crown Vic"

The new Noble 600 supercar uses a modified Volvo engine. It can't be all that bad.

Volvo - The official car of brooding vampires.

[This message has been edited by RACE (edited 01-20-2010).]

quote Originally posted by 86fierofun: Thanks for the replies guys! On a side note, check out this awesome "crown vic" http://chicago.craigslist.o.../ctd/1559724571.html

Well... for 1800 I would buy it and sell the rims/tires for 1500 then sell the motor for 500 tranny for 100 and sell the rest to the scrapper for 200 or so

I miss my old S80 and have begun hunting for a S80 turbo or 850 turbo. Fun cars and great on the open road.

What do you think.... worth it or no?

http://milwaukee.craigslist.../cto/1521615146.html

Most of the Volvo whiteblock engines are interference, you better keep on that timing belt and tensioner.

That's good to know. Thanks!