V70 Wagon Opinion.

I'm going to look at a 1999 Volvo V70 Wagon after work. It has just over 100K miles on it, leather, etc.

I'm interested to hear everyone's opinion of the car and wanting to know what I should look for.

The car would be the wife's DD.

Obviously look for leaks, strange tire wear, fluid conditions, etc.

I suggest bringing a jack and a 3' prybar, Jack the car up from the body lifting point leaving the tire about 3" off the ground. Use the pry bar to lift the tire (place it on the ground and lift) from the center of the outside of the wheel. Look/feel for ball joint or suspension bushing travel. Shake the front suspension back and forth with the tire to check tie rod ends. After the car is back on the cround have someone slowly move the car forward/backward hitting the brakes, look for unnatural movement in the wheel house (This test is amazing on Ford Contours)

We have a '96 wagon, which is the same platform. About 107K on ours. The known issues are well documented, mostly easy to fix and inexpensive - except one.

I've had them all - shift microswitch, ignition switch, headlight switch, swaybar links, odometer gear, hatch struts, None cost me much more than $50 and an hour of time. All of those should be self evident when you look at the car.

The ABS module goes south - I've heard rumors of a recall but only after I spent $300 on a new one.

The big dollar fatal flaw is the AC evap core, which is a $1500-2000 repair and not a DIY weekend project. Mine needs one, and I'm just living without AC. For the little I drive it, no big deal.

Rugged and useful cars, mine gets low 20's around town and 27+ mpg on the interstate. It has never stranded us, it is relatively easy to work on (except that evap core), lots of online support, reasonable parts prices (FCP Groton is your friend here).

We've owned it for almost 8 years and been happy enough with it that we bought a new XC70 six months ago.

Pretty good cars. The turbo variants are decently quick for big cars. The DSTC system (vs the standard traction control) is highly regarded and a commonly installed option - if this example doesn't have it, knock some money off the price. Also, the sport seats are way more comfortable than the standard seats (standard aren't bad, just lack lateral support).

I have an '02. It's bigger and heavier, but IIRC, it's the same basic drivetrain. Closing in on 100k with no major issues. A few pieces of broken interior trim, some of which were covered by warranty. Front tires wear quickly - rotate frequently and expect to change them regularly. And light bulbs burn out at an amazing rate.

Some years had issues with the electronics in the throttle body (I think it was the TB). It's a fairly expensive repair (parts cost for a new TB), so do some googling and plan accordingly.

Like most European cars, maintenance and repairs get pricey if you have to pay a specialist. But, if you can do the basics yourself, they are nice cars that offer a bit more luxury than similar year/mileage Accords/Camrys.

swedespeed.com has a forum with some decent sticky threads that detail the engine options. You should be able to find decent repair/maintenance info there as well.

bludroptop wrote: The big dollar fatal flaw is the AC evap core, which is a $1500-2000 repair and not a DIY weekend project.

Is there any way to know if it's about to go? I talked to the guy on the phone last night and he said the AC works. So, it's not bad now.

I've been thinking of a Volvo wagon also but I can't find any with a manual trans.

jwdmotorsports wrote:

bludroptop wrote: The big dollar fatal flaw is the AC evap core, which is a $1500-2000 repair and not a DIY weekend project.

Is there any way to know if it's about to go? I talked to the guy on the phone last night and he said the AC works. So, it's not bad now.

Nope. The factory finally started to install a pollen air filter to keep the debris out of the evap core. It seems to help.

jwdmotorsports wrote: Is there any way to know if it's about to go? I talked to the guy on the phone last night and he said the AC works. So, it's not bad now.

If I charge my system, it will hold pressure and blow cold for a couple of days before it stops working. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any way to test or visually check condition.

The good news is that the bottom has fallen out of the market for these cars. It may well be that you can get the car for a low enough price to take the chance.

What would you consider a good price for a 99 right now?

jwdmotorsports wrote: What would you consider a good price for a 99 right now?

Somewhere in the neighborhood of $4K, in good condition with decent option package, would be about what they would go for around here. $3500 would be a great deal - $4500 for a really exceptional car.

My '96 may (emphasis on 'may') make somebody here a happy camper later this summer in the $2008 classifieds.

Went and looked at it. Not the one I'm going to buy.

It didn't have a power driver seat. Does the power seat version go up and down. The non-power seat sat too low for my 5' 3" wife.

Power seat goes up and down. The non-power seat should also go up and down, there is a lever under the seat at the front and rear to raise the seat.

It didn't raise far enough.

850 Wagon is a great car. My brother's 96 Turbo has over 200k. They never made the turbo with a manual in the US though. You can find them in Canada.

No further comment.

Zombie thread, but I have to add in. I got my '96 GLT wagon a few months ago, and couldn't be happier with it. It's a bit slow, especially since it's an autotragic, but I love it as a DD. 25mpg, handles nicely, is very comfortable. Hauls all kinds of crap.

A/C isn't working well. Common problem for these cars. Can be a very, very expensive fix. I'm going to try the $30 Autozone recharge trick.

I hate it when you guys hotlink cool E36 M3 like that.

I had a '98 V70 T5. It was quick, but it was a bit piggish so I sold it.

I'm on the cusp of buying a XC70 T6. Test drove one, for a big arsed Volvo wagon, it hauled pretty fast.

I got a '98 V70 T5 for the wife a few years ago. She loves it and it makes a great road trip car. I couldn't convince my insurance agent that it wasn't a performance model. "yeah its got a turbo but its a Volvo! Station wagon! Those aren't fast!"

jwdmotorsports wrote: It didn't raise far enough.

Either your wife is very very short, you didn't move the seat up all the way, or its broken.

If you can find one of these beauties, they are amazingly fast and sporty, but rare in the U.S.

850R Wagon FTW!

http://velocityresource.com/Volvo850RWagon.aspx