In Sweden (the Volvo homeland, winter roads with salt etc) the V70 was until the model change in '16 the most sold car and Volvo.
I learnt to drive in PV Duett and was responsible for maintaining it. Have after dabbling away with Fiat, BMW etc stuck with Volvo. 244 GLE, 245 GLT, 745 GLT 16valve, 945 Turbo plus (wow!), a 2004 V70 d5 diesel turbo (currently at 320 k km, approx 200 k mi). Wife has '11 V70 FT (wow! 231hp) FT in this case means a ethanol/gasoline enabled turbo.

My experience is that the comfort and drive has improved all through the years. For comfort, I would not go back to the 900 or 850 series. Wife had a 1999 V70 GLT 170 hp, was a big step in comfort and driveability. Only problem was electronic throttle, expensive offer, got one with yellow label from second hand, problem solved.

I would say a 2004 or later V70 with good tires and appropriately adjusted wheel angle settings is a real good buy, IMHO.

Then we come to the necessary bit. No car can be driven without maintenance. You need to take out the brake pads every 2-3 years if you live in places where salt and sand is used in winter. Clean out calipers + put in new pads. You must replace timing belts at least within 150% of the specs. You need to replace water pump in the red blocks when it gets noisy, you can learn how to from youtube or from someone whosdunnit. Easy once you know. Calipers is easy even in the V70s,just see to that you have a 7mm hex before you start.

Because these cars last 2-3 times longer than others we get the feeling that there is more service/repairs needed, but in fact it is the other way around, it is just a time impression effect.