Hi folks,

I'm looking for a near luxury wagon for my wife and kids, and volvo is near the top of the list along with the MB e320 and the audi wagons, subaru coming up in the rear because they are hard to find with luxury appointments.

When considering late model year v70/90 volvo wagons, which do you think are the best, and why? Should I shoot for a RWD late 90's v90? or go with a FWD v70? If I go with the v70, then do I go with the post 850 98-2000 version or the 2001 new generation? I have no need for the traction control or the mechanical complexity of the XC.

I want to spend less than 14k and all of my choices fit in there, even though the MB is a little stretch.

I live in atlanta, and we've got alot to choose from, making scarcity less of a factor in my decision.

Should I just bag the volvo and go for the gold on an e320 or get some japanese steel for the reliability factor? Audis kinda scare me, I know too many folks with VW electronic issues, but they sure are sporty.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I vote for the 1998 V70. If you want a little more "get up and go", look for a T5 or a GLT. I'd avoid the "R" model, or AWD, as you won't need it.

I consider '98, instead of 99 or 00, only because of the ETM issues associated with those two latter years. An ETM needs to be rock solid, in order to provide a safe vehicle, and I just cannot recommend those years, because of the issues that have cropped up. Also, if you do go with the P2 (2001 and after), avoid the 2001 year as well, for the same reason as indicated prior.

No suprise, I drive a 98 V70, it has 124k miles, and is in great shape, and I have never been let down by this car, even in the "wicked" weather we have here in Maine.

I drive it 65 miles (one way) to work each day, and the only thing that would make me give it up would be if we had a "Marta" where I live.

Good luck in your hunt.


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1998 V 70 BASE

You have to make a fundamental decision: if you want manual transmission, your only choice will be one of the Volvos or an Audi or a Passat wagon. The Volvo V90 and the Mercedes were only sold as automatic in the USA. You may be able to find a man. trans BMW 525 Touring (wagon) if you look hard. This would be the previous generation 5-body, the E39. The 6 cylinder version is MUCH more dependable than the V8. Good luck.

We are in Atlanta also. We have a non-turbo 1999 v70 and with the exception of the ETM failure, it's been a great car. You can find an independent mechanic to do much of the maintenance if you are not a DIYer and it's not nearly as expensive as the dealership.

Based on what i've read on this board, I would avoid the all-wheel drive models. The turbos are fun, but it's something else to go wrong. The v70 is a great riding car, especially on long trips and it gets good mileage too. Just look at the service records and, if possible, find one that has already had the ETM replaced. You would, of course, want to have a mechanic check it out.

If you want to be happy for less than $14k, buy a used Honda Odyssey minivan. Try one, they're a lot better than you think!

(That's from an economic perspective, and I'm presuming economics are important because you set a $14k upper limit... yeah, the Volvo, Mercedes, Audi and BMW wagons are a lot more fun to drive and impress the neighbors more, but geez, my Volvo dealer's hourly labor charge is more than my dentist! At least you can get Hondas and Toyotas fixed without breaking the bank! We have 3 Honda products at the moment and they go back to the dealer about once in a blue moon. If the "sky's the limit", and cost is no object, I'd suggest the Mercedes E55 AMG wagon! BTW the evaporator failure on a MB E320 costs almost exactly double the price on a Volvo.)

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 166k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

Watch out for failing automatic transmission on the Odyssey minivans.

Here's my two cents:
Avoid the 1998 V70. There were a lot of quality problems, especially on the earlier ones. (Also, the 1998 came out in March 1997, so you might end up paying 1998 prices for a 1997 car.) If you buy a 1999-2000 V70, be prepared for the electronic throttle module to fail. (Volvo is going to extend the warranty on this to 10 years / 200,000 miles). I have a 1999 V70 T5, and I like the car, but it is definitely not DIY friendly. (I still do almost all work on it myself, but it is much harder to get information on Volvos than on many other cars.)
The 850 seems like it was a better car, except for the air conditioner evaporator failures (and the styling).
I think your best bet, in a Volvo, is a 1998 V90.

As for BMW / Mercedes, the quality of German cars has been declining lately. I'd avoid them. (Latest surveys show that, for 2005, American cars are actually better quality than European cars.)

If you want reliability, get a Japanese car, but I don't know what kind of wagon you can get from them. Nothing that is exported to the US, in that price range, unless you want an SUV or minivan. Lots of interesting Japanese station wagons on the Japanese domestic market, though.

I'm in Atlanta, too. There are certainly a lot of V70s out there. You definitely want the later generation if you are concerned about luxury. But for the money, it's hard to beat the 96-98 960/V90. I have a 98 and am supremely impressed with it. I have had it for a year with only minor problems related to spotty maintenance by the previous owner. I picked it up at a dealer in Gwinnett for less than 13k. The only option I do not have is the heated seats. I had them in my 93 960 (pig of a car, & a lemon, too-avoid the 92-95 960) and I miss them this time of year. It is the smoothest riding car I have ever been in, and it handles very well with excellent grip. My dad had two E-class Mercs and I prefer this car to both of them. They were both sedans, but it's a fair comparison. I could use more grunt from the inline six, but it is a very smooth running engine and the power is adequate. The car has a very tight turning circle. It's a big wagon, but you can turn around in two lanes of road. This makes it very easy to park. Where it really excels is highway cruising. My musician colleagues and I carpool to Chattanooga with it and it is very comfortable in the back. Plus you can't beat the safety.

Volvo makes the best wagon. Period.
The 1998 V70 T5 without those dumb rear seats is a good buy. The AC service history is a must because of evaporator leaks. A new one is about $1200 installed and it is hard to know if the AC is good because it is easy to just add a can of r134a, which will last for about 2 weeks.
Compare prices on final ebay bids and KBB.com 'dealer-trade-in' prices in Atlanta.

Klaus
PS. Do not get "sport suspension" if you want a cushy ride.
--
(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

If you are a DIYer I would get the Mercedes but don't spend anywhere close to $14k - that would be for a more recent 210 chassis. Get a 124 chassis - pre 1996. Should cost about $7k or $8k for a good one. Put a thousand or two in parts, get a manual, you'll have a blast, it'll be bulletproof for a decade. If you're not a DIYer, forgetaboutit. You don't want the later 210 chassis Mercedes - all kinds of problems, rust, spring perch failures, troubled 5 speed electronic transmission, nothing but problems. Stay away from all Mercedes in the last ten years or so. I'd agree with the 03+ non-turbo V70 but don't think you can get one for under $14k.

basic, na engine v70 MY2003- and on

I own both a 89 740 and a 98 V70 GLT, the GLT is a blast to drive and very fast. It depends on your driving habits, if you like a kick in the pants then the turbo is for you. However if you're looking for less maintenance and longevity I would go with the non-turbo. But with proper maintenance both will last a very long time. I you would like a real kick in the pants, try the T5.