Hello,

I just purchased an 1998 S70. I've owned 3 240's 2 740 and 1 760 turbo. This is my first adventure in the the S series. Is there anything I should know right off about this model? It has 154,000 miles and was a one owner with regular service. So far no problems. I'm just trying to find out what I should keep an eye out for.

Thank you for any help,

Goldenv

In my humble estimation S70 is much more reliable car than 240 or 960, for that matter, ever were. There is a lot of mythology going on about how reliable 240s or 740s were, but the truth be known, they were no more reliable than your average car at that time. I owned a 240 for years, and I would take S70 every time over a 240. Look at old consumer reports, and you will see that 240s were O.K., but they had their own gremlins to deal with. Having owned many Volvos I can honestly say that they are getting better with each new platform. The only rule I have regarding buying Volvos is that I stay away from the first three years of production of a given model. Volvo has a tendency to improve on its own product. Enjoy your S70.

Ta-ta, j.

The "S" designation marks the end of reliable Volvo cars. They don't
make them like they used to anymore. 700 & 200 where the best. The newer
Volvos are no better than Fords and worse.

For the money, get a Lexus.

I found your response significant. I've had 240's (sold it about ten years ago with 250k on it and I still see it driving around town) and my present brick is a 940 with 350k. My son turns sixteen this year and I plan to turn it over to him. If I could buy another 940 right now I would do it in a heartbeat. Motor purrs and oil consumption has been unchanged for the entire life of the car.

I've looked at the reviews (and consumer reports, for what that's worth) and it looks like they like the s60, but nothing good to say on the s80. Problem is the s60 is too small for a traveling salesguy like me. I am thinking about a v70 wagon...and avoiding AWD like the plague.

The question is, am I going to get a couple hundred thousand out of a v70 or is it going to bleed me to death?

I am SERIOUSLY looking at two and three year old Lexus sedans. I never thought I would buy Japanese.....but I feel like I have no option.

goldenv,

Great car. It's essentially the final version of the 850--a revolutionary car in its day.

Make sure the timing belt (every 70K miles) & hydraulic tensioner, if fitted, have been replaced.

Have fun!

Bryan

My 1998 S70 has been a high maintenance car comparable to my old Triumph TR-6. I have replaced about every part in the suspension and it is making noise; there were a lot of electrical problems initially but most of these have been resolved. I like a lot of the features, looks, and performance but I would probably not buy another Volvo.
--
1998 Volvo S70

It is a very good car if it was maintained properly by the first owner. All the normal cautions apply:
1. Transmission: change the fluid and replace it with the right stuff!! I hope your car is manual trans. because the automatics seem to have a finite and short life.
2. The belts and hoses probably need changing.
3. If it is AWD, watch out for mis-matched tires.
Enjoy.

Even if maintained, these parts normally fail after 50k miles:

ABS computer, Throttle body, Upholstery becomes unglued, Electric door switches,

Electrical engine wiring insulation starts to fall apart.

And these are just the common failures.

I've had four 240's and two 360's (These werent released in US and were not a particularly good car anyway).

I kept the last 240 and have had a 98 manual non turbo S70 for two years. I'm very happy with the S70 and the creature comforts, fuel economy, enhanced safety features are streets ahead of the 240s. It was good advice to keep timing belt replaced at service intervals (mine has 120K miles)but not much else has needed doing over usual servicing requirements.

I know of a 97 S70 with 300K miles and still going stron on original engine. Also good advice about only buying models towards the end of their run. 240s were perfect example. My first was a 76. Chalk and cheese between this model and early 90's models.

Ride is a little harsher than i would like but i can put up with that given all the positives.

I bought our '98 S70 back in 04 for my then 16 year old son. Now my #2 son is driving the daylights out of it. It has been GREAT. It averages about $1000/year for repairs and maint. at the dealer (who seems to be pretty honest). The car now has 120,000 and runs very nicely. The leather is still good as is the paint and trim. We were so impressed that my wife went out and bought a new S80 2 years ago! Trouble free - no, worth the trouble- yes!

Worth the trouble, indeed!

Volvos are not Toyotas, but they drive better, are more comfortable, and more interesting. I would not recommend them to everyone (I like to keep my friends), but if you like cars, take good care of them, keep them a long time, drive a lot, are not afraid of large repair bills now and then, and can do some of your own work, Volvos are excellent value.

I think the advice not to buy from the first three years of a new platform is very good. I know someone who had no end of problems with a new 1978 240. Early S60s like mine could be troublesome too, although mine's been pretty good.

Another bit of advice - for some reason, Volvo's top of the line cars have always been more troublesome than the lesser models. The 760s, 960s, and S80s all bear this out. Don't understand why, it just is.