Looking for some help---I have 3 240s and 2 850s, and know nothing about S70s.

On a lark, stopped by to look at a 99 S70 T-5 with a for sale sign on it. Haven't driven it yet, but outside of a couple door dings, the body is perfect. Interior looks clean as well. So I called on it, and it has 180,000 miles, and owner says "pretty up-to-date" on maintenance. Further questioning ensued, and she says the engine light is on, and brakes need to be done. She said she bought a newer Volvo, and just decided to sell this one instead of putting more money into it. She bought the other car from a friend, no dealer, otherwise she said she would have just traded it in. She's asking $2100, but said she is flexible.

So, I think I'd like to drive it and see what I think. I have a mechanic who does some work that I find over my head on the older Volvos, and I can run it by him to check out the brakes and engine light issues.

My question to you all is, what else should I look out for in this model year? Any problems with turbos endemic to these cars? Anything else you care to share that can help with a decision on this? Is the price fair if the engine light is a minor fix and brakes all around need to be done?

Thanks in advance.

If you have 2 850s, then you ARE familiar with the front wheel drive characteristics and maintenance issues. You shouldn't have any trouble at all with the S70. Let us know if you buy it.

Went to drive the car. Not going to buy it. Check engine light was on, as expected. Also ABS light was on. During the first five miles, the coolant light came on, the A/C stopped working, the speedometer quit, and the odometer and trip odometer went to a row of dashes. Turned around to head back, and the dreaded OD arrow came on, flashing. I assume this is a "limp home" mode, as the car felt like it was in third gear from a stop. On the way back, the odometer and trip odometer came back on, and shortly thereafter the speedo needle worked again, only to stop again.

Perhaps there is just one or two electrical/sensor issues that are all interrelated and causing the dash to light up like a Christmas tree, but it's not worth the risk to me. I did see the service records, and it's been in the dealer twice for the check engine light. Bummer.

I must say, though, that the car drove very nicely and the turbo has some get up and go. If the speedometer and the A/C worked, a 4 inch piece of electrical tape covering all the dash lights, and you'd be feeling like you were in a car with 20,000 miles :->.

Thanks for your help, everyone, and I'll be back if I see another one to ask about.

Most of the fixes are "cheap" if you know what the codes are. Evap problems are usually broken vacuum elbows or gas cap seal. If it is misfiring, it is probably a $45 coil.

Check the belts. They were supposed to be changed at 105K miles, so are probably good. "regular maintenance" usually means oil changes and not much more. Check the tranny fluid for color. Red is good, black is don't buy the car.

If you buy this car, expect to do the following:
Change all of the fluids.
Replace all of the vacuum lines.
Replace the oil separator and its lines.
New plugs, get the injectors professionally cleaned.

If there is oil in the intercooler, you might be looking at a rebuilt turbo. Then, there is also the option to get a better turbo :)

180K miles is the time to inspect the water pump for leaks.

$2K for this car is a good price if there is history. Or, you could buy my 1998 R for 6600? It only has 155K miles :)

Klaus
--
I still miss my 164 and my 854T. Just driving a V70R :)

Around here (Knoxville TN) that price is too good to be true. I'd be suspicious and ask to see the service records. Also run a carfax. Does it have a salvage title? Of course, check out the CEL code. How long has she owned it?

Check for a rear main seal oil leak. Is the air cold? Records of timing belt changes? Is the exhaust smoking?

After 98, you've got ETM which was problematic in early versions but the warranties have been extended. Search the board for details.

This is either a great deal or a dog. You'll have to figure that out. I once got a great deal on a one owner 00 V70 with a dent in the rear quarter panel but otherwise in mint condition. The guy had just bought a P2 V70 from the dealer and I'm sure they gave him a very low trade value because of the dent.

Locally at a used car dealer there is a 98 T5 with 199K for asking price of $4500 and a 2000 S70 T5 with 135K for list of $5995. There is another used car dealer with a 96 850 Turbo (222HP vs 236 for the T5) with 140K for $4900 (maybe less the guy says - ha ha).

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out for you.

Calvin

98 S70 173K
00 V70 99K

I sold a '95 T-5 with 180,000 miles that needed nothing. The inside was in excellent condition and the outside had a few fairly minor cosmetic issues. I got $2800 for it, and wish I had kept it.

I know my local Indy mechanic/seller just sold a '98 T-5 with 165,000 miles for $5000 to someone. The outside was excellent, the inside average, and I assume was in good mechanical condition.

Did the '99 have the ETM issue? The one where the part was engineered poorly, there is a software fix that filters the signal and evidently masks the problem completely. I think it is warrantied up to 200,000 miles or 10 years, but others can verify the details and if it applies to your car.

I think you are also in the ABS module zone - can be fixed by V Rocha for $1xx.

Good luck. It sounds like a decent deal if you find the engine codes aren't a big deal.

Don

'98 S70 T5 56.5K