I'm currently in the market for a used S70 (probably a GLT) and have narrowed it down to 1998 or 1999. I would appreciate any feedback on problems specific to either of these model years, and any general opinions as to which year, if any, is a better choice.

We have the 1999 base model.

As Ram said, you can reset your own service light on the 1999.

On the other hand, if the "check engine" light goes on (like if you don't tighten the gas cap properly) the 1999 model needs to be hooked to a computer so it can talk to the Volvo HQ for a half-hour (or so the service dude told me) but the 1998 can be reset in 5 min. with a little hand thingy at the Volvo shop.

1998 base model makes 168hp, but the 1999 base model only makes 162hp to meet LEV standards. I understand that went back up in 2000, and I don't think the turbo models were affected.

--Nick

Well I just bought a 1998 glt and I love the car I looked at 99's but could not see paying that much more for a few little upgrades and more ford parts:). I am used to the little thing that make volvo a volvo it gives the cars character. just my 2cents.

todd b

FYI... I know you must have been kidding, but Ford has never made a single part for any Volvo to date and likely never will, but it sure made your e-m convincing.

NT

John,

I've got a '98 S70 GLT and it's been almost trouble-free. It has 46+ Kmi on the clock now, of which 19 Kmi are mine.

Bought it used. Had to take it to the dealer 4 times to rid it of some "imperfections" in the following 2 weeks, including the notorious "skip and dip" bug and driver's seat's rails (all fixed under warranty). The car has been virtually perfect since - last time it was in the shop in Jan '00, nothing major.

Right now the driver's glass auto-down feature is playing up and the left side of the SC-816 radio is not lit, fow which it will see the shop soon - but that's it (not counting scheduled 5,000mi oil changes). No drivetrain problems of any kind. The car has been driven hard from day 1. Good gas mileage (19-25, depending on trip length/conditions). 1 headlignt bulb and 1 stop light bulb have burnt down since June'99.

Hope these stats help,

Vadim.

If so, you can reset the service reminder light yourself on the '99 but not on the '98.

This may not be important to you, but no one else had mentioned it yet....

I'd go with the 99; I see very few genuine (meaning major) complaints and the forum proves it.

IMHO, '99 is better because it's the second year of that body style and alot of it's first year problems were improved upon, like door latches, TS bulb/socket combos (common '98 problem until replaced) and in '99, all bulbs had a 4/50K mile warranty compared to 1/12K mile in '98 (minor maybe to some?).

I see fewer '99s with lists than '98s.

In my opinion the 98 is the better car. 99's have been haveing a lot of problems with engine wiring harnesses and o2 sensors.