Scheduling viewing of a couple of V70s. Both have under 70,000 miles.

I've read reviews and engine comparisons but value opinions here.

'06 V70 w/ 2.5T or '08 w/ 3.2 NA?

Interiors? Room? How do they compare and also compare to my old 855T?

I'm a DIY owner so that should be considered also.

I enjoy the 855Ts engine and ripping around in it, but this will be my wife's car. She's commutes and hauls kids around. Totally not concerned with sporting characteristics. We'll use it as a travel car as well.

Thanks,

Erwin

We have '08 and a '12 XC70s. Here in Massachusetts, I do not see any V70s to speak of and I think that '11 might have been the last year of them in the US.

The '08 is fully equipped and the '12 is a FWD BASE, BASE model - no options whatsoever.

We bought the '12 first and then found a used '08 because we like the other car so much.

We like the taller stature of the XC generation that began in '08.

When we bought the '12 new, I measured it, a 12 XC60 and our '96 855R - i was surprised to find that all three were almost the same size in the rear. Naturally the XC60 is a bit smaller. The XC70 seems to have a bit less leg room in the rear than our three 850s had. My wife and I are tall.

We drive the '08 around town and use the '12 mostly for trips.

Both cars seem to have plenty of power and we get 23 MPG over all with the '08 and 26 with the '12 - we both drive conservatively and have always got decent MPG with any cars that we drove.

The '12 is still under warranty, and we have not had any repairs with the '08 - It had new tires, brakes, and a new vacuum pump was put in by the Lincoln dealer that sold the car to us - we have had the '08 for 27 months and 20K miles.

We love both cars. (I DO miss the 855R that I drove for 11 years!)

James,

Good summary, thanks. My only concern is with rear seat leg room in the '08 V70. I hope it's better than the '95 855T. We're a family of four and all 6' tall. At least the kids (teens) are skinny!

Just don't want to go SUV as the kids will be gone in just 3 years. We'll be checking out the V70 tomorrow.

I love my 855T's engine and have replaced all of the suspension, belts idlers, sunroof, headliner, fuel pump, etc, etc, etc,. It's even on its original evaporator. The cons? dashboard has broken loose across the top, all the plastic in the interior squeaks & rattles constantly, glovebox is now hinging on the vinyl, seats are shot, transmission leaks 2 quarts a week, paint is about gone. I've seen better looking in the U-pull-it yard but it still surprises the heck out of sports couple drivers at stoplights or when passing.


Cheers,

Erwin

I would expect the gas mileage on the 2.5t to be 10 to 15% better than the 3.2. Had an 04 xc70 with 2.5t. Worked fine, no problems. Timing belt due on 06. 120K or 10 yrs. Don't know on 3.2.

Thanks. I've downloaded the owners manual for the '08 w/ 3.2l. Will check T-belt service interval there.


Erwin

5 cyl have a timing belt, 6 cyl do not. The 120K or 10 years is the same for the system belt. 2006 and 2007 are the same.

Note, the PCV system is at 120K for the 5 cyl. And there is an auto trans flush at 52K for all cars...
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Keeping it running is better than buying new