My daughter thinks that a nearby S70 might be a good deal. But my experience is limited to only the 700/900 series cars. Here is a link to the car in question:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/669139942/overview/

What do you think? I am a bit suspicious of the small oil leak due to "a loose oil filter." If I found that on one of my 700 or 900 series cars, I'd just reach in and tighten it up a bit. Is the price reasonable? Is there anything specific that I should look for, or at in this, or these, cars?

Is there any general advice that you may have about buying the S70 cars?

Do you think it a valid idea that I'd really rather she stuck to a 700/900 series car, because I know them pretty well, and think that they are less trouble prone and maybe even better designed or made?
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1955 Human, Scott; 1991 745 Turbo, Thunderbolt; 1994 940, Straxx

Hi N7SC - You got some advice from us, any chance of the outcome from you?

They are good cars but find a better maintained one for your daughter. Better off spending more upfront for a good one. You should be able to find a good one with fewer miles for not a lot more money. 98's are the best year. Simplest - no ETM, no VVT, no coilovers and the bulletproof 4 speed auto tranny or 5 speed manual.

I agree with Herb. I owned a 240 for 11 years and would not go back to the RWD cars. I am on my second 850 (essentially the same car as the S70/early V70). My experience is that the 240 had more problems than the 850's but the FWD cars are usually more expensive to repair. On the positive side, the FWD cars are safer, perform better and are more comfortable than the RWD cars.

The most likely problem with oil leaking is a cracked plastic filter holder (if that is where the leak actually is). If it is a turbo, it will have the more reliable 4spd transmission. Non-turbos have the first year of the less-reliable 5 spd auto. As Klaus mentioned, the original electronic throttle module has about a 100% failure rate. This can be fixed permanently for about $500 with a rebuilt ETM module from Xemodex. The Volvo yellow label will fail again eventually. The timing belt is worth checking too, as it is also a $500 job, and these cars have interference engines unlike the RWD B230 cars. The evaporators tend to leak (especially if the cabin filter service is ignored)-- often you can keep the system working by adding a can or two of r134a per summer season. The car should be checked for PCV system blockages (another $500 service-- it is a complicated system-- if ignored it can blow out the rear main and cam seals).

If you are interested in this car, have a Volvo indy look it over (mention all the stuff we have posted here).

Personally, I have had 200 series, 700 series, 900 series and FWD Volvos, and at this point I won't go back to the RWD cars-- the FWD are a breed apart!

Good luck!

I wouldn't buy it for my daughter. It needs at least $1,000 to make it reliable. It is parked outside judging from the leaves in the trunk drain, I would hate to see what the cabin air filter looks like.

It is better than the RWD cars, and not hard to maintain. ETM should be a yellow labeled version which will last. There needs to be a timing belt change sticker on the computer case, passenger side, every 70K miles.

It has VVT and individual coils over each spark plug. You didn't mention if was turbo or not. The NA is much easier to maintain.

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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Well I don't really like the photo presentation. Looks like he didn't detail it prior to putting it up for sale. The items listed are easy fixes and were not corrected. Both indicate a person who doesn't care about the car. It's had at least two owners. Look at service records. If none walk away. The regular items at that mileage to be concerned about are the AC evaporator, t-belt/water pump, trans flushed regular and the electronic throttle(that was a recall item I think). Doesn't really seem that great. You may have answered your own question by asking opinions. My daughter car? I pass.