We own a 99 V70 XC...our first Volvo, have had it for 17 months, and have put $5800 in maintenance so far (some of this is for regular stuff like tires, oil changes etc)...but we've had our fair share of check engine lights, computer failures, oil leaks, engine mounts, power window switches failing, creaking power-front seats, vibrations, etc...we've pretty much had it...the costs are bad, but it's also the time and aggravation of REPEATED trips to the repair shop.

I've never had such a love/hate relationship with a car in my life...this is the nicest car I've ever owned (though clearly not the best handling), but also, by FAR, the most troublesome.

Anyway, I'm wondering if the 2001+ has faired any better?

Or, even if it has faired the same, is it a much more satisfying car to drive (handling, comfort, quietness, safety, power) than the 2000 and earlier that would make it worth "upgrading" from our '99?

Or should I just bail out and buy (oh no) a new Subaru AWD wagon? Or a Mercedes 4-Matic wagon (used)? Or a BMW 5-Series Wagon (used)? Or a VW Passat 4-Motion Wagon? Or an Audi A6 Wagon?

Thanks...

Bail out while you can. Had a 2001 V70 T5 and got sick of worring about "what next?". Just a lousy feeling to have. Got into a used 540i wagon and have not looked back.

No problems. Vault solid. Fast as all hell. It's a driver's car and has all the safety and almost all the convenience of the Volvo. Lost a few $ on the trade in and the BMW was not cheap....but well worth every penny.

I would love to own a Volvo. The idea is great. The reality sucks.

Not discounting what I said earlier in this thread of messages about my love for Volvos (in spite of problems), the Saab 9-5 option is well worth considering. My inlaws just bought a 2000 wagon and it matches the V70 for "feel." One of the reasons I did not get a Saab 9-5 wagon when we got our V70 was that there are about 8 Volvo dealers in Dallas/Fort Worth and only 2 Saab dealers. Nothing wrong with having one Saab and one Volvo. Two of the best cars made!

We're about to buy a new (2004) V70 for European delivery. sounds like great fun.

But why do you not consider a Saab? the wagon is bigger inside than any mentioned, the 9-5 is rated by the Swedish Auto ins corp as the safest car in Sweden, and if you get the Aero, it goes like stink. Consumer Reports rate it as a "Best Buy." The base price is a bit higher than some but almost everything is included & the Saab dealers typically knock off $3-5K.

A Saab is a good thought...the used ones seem to be a particularly good value...I guess the only down side is the loss of AWD, and they aren't Jap (best reliability).

I'm going car shopping today...I'll go drive a Saab.

Bill, I've waited until I had the final warrantee kiss off. That happened yesterday. My car is an 01 V70, na five speed. A stripped car without power seats, automatic climate control or GPS. My biggest complaint is that I can still get lost. Honestly and all kidding aside, I love the car. This is my fourth Volvo, but so different from the first three that it might as well be some other make. I have just passed 50,000 miles and have spent way less than you. No check engine lights, no codes. I had the clutch master cylinder and the front sway bar end links replaced while the car was on warrantee, and so have bought only filters, spark plugs and oil. Don't know if my experience is typical, but, did I say I love this car?

Yikes! $5,800 in 17 months for repairs/maintenance is ridiculous! I can't believe that you would still be interested in another Volvo. I love my Volvo too but I would probably have given up by now. The first thing you may want to do is to shop around for a more reasonable repair solution. It would appear that the new ones are a less troublesome but that could be that they have not been out for that long (less than three years). I have driven the new ones several times and they do ride plusher and feel a little more solid than the previous generation. Should you upgrade? That depends on a lot of factors, such as what can you get for the old one and how much the new one will cost. My wife drives an '02 Odyssey LX, that for the mid-twenties is unbeatable IMHO- 5 sp automatic, 240 hp, enough room to fit a soccer team. I have a S70 T5A that I do most of the work to myself. I could not afford to maintain two Volvos. Good luck in your decision.

Well thanks guys, this information, while conflicting from time to time , is much appreciated.

Sounds like (nothing surprising here):

1) The Japs can't be beat for low cost of ownership.
2) The "feel" of a Volvo is addictive, especially perhaps in interior refinement.
3) The BMW's are very desirable, but alas, mostly RWD, and might cost as much to own as a Volvo. Audis and Mercedes are no better, and the Passat can be problematic.
4) There's more than just me out there with a serious love/hate relationship with our Volvo's.

One item I didn't get much feedback on is:

Is it worth upgrading to a 2001+? I mean, if I'm going to be paying a lot for maintenance, should I might as well have a 2001+ for an overall better ownership experience (the 2001+ being bigger, safer, and handling better)?

I guess I should just go drive one.

Or should I try to find a nice 1997 or earlier Volvo for better reliability? I know I'd loose the AWD, but FWD is pretty much all I need.

There's also the Lexus RX300 and Acura MDX...not wagons, but not big SUV's either.

Again, much thanks.

We currently own a 1999 V70 GLT FWD. We previously owned a 1995 850 GLT. In the past (since 1990)we have owned a Honda Accord, a Subaru legacy, a VW Passat (both a wagon and a sedan). My inlaws own a Mercedes, and a friend at work owns an Audi. This is to set the stage.

We have had a number of the typical Volvo problems various people have written about, but neither Volvo has ever left us stranded. One of the Passats and the Subaru have left us stranded, as have the Mercedes and Audi for the others.

In my opinion the only one that matches the Volvo for interior "feel" is the Audi. All others feel cheaper, even the Mercedes. The Honda and the Subaru did much better than any of the others for reliability. The Accord NEVER had a problem of ANY kind in the four years we owned it. Wish I still had it today, as a second car. The Passats, Mercedes amd Audi were all atleast as bad with reliability as the Volvo, and I think cost more in general than the Volvo to deal with.

That said, the best car I have ever driven is either the Volvo, Mercedes or a BMW 5 series. From what I have read and with my exoeriences with Volvos (including my buddy who owns pre 1992 Volvos) the 1999 "feels" the best. Of course the pre-1992s are much more reliable.

I will probably always own a Volvo. Dispite the problems, I think it is fantastic. The only car I think is better is the 5-series BMW (though reliability is about the same), but it is rear wheel drive. I have the same love/hate, but would have it no other way.

Sorry to break the news here BUT IMHO, none of todays newer Volvos are doing better than your '98-'00 Volvos when I compare them to what I now call "the good ol' days" of Volvos (definately PRE-'98). Some problems with '98-'00 are gone sure BUT the newer cars have NEW problems, non are "trouble-free" if that's what you want. The best, most reliable and least troublefree era of Volvos was probably with their RWDs BEFORE the 960 but excluding fiascos like the older V6s and diesels (my opinion of coarse).

All of todays Volvos have become far more electrically complex than necessary for ANY car and thus prone to problems. The newer Volvos now get software related problems as well so unless you live close to a Volvo dealership and don't mind needing to visit them periodically, don't buy a newer Volvo.

This is my first post, but I have been reading the forum for quite a while.
Get out of the Volvo and try a SAAB if you want that europen feel and a Honda if you do not want to stranded or have any problems. I bought an new '87 Acura Integra when I went to college and sold it in 1998 with 147K miles and only replaced two CV boots, that's it. I bought my wife a 1998 V70 Turbo R AWD when we had our first daughter. I really went all out and bought the "Ultimate Wagon" for her thinking I would drive it until 200K. It stranded her twice before 30K and once being on an offramp in the middle of a cold Chicago winter. The computer decided it did not like the cold. I sold it the next weekend and bought her a Subaru Limited Wagon. The Subaru is running strong with 65K and the only problem was a rear seat belt jammed. It is not even close to the performance of the Turbo R, but I trust it with my wife and two daughters now. The way I see it is Volvo reliability reputation is from the Rear wheel drive 240's that had no computers, or electronics and most had no PW, PDL and were four speed manuals. THEY drove 200K+, not the new ones. The new ones will run 200K but you have to spend $10K+ on sensors, computers, relays, switches, etc.
Go buy an Acura MDX.

I have 1998 V70 GLT and for the 3 years I've owned it (bought it used in 2000) I spent around $1000 on repairs (wheel bearing, oxygen sensor and check valve to fix P0410 code).
When I recall my search for a wagon, I too considered Subaru or Passat. Both Subaru and Passat I found quite cramped, especially rear seats, and small. Also Subaru was looking very cheap and interior finish didn't inspire much confidence. My friend works for a Japanese automotive company and he admits that they outsource the cheapest radios, even for the more expensive models, from Panasonic, Sony, etc. Handling wasn't that good either, but I must admit it is individual taste and preference that makes the call. I too have 4 cylinder Accord but my Volvo will outrun any Honda at ease and although ride is harsher, high speed stability and handling are much better.
Compared to Subaru and Passat, Volvo interior is huge and seats (all of them) are comfortable for 8 hour drive. Try to drive for 8 hours in Passat and chiropractor visit will follow.
I guess the ultimate test of a car is its owner willingness to repeat the same choice in a future. In my case, I would buy Volvo again, but I don't know about Honda (mechanically Hondas are sure bet but each model is uglier than the previuos one).

My wife has an '01 Odyssey, total repairs so far have been two (2) brake light bulbs. My '98 Volvo has so many service receipts that they won't fit in the glovebox. Now, after 114,000 miles I still LOVE driving the Volvo! I sometimes actually consider buying another one, but then I slap myself because I realize that this is a completely insane idea! Consumer Reports recommends the new V70, as a new car, but stories about the S80 (similar platform) don't bode well.

Most recently, my '98's AC evaporator went at 101k, thermostat at about 104k and I'm having my heater core replaced next week. It never ends.

I like driving a stick shift, and the number of small, powerful station wagons with stick shifts is limited. Subaru will introduce a turbocharged version of the Forester, called the "XT", with 210hp for 2004, and it will be available with a 5-speed.

Since much of what's FUN about my T5 Volvo is the 236hp, the 210hp of the Subaru XT might be nearly as much fun since it weighs a little less. Even upgrading the wheels and tires of the Subaru, it should still be about 2/3 and 1/2 the price of a new XC. The English magazine Car tested their version of the XT, which is a 2.0 liter, and rated it #1 against several other smaller wagon including the MG ZT. They claim that the H4 lowers the centrer of gravity so in spite of the taller body it has a low center of gravity. Makes some sense when you think about it.

Autoweek has an article about it from the Chicago Motor Show intro.

This is a pdf file, I hope the link works!

Of your non-Japanese choices, I'd exclude the Mercedes 4-Matic wagon because it has the same reliability/durability problems as the Volvo, ditto the Audi. Like just about all of the Eurocars, they may be OK for the first 3 years of a lease, but I predict they'll all be nightmarish when they get old, and much of the point to buying one of these cars has aways been the claimed long-term durability. I wonder if the VW Passat 4-Motion is going to be any better than the Volvo XC after the miles pile up.

The AWD Passat is on the Consumer Reports "Used Cars to Avoid" list. Not a good sign.

If you could find a NICE used BMW 528i Wagon that would probably be the sanest non-Subaru choice in a wagon. I'd be very careful about having it checked out for collision damage and maintainance history. (If you like fixing the Volvo, you're gonna LOVE it when the white-coated service manager with the faux German accent presents you with the bill at your local Bimmer emporium!)

But the sanest choice of all in a sporty wagon would probably be the Subaru XT.

-Punxsutawney Phil

'98 V70T5M 114k mi.

You sound like me. I share similar sentiments....I have both a '99 Subaru SUS limited edition (sedan) and a '98 V70 AWD. The Volvo is the nicest driving and comfortable car I have owned (though my '90 Accord was real nice too). Both my Volvo and Subaru handle great in the snow. I think my Volvo is better in dry turns than the Subaru. Feels less roll. The Subaru is less troublesome, but I have had that engine replaced already (piston slap) and my V70 has had its share of leaks, locks, etc....

If I had the $, I'd get a new model AWD Volvo without hesitation. Also a new Subaru WRX....

I just purchased an used 2001 V70 T5 at 46K miles for my wife. Have had it for less than 1K miles so I can't tell about repairs yet. From tuneup costs and reading this forum, I realize owning the Volvo is going to be a bit more expensive than the Japanese cars.

But I can share my opinion regarding how the V70 drives. I drive a 2000 Honda Accord 4 cylinder automatic. Our V70 doesn't come close to the handling of the Accord. I also just purchased a 2003 Subaru Outback for my mother in law and it also handles much better than the V70. Of course, the Outback is AWD while my V70 is only FWD. I personally find our V70's steering imprecise as compared to my Accord and the new Outback. The brakes seems very sensitive. So you go from not braking at all to braking hard with slight difference in pressure applied on the brake peddle. My wife test drove a 2.4 and said it has no power.

In terms of quietness, I don't think our V70 is all that quiet. When I sit on the passenger front seats, I am able to hear some wind noises even during none highway speeds. The dash and the glove compartment door has some minor rattles.

Even though I got the 247HP T5, power only seems reasonable but there isn't much at the low end of the RPM. I don't really feel any turbo lag. My 2000 Accord's VTEC 4 cyclinder seems to pack more punch off the line. The 4 cylinder Subaru Outback also seems to have more off the line. But I'm not an aggressive driver so I'm not pushing any of the cars too hard at all times.

In terms of comfort, I feel tighter in the V70 (I'm 5-10) than either the Accord or the Outback. The leather seats seems to hug your body well. But I personally find the V70's leather seat tend not let your back "breath" as well as my Accord's cloth seats. This maybe just a difference between cloth and leather for me personally rather than anything V70 specific. T5's ride is tighter and harsher than the Outback. Maybe the 2.4 and 2.4Ts are smoother rides. I'm not sure.

Regarding safty, I can't really judge except for the spec of the safty equipment. Dual front and in seat side air bags + air curtains covering all 4 passenger windows.

But I can't complain as my wife loves the Volvo for its image. She has already announced to me that her next car is a Volvo also. If the wife is happy, then I am happy :-)

Hope this helps. I know many people loves Volvo on this site and I certainly enjoy owning our Volvo for just a brief period of time. Just trying to answer your question honestly as you seems to be seeking a better ride than your 99.

After all the problems I have seen on this board, I wish I found this board first before buying my used V70R. I assumed the V's were as good as the bricks but was WRONG! If ya like doing your own work on cars....go for it. If ya don't like getting porked by the dealer.....buy the Honda. You will be bored to tears with it but will never see or hear from a dealer again they are so relaible.

Bored to tears...yeah...well...in a way I long for that, and in a way I agree with you, it sounds VERY BORING.

Weird the way some of us can get addicted to maintenance issues...like we are not happy (in some crazy way) unless we are constantly tending to our mechanical devices...constantly fidgeting and making maintenance plans and such.