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Hey all,
This is my first break into the XC forum so please bear with me!! I'm writing this on behalf of my 'rents: Two weeks ago my mom feel asleep at the wheel and slammed into a tree totaling our '92 245. She walked away from the crash with just a few bruises and was more worried about crashing the car than herself. Needless to say Volvo for life, and they are now looking at either an 850 or used XC!! I made a post in the 850 forum regarding which years are best and any issues to watch out for and check (thanks all for replying!!!), so I guess that is my question here: Any serious flaws in electrics, hardware, design, etc. to look for in the XC70? I know '98 was the first year, and I think that is what they are currently considering if they go the XC route...I'll check the archives too but any insight is appreciated!!!
Best regards and many thanks in advance,
-Adam
--
'92 244GL silver-metallic, 141k, Hella 550 Front Fogs, K&N filter w/modded box (no thermostat, and screens), Bilstein HDs w/strut plates, IPD anti-sway bars and upper and lower chassis braces, 15" Draco rims, Volvo 240 OEM rear wing/spoiler, waiting on Unitek cam and header
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posted by
someone claiming to be Punxsutawney Phil
on
Tue Apr 8 04:58 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Search "bevel gear" and noter that Consumer Reports says to avoid the AWD Volvos.
I'm at 115,000 miles now with my '98 V70T5, and pretty much every problem that I was "supposed" to have, I've had.
I like it, and I'm not getting rid of the car, I'm handing it down to my kid next, but whatever you can say about Volvos, "troublefree" and "Volvo" usually don't occur in the same sentence.
-Punxsutawney Phil
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Hi Punx,
I been following the FWD board posts for the past 3-4 weeks since I just bought a '98 v70GLT with 75k miles. In reading your different posts, I get the feeling that you have a love/hate relationship with your T5.
This is my first FWD volvo, and this car looks and rides nicer than my RWD volvos, and also has more pickup and is faster. I know the T5 is even faster than the GLT with more horsepower, and has the nice set of alloy wheels.
Just curious, did you buy your T5 new or used? Has your car really had all the different problems that you mention. Are you really sour on the FWD volvos?
In the RWD volvo board, I remember folks complaining in their posts about the electrical gremlins with rwd volvos, or the substandard calipers in the 740's, the rust problems, the engine wiring harness desintegrating and on and on, but these folks still love their rwd volvos, with all their problems.
I know the FWD is a different beast, but I hope that my GLT gives me 100k miles of riding enjoyment. Besides, since your T5 has had all the common failures allready, and they have been fixed, I would keep that baby for a long time. Hey Punx, keep the faith, that T5 might go another 100k easy.
Cheers ;)
--
'88 240, '92 740, '98 v70 GLT John in Tampa Bay
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posted by
someone claiming to be Quenton
on
Mon Apr 7 14:25 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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I haven't had any problems with the car at all. Just turned 50,000 and have only had routine maintenance. I did take it in for electrical issues (turn signal bulbs and headlight bulb burned out) covered under warranty in 2000. I replaced the tires at 30K with Michelins that look very good with 20K.
Make sure you have a mechanic go through it or any used car before committing to it. There have been reports of the angle gear failing by other XC owners so that's a factor, but if the car is maintained properly this is probably not too much of an issue.
BTW; the car runs and rides fantastically. I've had it off road in the Southern California desert in sand and it performed flawlessly. Very good highway ride and my gas mileage is pretty good. I average about 19/20 mpg around town and get 27/28 on the highway.
I will look to buy another Volvo when it's time, but this car still rides and looks great so I think it'll be awhile.
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posted by
someone claiming to be duett
on
Wed Apr 9 14:39 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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I concur. As an _70 AWD owner approaching 50K, i can say the bevel gear has been fine, the AWD functionality has been great and the car has been reliable. I have no complaints. Just watch the how the tires wear and keep them even and of the same type.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Ray N.
on
Mon Apr 7 12:46 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Search on "bevel gear" and "viscous coupling" using the search
field (below, to the right) to find postings on these issues.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Bob
on
Tue Apr 8 06:07 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Actually, if you're going to consider any AWD car, you need to realize that the AWD systems are complicated and can fail on just about all brands. Be meticulous with maintenance. If you drive nearly any car which uses a viscous coupling for AWD using unmatched tires (including the "full-height" compact spare tire that comes with most AWD cars), you will strain the system. I'm told the Haldex system will turn itself off to prevent damage, but you won't have AWD then.
4WD systems are emore reliable, but less convenient and, in my experience, don't work as well on-road under typical low-traction conditions.
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