1998 S70 Volvo Base Model GT

$6999 asking price

89K miles

Automatic Sedan 4-door 2.4L I-5 EFI DOHC Assembled in Sweden

Black/tan leather interior

Inspected in June 2004, alloy wheels, new tires, moonroof, electric driver seat, windshield will eventually need replaced, few spots of body dings here and there, body needs buffed, air works, good up-hill pick up, transmission moves easily, two leather tears in driver/passenger front inside door frames at elbows.

Vin checked...no past negative history, originated in NC as a rental/lease, passed emission

This guy's son purchased it one month ago at a car auction. Said he fixed a missing headlight wiper and fixed a turn signal and cleaned it.


Does anyone have any thoughts on this car? Thoughts on this specific car, as well as the average volvo s70 of this vintage would be welcomed. Let me know anything that could possibly go wrong, as well as what to look for if we go to look at it.

There is a clean used Volvo out there for everyone who wants one and at every price point. Be patient and look around. I have never settled for a used Volvo with marks, dents and tears...in my experience these cars are either perfect or destroyed.

I say, look around until you find a clean car (for similar money) with service records and a conscientious seller.

Last time I purchased a used v70 it took me six months to locate exactly what I wanted...but I did find it! So can you.

C.

I bought a 98 s70 with 80k from a local used car dealer here in NH (he deals in volvos, saabs, etc). It was a lease car from NJ they had bought at an auction of leased volvos.

The service booklet was stamped for all services, and the used car dealer called the dealer in NJ and had him fax up all of the service records. The records showed that all of the electrical problems that were common with that car had been taken care of, and it had regular oil changes and the timing belt had been changed on schedule.

See if you can find and contact the servicing dealership and have them send you what records they have.

I thought the 1st year for the S70 was 98, ya know?

I myself would pass on any FWD Volvo without a a fully stamped logbook or good documented maintenance history. A "good" 850-70 can be a dream, a bad one can be a nightmare.

My $0.02.

-BTC

'98 V70T5M, 145k mi., IPD stabilizer bars, Bilstein HD, e-codes, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, V-1 etc.

While searching here for a clue as to why the rear power window will not go up I spotted this ditty. Now this is quite interesting as I am "the boss's" wife and mother of the blonde daughter who is now driving the 1998 S70. We were able to get the price down to $6500. Couldn't get "the boss" or his "employee" to help us with the decision as they were too busy working. I drove it twice, seemed okay and so we just bought it (one 18 yr old with a job and her own stash of cash, big blue eyes, blonde hair, & two scholarships a parent cannot seem to say NO to)...one hour sitting in our driveway we noticed a puddle of oil...in the shop for a few days leaky gaskets, tuneup, timing belt, water pump, brakes...$1700. Sold (rescued) my 1989 Saab SPG Turbo because she drove it in 1st gear too long and the insurance would be sky high. Put the gal in a volvo. I would have preferred her in a newer volvo with less miles...but "the boss" didn't see my point of view. We live in a very small town and this volvo was the only one for sale. I feel certain she'll make it through 5 yrs of college with this car and am also certain she'll be safer in this vehicle as opposed to the SUV she was hoping for. It is black and is classy looking to boot. I miss my shiny black Saab but don't mind this ride in our driveway one bit (the boss prefers Fords as we have three of those in the driveway). And, yes, the boss is very likeable and much too practical and logical for the girls in the family...

Being an 854 driver, I also like S70s. But a rental car? No maintance history? Current owner is going to make a profit? I think I would pass on this one.

Klaus

PS Remember when NC state had some very bad floods a couple of years ago? Hmmm.
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95 854T, 88 780, 88 245