I'm thinking of selling my '93 240 Classic #927/1600 wagon and getting a '99 XC with 54,000 miles. My '93 is in near perfect condition, needs nothing. The '99 XC looks to be the same. I am wondering at what mileage the timing belt typically needs replacement since that tends to be a costly repair. The asking price for the '99 is $11,990 or b/o. Seems like a pretty good deal. I particularly appreciate the 3rd seat that my '93 doesn't have. I also like the AWD feature. Anybody have any helpful hints? Or know anyone whose interested in a Ruby Red 240 Classic Wagon with 98,000 miles and all service records since new with the original window sticker? I might put it on eBay.

I have a 2000 XC that I'm happy with. Yes, I've had the ets replaced. I would counsel anybody that wishes to buy a car such as this to get an extended warranty. With only 54,000 miles it's at exactly the right mileage to acquire it. My ets problem was fixed under warranty. Yes, you need to keep tire pressures uniform. Actually you need to keep tire circumference uniform between all 4 tires. My 2000 has performed as advertised for the time period I've owned it. Look at alternative cars with the money and go from there. It sounds like a reasonable deal but bears more research on your part.

Almost forgot, timing belt interval is 105,000 miles.

I would not buy the XC your taking about. The reason I am saying this is because my last car was a 98’XC. Had many small problems with it. When I bought a 04’XC the decision was made to trade in the 98’XC rather than selling it outright. Of course I took a “hit” on the money end, but in all I think it was the best decision. I love my new 04’XC now has 17,000 miles on it and runs great. If you are set on buying this car maybe ask to see what repairs have been made to the car especially recalls. So far my experience with Volvo is they rarely send out notices for recalls. Kind of wait for you to just bring in the car. I hope this helps.

what about a '98 XC? My mechanic told met that the '98 was the worst one... Is this so?

It's a '98 FWD with a good set of snow tires, or a 2001 and newer V70XC.

Avoid '99 and '00 XC
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'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 -John, Tampa Bay

DO NOT get rid of that 240 wagon. That workhorse of the red engine will easily take you to 250k miles with average maintenance, not so for the FWD volvos..

In '99 volvo introduced the electronic throttle system ETS, and it has a high failure rate, dealer only repair and about $1000 repair.

Also, the early AWD system in volvos has a high failure rate if all 4 tires are not kept inflated to the same psi, another expensive repair.

Keep the 240 wagon, and get yourself a subaru 4wd, you'll be much happier.

If you still want to get rid of the 240 wagon, I'll come and get it from you if you're close to Florida.

Cheers
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- '88 240, '92 745, '98 v70, -John, Tampa Bay

Thanks, you're not the first one whose said this. I like the look of the XC, and I could use the third seat due to a growing family. I don't want some cheap minivan. I've owned four VW Eurovan's over the years between '93-'00. But they are hard to come by these days. How did the XC do in 2000? I also found a 2000 XC with 95,000 asking price of $10,990. Any more advice? What about a '98. My mechanic told me this was the worst one...

Our '98 XC has been absolutely great so far - at 85k. Just a couple of very minor warranty items in first couple of years, an air pump at 70k, and a torque bushing ($11) at 80k. No other repairs at all (aside from scheduled service and brake pads. We have had lots of "interesting" cars, from Ferrari to BMW 5 to SAAB's first production turbo, but this is the only car that my wife has ever voluntarily exclaimed over - she just loves it, and is not a car person by any measure. Note that the '99 adds the troublesome electronic throttle but no other particular changes. Also, the AWD system is the same right through 2002 (Haldex from 2003 on) so anyone saying to get a 2001 to avoid AWD issues is just off base. However, the AWD has been very reliable for a majority of its owners, with a failure rate in the 10% or so range per Consumers. That is pretty high, but still means that 9 of 10 are fine. Most of AWD issues seem to be traced to mis-matched tires or uneven tire presures - very sensitive as are most AWD's.

Note on the third seat. This is of limited use for most, since it is limited for weight and occupant size, as well as the lack of foot well area. None of our kids liked those third seats (740's back then) after about 8 years old.
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Mike Sullivan ('91 745 (184k), '95 855T (70k), '98 V70XC (83k). Past Volvo's: '85 744 (256k), '86 245 (165k), '86 245 (195k), '88 745 (208k), '93 965 (147k) .

This is a tough decision. On the one hand I am being told by a Volvo tech that the problems with the '98 were solve in '00. But now I am hearing that the '98 is the way to go if this is the car I am looking for. No ets in the '98 is this right? Does this make it a more reliable less costly car to own? I suppose it all depends on who the previous owner is and what kind of service records are available. Even with my '93 240 Classic. I have all the service records since new even the original window sticker. The original owner took meticulous care but I still had to replace the timing belt, ac compressor, air mass meter... and the list goes on. But the car is as sound as it was 12 years ago. It's now got 98,000 miles on it. So far I am hearing that the '98 XC is the way to go over the '99, '00 XC.

I think I've had nearly every problem ever mentioned related to the 1999 V70XC!!! Here are the last few problems I've experienced.

Six months ago I replaced the headlight switch after my lights died while I was driving home from work -- in the dark! I was able to jiggle the switch and get the lights to come back on but even then they would flash on and off. Now I hear that Volvo has issued a recall on this part. It's about time. The dealer was not surprised at all when I told him what happened. Volvo=Safety? Not based on this experience.

Two weeks ago my electronic throttle finally died. I had a rough idle for the past year but was putting off getting the throttle body replaced because I didn't realize it was covered by the emissions warranty -- now I know. They paid for the cost of the new throttle body after charging me for a cleaning ($300 or so). I don't understand why I had to pay for the cleaning in order to get the part replaced under warranty. Is this standard practice? I was just happy that it only cost $300 instead of $1000.

Yesterday my ABS and STC lights came on. I just took it in to my mechanic this afternoon and he said this is a fairly common problem -- bad ABS control module. He actually had several in stock since he replaces them so often. This will be a $1000 repair.

On top of this, I've been hit with every recall notice plus I had my AWD go out on me just after I bought the car -- probably around 15K miles. That would have been expensive ($1000?) if it hadn't been under warranty.

I love this car when it's not in the shop costing me big money. But I feel like I bought a membership in the $1000 repair-of-the-month club. My friends and family make jokes about my Volvo. I know I'm not alone since my mother-in-law is also a member of this club -- soon to be ex-member since she can't afford the dues any longer.

I guess as long as you have a lot of money or a lot of skills as a mechanic then go ahead and get a Volvo. If you like to drive your car as opposed to having it parked at a repair shop then buy a Honda or Toyota. I've had nearly no problems with either Honda or Toyota over many, many years.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!!

For now I am done with VOLVO. I bought a beautiful 2002 VW Passat Wagon. It is tight, solid, secure and fun to drive. It feels more solid than the 6 Volvo XC's I test drove between ages 1998-2000. In between Volvo's I've always gone back to VW, mostly the Eurovan for it utilitarianism as well as the living room feel of the MV. I drive a lot and it came in handy on long trips. Last year I had a 2003 VW Jetta TDI Wagon. That was a great car but it was too small. The Passat will do just fine for now.
Thanks for the advice.