I am trying to get some good advice. I currently own 4 940's. One is a crashed car serving as a feast for cannibalizing for the others. The other 3 are all 94 or 95 Turbos.

The cars have problems, but I've been working on them and eventually, I will have them all running well. Mostly its things like motor mounts, ball joints, struts, brakes, and transmission mounts. The cars basically run well, thanks to the B230 engine. Cosmetics and accessories, such as radios, window regulators, tail gate wiring ... that sort of stuff I've got in good shape and under control.

However, my wife seems to be yearning after a V70 XC. I've looked at the local dealership and in the $18,000 range I can probably buy one with 50,000 miles 4 or five years old. Generally, I would avoid buying through the dealer and paying the premium, but if I were to buy one, I would make an exception for the certified used car paperwork, that would make my wife happy. I think considerably outside the box. She doesn't.

So, gradually, I am getting comfortable with the idea of a non-940 in the family, and spending the money. My wife is not pushing me, but I know she's like the feel of a "new" car.

All was well, until I brought my 940 to my local mechanic for inspection, today. I have disparaged his work on this forum, but after picking up my other 940 from the dealer today at a cost of $540, and the items I was concerned with are worse than when I brought it in (I can elaborate) but, the point is, problem diagnosis is not a precise science and I probably should cut both the local mechanic and the dealer some slack, when they fix something that was not wrong to start with.

Because of the neighborhood I live in, the local mechanic does see a lot of Volvo's and he's been seeing them for more than 30 years. He may not be perfect, but I do believe he has a basis for an opinion about reliability. Today, and not for the first time, he insisted that the 940 is the best Volvo that was made (I think the 240 is too old to be in his consideration and besides, they are not that different). He says the V70 XC is terrible and that I'd be in his shop every other week getting it fixed.

Meanwhile the 40 year employed service manager at Dalzell, the local dealer in Dedham, MA., says his wife has the V70 XC and he loves the car.

So, what is to be believed?

I recognize this group are 940 enthusiasts and have a reason to favor the 940. Still, some of us, must own the 70 series cars, too. I don't want to create a "set up" for my wife, because she already believes down deep that I won't move from the 940 and would prefer not to spend the money. In some ways she is right, but not completely. For the sake of marital harmony, I would get the car she wants, but not if what the mechanic is saying is really true. That would be a foolish decision and if I have sufficient credible information to support keeping the 940s and maintaining them, even to the extent of putting more money into upkeep than the car is worth, I would do that.

The way I look at it, my Navy Blue 940 wagon, may have a book value of $1,500, but I can't duplicate the value to me for less than $19,000, unless I buy another used 940.

I apologize for bringing one of these typically "on the one hand / on the other hand" unanswerable questions to the group, but if you are so inclined try your best.

I suppose there must be a V70 section on the brickboard. Should I be posing my question there, as well?

Bob Franklin

Hi Bob.
when i had this decision to make and my best friend being a volvo tech i bought the wife a low (46,000) mileage honda accord about 6.5 yrs ago.
the timing belt was a bear but its the only item that needed service.
oh and the radio took a crap but was covered under warranty.
luckily my two nine fortys have low mileage.
94 940T 195,000
95 940T 132,000
01 accord 151,000
hope to get at least 300,000 from all of them.
I have never had a FWD volvo so i cant give you any actual experience.
good luck
mike

I have a v70 that I got at the junk yard [it had some damage that had to be fixed] and my wife loves it [the heated seats]. It had 182,000. It has been a year now and the car has 194,000 and runs great. Its a little stiff riding. Not like my 94 960. That's like riding in a cad. I love my 960.

I am a 745-to-V70 convert as of late, after I totalled the 745 last February. I wanted to buy another 745/945, but I buckled under certain people's pressure to "get something more modern." I bought a 2003 V70 NA base model with 150,000 miles on it. At that mileage it needs some work. It's not like buying a 940 with 150,000 miles. For instance when one of the CV joints wears out, it's impossible to ignore. I think you're smart to get into one with lower mileage.

Although I must admit I enjoy some of the creature comforts that come with the V70 (as your wife probably would also), it will come with some new headaches and additional expenses. The electronics are something else...

Log onto this web site and enquire about what years and what options to avoid:

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=9

Go ahead and book mark it - you'll need it in the future.

I have (3) 1993 NA 940's I like pretty well. I've done most of the work I could do from above. I don't like working under cars on my back, except changing a fuel filter or something relatively quick and simple. Almost everything on the 940, except for the occasional perplexing diagnosis, is simple.

I bought a 2004 NA V70 in 2007, certified used, from the dealer. I love driving the 940's, but the V70 is much more comfortable. I have about 200k miles right now, and I follow the advice on the FWD board. There is no FAQ for the P2 car platform, but a ton of good advice. I love the car and I would gladly buy another one. It's comfortable, the build quality is better than the older models, and has many refinements you won't find on a car built in the 90's. Keep in mind that the 240/740/940 is basically a 70's design, that was updated with the times. Volvo perfected the RWD platform when it built the 900 series red block car. Even better, the wagon.

V70? Better handling, better ride, better performance, far quieter, and terrific utility in a wagon. Here are, in my opinion, some downsides.

Parts cost more, it has a computer that needs the dealer's programming, and routine maintenance can be more involved. For example, the transmission. I can buy regular good quality ATF and flush my trans for $18. This transaxle (also AW) uses special Mobil 3309 fluid that costs about $65. Timing Belt? RWD including tensioner maybe $40 in parts and 90 minutes under the hood when you get good at it. FWD? Whoa. You may as well change the water pump while you are in there, because it runs off the timing belt, and the total cost for good quality parts is about $250. The first time I did it took me eight hours. The next time, coming up soon, probably 4 or 5. Remember too that FWD cars have half-shafts, and these are maintenance item too. By the time you hit 250k miles you'll probably change them both. I keep meticulous records on my cars. Take the money you spent on the RWD car; then double it. Go on the FWD page and ask about the best years for the v70. Probably 2005 through to the next model changeover. And check on the XC70. The are years to avoid, especially due to changes in the AWD technology Volvo used.

The V70 sits low to the ground, but he XC70 sits much higher, and I like that. But reports are certain years of these models are far more expensive to maintain. Don't forget it has a drive shaft in addition to half-shafts off the transaxle. Also, it is equipped as the premium model, so there is a lot more ginger-bread to maintain. Another power seat, a premium HVAC system, more expensive tires. Actually, that's about it.

The Volvo body shop manager told me the v70's (and XC70's) are tough cars. He said he's seen hits from the back that would destroy a lot of cars. The car is a tough box and retains it's shape. Front is good, but not like the back. It's a very safe car, so it appears, and I hope I never find out, but I would look into the insurance premiums. These are not cheap cars to fix. They hold up great in a collision but it takes a lot of work and money to fix them.

If I had to do it over again I would still buy the V70, and I probably will. I buy cheap 940's and fix up right for my kids. And I never worry they'll be stranded, or god-forbid, unprotected in an accident.
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I'm stuck on Volvo and Volvo's stuck on me....

You might.
I have a FWD V70T5, 2001, and I like it pretty well. I understand the AWDs have more
problems, especially in the early years.
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George Downs Bartlesville, Oklahoma