Hi,

New to this site. I'm looking at a S70 2.5 SE, looks likes its in great shape with one owner who hasn't driven it much, if at all, in the last few years.
1) How do I get a Vancouver Volvo mechanic to look at it? Can anyone recommend one?
2) Its got 175,000 ks with no major work done on it, so it will need timing belt replaced? And ...?
3) Haven't been able to drive it yet so I don't know if it has enough power? While I don't need a lot I also don't want a slug.
4) Should I wait for a S70 turbo and are they reliable?
5) I also posted this under newbies. Am I posting in the right forum?

Need advice!

 

Your questions are really pretty similar.
Any car that has been sitting for a while is a bit of a red flag. Why? Also, stuff deteriorate while it just sits and isn't being replaced. Bet lots of hoses are shot by now. Get an independant Volvo mechanic - they usually advertise themselves as such. Stay away from service stations , chains like Pep Boys, and dealers. Just call them - they'll be more than happy to look over the car.
No major work at 175? Bah, I'd bet my left ******** that no 20 year old Volvo in Canada has gone 175K w/o a lot of stuff that I would call "major" . Besides the timing belt/water pump (which if it hasn't had replaced I would not even start), I'd bet brakes, struts, flame arrester, intakes componentscleaningat the least.
Power? Adequate, 1 or 2 adults should be OK. Family of 4 with luggage is a stretch.Not a slug at any rate.
Taken care of properly turbos are reliable. owned 3 and my S70 piled on going on 300 k w/o a turbo problem. But at that milage, if it was dogged the damage is done.

This is a 20 year old car. S70's are great - still miss mine. A lot. But they all require a lot of work by now. Some major - simply a function of milage. And then there are the little things - plastic parts get brittle, things wear out. If you cannot do some work yourself it will eat your wallet alive.
Turbos are fun - love them, but they add complexity and increase the likelihood of failure. Millions were sold w/o them. I'd do without.

Maintenance records are king with older Volvos - if you can find who's taken care of it take it there and ask "What was done, how well did they stay on top of things?"

I'd buy on condition and past maintanence more than features and options.

If it has been taken care of figure a grand a year to keep her running. (My experience - I do a lot of stuff myself but parts and stuff I don't/cant do cost about that).

If the car TRULY hasn't been worked on, I'd pass. But I suspect you are being not hearing the truth.. Intentionally or unintentionally.

 

Vance, you didn't mention what MY or did I miss it? What year it is will make a huge difference!

 

A 98 in very good condition externally al least.

 

That's good! Find yourself a good indy tech that specializes in volvo and have them ck it out. Be sure they ck the compression too.