Hi all, new poster here.

I'm thinking of purchasing a used Volvo and right now I'm considering a '96 850, a '95 850 GLT, a '00 S80, or a '99 S70 AWD (all automatics, per the wife's request ). Maybe a '98 V70 as well but it's a bit farther than I'd like to travel to purchase.

Anyway... What can you tell me about the relative reliability / maintenance costs of these models (assuming they're all currently in good condition)? From what I've read so far it sounds like the '00 S80 and the '99 S70 could potentially be very expensive to keep, but the 850's and the V70 should be quite reasonable? Is that fairly accurate? Anything I should know about those models before purchasing?

There may also a '97 850 R available but I'm assuming it would too expensive for upkeep since its so highly tuned.

Thanks.

 

You are on the right track. Personally I would not by any that was not a Turbo model. I would also just stay away from the 99-01 models. But then again if I find a 00-01 C70 Convertible HPT Five speed for the right price I will buy it. So I don't think they are that bad. The 97 850 GLT and the 98 V/S70 GLT's have a Low Pressure Turbo and they are fine cars. The 98 has a reputation of being one of the best years for Volvo. I have a 98 V70 GLT and it has given me very little problems and it has plenty of power, but nothing like my two 850 R's. The R's cost no more to maintain than the other models, and they are just sweeter looking and somewhat faster than the plain Turbo or T5 model.

What color is the 97 850 R and what's the price? That's the one I would be going for if I was you. If it's a wagon, all the more reason cause they are hard to find. My white one is a 97 850 R and I like the looks of it every bit as much as my Yellow 95 850 T5R which is next to impossilbe to find. Mine is one of 187 of them imported into the US. To my knowlege there were only about 25 Yellow T5R wagons imported to USA. Now that would be a find.

Good luck!

 

Just got off the phone with the guy selling the 850 R and it's been sold already (it's black and not a wagon BTW). He said he also has a 2000 S40 to sell w/ 90k miles but I think I'm going to stick to the pre-99 models. I guess I won't stay away from the turbos for maintenance reasons, but for me it's not a necessity.

 

Test drive one with a Turbo and then one without. My daughter looked at several turbo models and then went and looked at an NA and test drove it. The NA was in better condition and was a color scheme she loved, white wagon with charcoal interior, but after driving it she said no way. They ended up buying a 95 850 Turbo wagon in burgundy with charcoal interior for $3,000. It needed about a $1,500 worth of work which was done by her husband who is a mechanic.

 

Hmm... Actually I think I got my contacts mixed up, it was the 95 850 GLT wagon that was sold already... The 850R may still be up for grabs.

This is the ad for it: http://eugene.craigslist.org/car/625316469.html

I don't think I'd pay his asking price, but see what kind of offer he's willing to take.

 

Like the black 97 850 R.

 

He's only asking $5700? That is a steal for that car. If that car was anywhere near Ohio and not yet sold, it would be mine. It only has 117,500 miles!

 

I still haven't heard back from the 850R guy so I'm thinking it's not gonna happen. What do you guys think about this '98 V70 AWD?

http://eugene.craigslist.org/car/642370319.html

 

Oh, a question: are there non-turbo 1998 V70 AWD wagons? Or are all 1998 V70 AWD wagons turbo? I read some conflicting information online.

 

I think all the 98 V70's with AWD have the Low Pressure Turbo except for the V70R which AWD and the High Pressure Turbo. I'm not certain of this though.

The red 97 V70 AWD is a nice looking car, but I would rather spend the money on a 95-97 850 R. The 98 V70 is a very good car though. I have a 98 V70 GLT which has LPT and no AWD. I did not want AWD. I wish they made an R w/o it.

 

Didn't they make a V70 T-5 that was not AWD?

 

Yes, the 98 V70T5 is not AWD and has the HPT. I want one with a five speed in red with charcoal interior.