Hello Volvo owners and experts. I have a dilemma.
I have an opportunity to purchase an old 1999 Volvo S70, with 50,000 miles (75,000km), which looks like new. The motor looks well-taken care off, seats immaculate etc.
My other option is a Volvo S80, 2009, with 110,000 miles. This one looks in a worse external condition, the motor looks quite dusty, seats dirty etc. Both have full record history with no major issues.
(see pics).
The S80 is, of course, more expensive but aside from the financial issue, which car do you think is in a better shape and will have fewer issues?
I would appreciate your views.
Thanks.

 

I wouldn't touch either; keep looking..

 

Ok, sounds good to me but I would appreciate some reason for that..

Also, in which direction should I look in your view: S40/S60? V70? No Volvo at all?

Thanks.

 

If there isn't any (or much) rust on the S70, I'd go with that one. A lot of times when I see a car with very low miles, there is quite a bit of rust on the suspension.

 

I'm partial to '96-97 850, '98 S70/V70 myself. I avoid '99-2004 MYs or so; they had many issues, esp the S80s. My opine; take it w/grain of salt. Do your research..

 

the S70 will be needing lots of vacuum lines replaced and assorted little problems as age related failures occur. By the 99 model year Volvo had the S70 pretty well sorted out and other than the steering it was all older technology. By 09 the S80 is pretty well sorted out too but is a more complicated beast.

You mention records but don't state what was, or was not, done. Big concern is the timing belt. 100,000 miles so the S90 should have had one recently AND the one in the S70 is old and crumbly if it has not been done yet. Are you going to do this yourself? A GOOD garage will charge you upwards of 700 bucks and this could tip the balance to either car IMO.

Still, it sounds like the S70 was well taken care of. If a car is dirty I automatically think that the owner didn't maintain it well and a poorly cared for Volvo will suck money like a Hoover on steroids. Conversely, a well maintained Volvo will last a very long time.


All said, and I've owned both an S70 and an S80, the S70 is more fun to drive and easier to work on. If it has a new belt/water pump I'd get it. I'd likely pass on a dirty S80 w/ 110,000 K unless the maintenance was sterling.

 

Um what??!

They changed at least four major systems in '99 MY on the S70:

1. switched from mechanical throttle to ETM; took them at least 4 yrs or more to get this technology sorted out.
2. new engine; mostly an improvement, but later engines were better.
3. new trans; not an improvement; many stories of failed units.
4. switch to returnless fuel injection system; many issues there too.