I'm in the market for another volvo (4th purchase now). I have an 850 that has been very reliable (now with 174k) but now i'm looking at adding an AWD model. I'm concerned about reliability with the newer (2000-2002) models. I've heard nightmares of people having issues with the auto transmission needing replacement. I know the rear drive shaft would need replacing eventually along with possibly the electronic throttle body module. I'm looking at an XC 70 2000 with 126k on it; or possibly a 2000 xc or 2002 xc (both with 101k).

Also, how do you check for a bad rear driveshaft? sharp turns and listen for noise??

Please advise.

 

Hi Mainer..well i don't have an awd car..i recently bought a 2006 V70 fwd 2.5T..with 58k km on the clock..so far the car has been great,some small repairs but was covered under warranty. Even at that i found it a little surprising that these parts needed to be replaced but i guess they don't make them like they used to..haha but it's not that bad really...
I too had a '95 850 wagon and it was a tank!
The 2006 is a good car i must say...if you're comparing with other cars of today i would say volvo's are still good..i would say pre '98 or post 2006 however.
As for the AWD..your best bet is to get a realll thorough inspection, especially the AWD system..and if it's good, make sure you do the scheduled maintenance (diff. oil change,tranny fluid change..ect)..this will keep it in shape.
g'luck
fabs

 

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately, a 2006 or later would be out of the question based on cost.
I'm either considering a 2002 XC70 or reverting back to an 850 wagon with low miles (Of course then i may end up dealing with a main seal leaking based on the age).

Anyone out there have a 2002 XC70? How is the reliability on the tranny and AWD?

 

You're welcome...if budget is the case, then i would suggest going with an 850 as you mentioned or an awd models before 1999, have it looked over well and you should be okay...
personally i would go with a FWD model..less stuff to go wrong..
ciao
fabs

 

My family bought a 2000 AWD XC70 once, the AWD aspect of it blew out as they were bringing the car out to us. Personally, I will never buy an AWD Volvo, they FWD models and all of their traction control options handle just fine in the snow, no point in using AWD. If you want something newer than the 850, get a 98 V70 T5.

 

I agree with Gilber....the 98 is a good model too...the best of the last...haha my brother just bout a 98 V70AWD R...nice car, sturdy, needs a few repairs but is solid!
g'luck!
fabs

 

V70's are the best of the pick, especially the 98's however a lot of folks call the awd AWfail, awtragic and so forth. Seems to be that the awd systems Volvo uses aren't a strong feature of the cars. IF you must have an awd model, I would strongly have it inspected by the stealership or a good Volvo independent shop........ Those systems are def. not cheap to fix! Good Luck in your search

 

All of the 98-03 AWDs use the same system, and if properly maintained, is a pretty good one. The problem is that most people don't know what the proper maintenance is on these and they get forgotten about. The 04+ use the Haldex system as opposed to the VC system. The VC system is pretty simple and there isn't a whole lot to go wrong with it (at least on the 98s, the 99-03 are electrical nightmares). The biggest thing is to check the bevel gear to see if it's leaking and the condition of the oil. A properly maintained bevel gear will do wonders for the AWD since it's pretty much the most important part on the older VC system. I did a ton of research on this before I decided on my 98 XC, so if you have any more questions let me know.

 

Volvo has tremendous reliability issues now. They are no longer the same company. Time to change over another brand for awd. There are a tremendous amount of suspension, transmission and even engine reliability problems. Electrical components seem to be okay. Basic body/interior components also are unreliable. Go to a dealership and find a mechanic that will talk to you. For that matter just look how many used XC70's and 90's there are on the lot....People don't keep them.

 

With the Exception of the S80 and XC90, other models are reliable......

 

Yeah, I wouldn't say that. From what I hear, pretty much all of their current models are reliable, obviously the 01s a little less than the rest but, I have heard any stories of them not being reliable anymore. And exactly what somthngfrce said, stay away from the S80.

 

I don't really think AWD is worth the expense. I've driven, a bit, my mothers XC90, but not in snow, and well I'd rather have a v70 FWD. I've driven the supposed king of AWD the ou..t..b...a.... sorry I just can't say it. I nearly lost it in about two inches of snow, too much power to the rear wheels. But I have owned a CJ7 and 89 wrangler and nothing could beat the direct lockup 4 wheel (not AWD) drive. I'd save the money, buy a Volvo FWD and when the snow gets too deep, stay home, light a fire, bake some cookies.

 

I think reliability comes down in most Volvos to how we/they are maintained by the owners for the most part, with the exception of what I stated before S80 and also what Consumer Reports last month called one of the worst vehicles on the road, XC90 ( Guess you can't win them all! Glad I bought an 850

 

Absolutely not true. S60 is not reliable either. Just look at the Angle Gear recall for a good example. I purchased my 04 S60 new and had all maintenance done. Even when I got rid of the car it was noted what great shape it was in. That was only because I had dumped thousands and thousands of dollars into the car. It had 74k miles on it. I have spent much time discussing with other Volvo owners and Volvo Mechanics. I have spent well over a year running down all the problems with this car and determining how many other people also have these problems. Between Engine components, transmissions, suspension systems and the various minor defects, they are far from a reliable car.

 

And Volvo North America will not support you.

 

DO NOT LISTEN TO THE ABOVE POSTER. He is spreading misinformation across various parts of the forum.

The angle gear did cause some trouble for people in the R, but it is a RARE failure in a 2.5t UNLESS the car is abused.

I have 120k on my 02. The car is well taken care of but I do drive almost 80 miles a day. I have had very few issues with mine.

 

Yeah, exactly, it's hit or miss, and it's only the people with a negative experience with the car that are heard. I wouldn't think twice about buy an S60, I think if they're well maintained you shouldn't have a problem, but obviously there will be the random cars that just have more problems than others. But like I've said before, the only Volvo's I will really ever buy are up to 1998, and 2004-2007 (the R years).

 

If I had to buy another sedan, I would buy an S60T5 all day, every day!

 

haha why not the s60 r?

 

I would buy an S60 T5 as apposed to the R just because they're so much cheaper.