This is my first post so I hope it does not seem like I am going 100 miles per hour, but here is my story. I have a 2007 Chevy Trailblazer SS that I hate. I have 2 years left on the lease, and can't wait for the time to go by. My plan is to buy my replacement car NOW. This will give me 2 years to work out any bugs since this will be my main car in 2 years. I am tired of car payments, and don't want to buy anything new in 2 years. I have had 3 Saabs 87 900, 88 9000 turbo, and a 2001 9-3 convertible. I have been targeting another Saab for this, but over the last week I decided to start investigating Volvo. I have never had one so something different may be just what I need. I am looking at either an 850, or a S70. My first choice would be an 850 t5 with a 5speed. I know they are rare, but remember I have 2 years. I am only considering the S70 because they will not be as old as any of the 850's. Here are my questions.

Are these easy to work on, and is one easier than the other?

Are the engines as legendary as the original Saab 4 cylinder engine, and is 300K a reasonable expectation?

Any specific years to avoid?

Are they more reliable than Saabs?

I have more questions, but I think this is a good start. It seems like most of these are automatics. I have always liked 5 speeds, and since this will be my main car I would like to stick with that. Any help is appreciated.

Willie

 

Both the 850 and the S70 are sturdy, reliable cars. They also share the same chassis and most engine parts...the S70 just has a sportier body and an improved interior. My advice would to buy a '98 S70 GLT or T5 so that you get the turbocharger. The '99 and '00 S70's seem to have a bit more trouble (I suspect this is because Ford bought Volvo around this time...) than the '98's.

They can be hard to work on. They require just about every every size and shape of screw ever made. If you replace the timing/serpentine belts yourself...get the automatic tensioner if it doesn't already have one.

Most Volvos use an inline-5 cylinder engine. And yes, I would expect these engines to last 3,000 miles if you take care of it.

I would avoid the '99-'01 years because (going back to my assumption about Ford) it seems like those cars are crap compared to all the other Volvos.

I'd say Volvos are more reliable because Saab is currently under GM influence.

And I can't remember if they're 4- or 5-speeds.

 

In the case of 850, the only year I would avoid is the 1993 model because that model seems to use different parts compared to later models, and you have to do the timing belt at every 50,000 miles/5 years as opposed to 70,000 miles/5 years for 1994 and up.

I would go with 1998 S70 if you can find one, as recommended by BlazeS70. Reliability on used cars depends on how well the previous owner took care of his/her car. Make sure to check to see if the car comes with full service record, and have a Volvo specialist do a pre-purchase inspection.

I myself find Volvos are straightforward to work on, except certain procedures must be done exactly right. And you need various sizes of Torx tools.

Don't be shy to ask questions; we are here to help & have fun.

Regards,


JPN

 

Thanks for the good info. I will start focusing in on 98's. It seems like people who are selling these are doing so because they bought a newer one, so that should say something. I will keep you all posted on this quest.

 

I have had a 94 850 Turbo, and I now have an 95 850 T5R, a 97 850 R and a 98 V70 GLT. My son has a 98 V70 R and a 98 S70 T5 5-speed (often referred to as a T5M). If you really want a turbo with five speed (like my son did) you really need to stick with the 98 model. You will not find an 850 Turbo five speed in the US unless it was conveted or somedody brought it in from another country like Canada.

As far as the 98 S70 having an upgraded interior, my wife and I both prefer the interiors of the 850 over the V70. The arm rests are deeper and the door panels do not bubble out like the S/V70's do. As far as reliablity I find my 98 V70 to be the most reliable of the bunch.

My son picked up the 98 S70 T5M for just over $3,000 about a year ago. We had to go all the the to Rochester, NY to get it though. To get my 97 850 R I had to go to Norfolk, VA. These cars are getting harder and harder to find (especially the R models). My 95 came from Indianapolis, IN and the 97 came from around Washington DC.

Like somebody else said look for one with a a good maintenance history and take your time and look for a good deal. If you find one any where near Columbus, OH let me know and I would be more than willing to check it out for you and don't worry I am not in the market right now for another one. Unless you find a red with grey interior 98 V70 T5M. Problem is I would not want to get rid of any that I now own. I have not made a car payment in more than 20 years now.

 

This is great info. I forgot to mention if it matters I am a big guy. 6' 1" and weigh 260 pounds. Most of the unless it is my wifes 2 door coupe, I am okay. Is this a concern? Also alot of the ones I am seeing are in the 150K miles range. How risky are these? If most people are like me I take great care of all of my cars, but don't keep very good documentation. Besides the timing belt are there any other things that I need to make sure have been done?

 

For what its worth, Volvo are among the easiest of all the generic European cars to work on, I know I am British and have owned a sh*t load of other European cars! They are also (compared to a great deal of locally available cars) very reliable, in fact on a par with Japanese cars (a high percentage of which are made in Europe).
I also own a Pontiac Trans Am, which has got to be the easiest car in the world to work on! Ok its 22 years old but so damn straight forward to work on (apart from replacing the spark plugs), that I rarely have to even put my overalls on..
Anyway my opinion on Volvos, any Volvos.. Cheap and chearfull over here in the UK but, the Police use them as patrol cars and interceptors and if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me..