I am contemplating the purchase of a 2004 C70 HPT convertible. The car currently has 68,000 kms and recently received a new timing belt.

I have searched multiple forums and read different threads and it seems these cars are reasonable reliable. Problem areas seem to be transmissions and hood mechanisms.

This will be a second car for sunny days and ice cream trips. Is maintenance going to be a headache and drain my bank account? Will it spend more time being repaired than driven? Is this purchase a good idea?

Also, any recommendations for a decent repair shop in the Kitchener/Waterloo area of Ontario would be appreciated.

I look forward to your sage advice.

 

the C70 shares engine/transmission designs with the S60/S70/v70 FWD models so pretty much what you see in problem areas will be across those lines. Transmissions are not a problem area for the FWDs, particularly for a car with such low mileage. The area I'd be checking out is the soft top, motor/sensors/seals etc. I wouldn't expect anything to be broken but the AC may need a charge, the battery may be due for a replacement due to age, plus rubber suspension parts/tires do harden with age regardless of miles. If its a second car/ garage queen then you have a different standard for use than say somebody looking for a daily driver. If you can do basic maintenance (oil changes etc) and do some preventative work (change out coolant, brake fluid, check transmission fluid and consider a flush) you should be good to go.

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond. As I type this, the car is sitting in the laneway. Nautic blue with a beige interior.

I just returned from a visit from the Volvo specialist and he said it looked like it had been wrapped in plastic for 10 years! Underneath, the exhaust clamps were shiny, the dust shields behind the brakes were free of rust and everything was corrosion free. The timing belt was just replaced, the oil is clean, and it's running well.

The interior is (surprisingly) a little grubby and in need of some TLC. The steering wheel is sticky and dirty and the driver's seat is showing its age and could do with a condition and clean. The back seats look new. The roof is showing a few abrasion marks and some discoloration.

The current mileage is 68100 kms. It's had three previous owners and it has been driven approximately 5600 kms a year since new.

I drove the car on a six hour road trip home and it was a very pleasant drive (the top was down for the entire journey). The car loves to run and was comfortable cruising at 135 km/h.

The car has a LOT of cowl shake and judder over bumps and it feels VERY heavy. A cruiser, not a corner carver, which is OK. I think I will add a strut brace and perhaps some sport springs.

I I want to take care of it, but I'm not sure it will fit in our garage. I would hate for it to sit outside in all weather. I want to hold on to this car for 10 years or more.

I look forward to reading more about fellow owners experiences.

Thanks again for the advice. Looks like I've joined the Volvo tribe...