Hi everyone, you probably get tired of newbie questions but I could really use your advice. Had a number of European cars but never a Volvo. My wife wants a convertible and it seems the C70 is one of the best options out there. There are two for sale nearby, a 2004 HT with 72k miles for $6500, and a 2008 with 49k miles for $15k. Which would you recommend?

I'm thinking of safety, reliability, and integrity. The new one gets great marks for safety (couldn't find much on the old one), and I assume it quieter and has a more solid structure. I'm thinking the older top has less to go wrong, but I talked to one mechanic and he said it still costs a lot to fix. It also appears to have more power and less weight than the newer one. I think given its age the older one will need a timing belt service and everything that goes with that.

Both would be a daily driver, although not a commuter. I drove the older one yesterday and I'm on my way to drive the newer one now. Thanks in advance for your help.

Craig

P.S. Found one test, sounds like the new one is still sluggish off the line and has some body shake, so doesn't seem like much has improved in that regard. And I guess it's based on the smaller chassis.

 

Drove the newer one. More responsive off the line and smoother/quieter. Crazy center stack.

I wonder how that kind of roof can be water tight.

 

I would suggest the newer style. The older ones shake a lot at higher speeds. And if you have a problem with the top, it's basically dealer only.

So is the newer one, but we don't have too many problems with them actually. Of course, being newer, the book is still being written.

 

Good to know, thanks!