I saw this ad in my local area:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/pts/4362561169.html

Its hard to tell but sounds like the vehicle runs ok but still is being thrown away. I don't doubt it probably needs some major work, that being said I find it strange that the owner is willing to simply chop up the car. At my local salvage yard, I found a 98 V70 sent to the gaveyard because it needed a heater core. The owner is good guy and decided to replace the heater core and has the wagon on the lot for sale.

I understand the S70 and 850 are high maintence vehicle, but why have they suddenly become undesirable orphans? From what I saw of Volvos in the past, the 200/700/900 vehicles seemed to always be in demand.

 

The 98 V70 I would be interested in.


But let the 99 S70 in the CL ad go; it's a parts car now, and $999 is at least 2x what it's worth.

 

I know my 99 S70 has had many more problems over what my wife's 97 850 had. I am I to assume, that generally, the 99/00 S70/V70 cars were not as
reliable as the 850s?

If you are interested in the 98 V70, here is where it is located:

RICH'S VOVLO'S ONLY
1710 SE Brooklyn St.
Portland OR 97202
(503) 238-5355

Home - Vo-Vo's Only

The V70 was dark red and owned by an elderly couple. It was not an XC. When I sat inside, the interior was in pretty good shape as was the body. It was all stock with no mods. It even had a factory type upper engine mount bushing. I don't remember the mileage, but it was in the lower side of 120-140K.

 

These cars have been handed down to people that neglect them to the point that a heavy straw sends them tumbling down. Not to many people that let a car deteriorate can talk themselves into spending $2,500 or $3,000 to get it back in shape.

 

Then they ask someone to give them $900 for it when they know good and well it needs $3,500 in repairs ($1,500 in parts). Why would any of us do that when we can buy a clean one for $3,500 and not have any labor to add.

 

They changed at least 3 major systems on these cars in MY 99; didn't get all of them sorted out for about 5 years. Ironically they improved many of the mechanicals on the engines at about the same time. Consequently the engines from these are sought after by the high perf guys; they rebuild them and put 'em in their pre-99 cars.


All I can say about rich's is, don't walk, run away!!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vo-vos-only-Portland

 

Wow! Very entertaining read. I don't think I have ever read so many bad reviews.