I am considering buying this Volvo. Is there anything I should look for? The dealer has a very good reputation. The dealer stated he will offer the car for sale once he has replaced a item called the throttle body assy. The car has 115,000 miles, one owner, I already saw CarFax and a AutoCheck report I ran myself. Looks good.

1999 Volvo S70, $3,749 - Cars.com

 

Personally, I'd stay away from the S70's. I've owned two 2000 S70s (non-turbo) and have had nothing but trouble with irritating little stuff (broken dash mount brackets causing squeaks when you drive, etc.). Volvos are good, but my Volvo maintenance shop says the S70s were just not as good. Look for an early 2000's S60.

 

Thanks for the info ! Maybe that is why I see so many S70s being offered for sale here at low prices

 

This car looks to be a very well maintained example.

Reading the selling car dealers notes it is obvious from their comments that they are especially confident in marketing her.
To openly declare that it may be one of their best examples put up for sale could indicate that you may miss a good opportunity especially if you can get her for a good price.
Loose / squeaky dashboards are hardly major mechanical issues and a test drive on an unsealed road should display the cars rattles and squeaks, if any exist? sufficiently for you to gauge your degree of satisfaction.
At 14 years old it would not be surprising to have some rattles etc anyway.
It was interesting to note that they won't even market 2001-2003 models due to common known transmission issues so whilst their comments may be a little embellished in some aspects, overall she could be a great car for you to own and drive.

 

Thanks for the comments.....might be worth a test drive. It would be my first time driving a Volvo

 

That,s a little too much for a 99 s70.I bought mine 7 years ago for almost the same price.

 

Please, the S70 is a great car, one of the most comfortable I have ever driven.

I would NOT recommend you purchase an 850/S70/V70 unless you know how to turn a wrench. They do require a lot of maintenance.

 

Actually it's more the 1999-2003 or so MYs you want to avoid IMO; written about more times than i care to remember. Search my posts if you want more info.

We have a '98 S70 GLT and really love it. Did a bunch of maint items when we first got it and since then I rarely need to do anything to it.

+1 to what rspi said too.

 

14 yre old car at 115,000 miles...

It will need some level of work depending on how it was maintained.
- Struts. This means the mounts, bumpers and related components.
- Lower control arms. When you do the strut, replace them, They are cheap and easy to replace and the you will need a front end alignment.
- Check the rack and pinion for leaks.
- Check the emission hoses. the J hose is problematic but easy to replace.
- Check brake wear and feel to rotors to see how worn they are. You're looking for a ridge on the edge of the rotor. If its there, the rotor is worn and the pads may be worn or the rotors were not replace/turned when the pads were replaced.
- Climate control issues

We have a 2000 S70. Other than the above, its been a pretty reliable car. The biggest expenses were replacing the A/C compressor and the rack/pinion. Its comfortable to drive.

 

Brakes and struts/shocks are basic maint; going to do that on any used car.

Have you replaced/rebuilt the ETM or trans on your car yet? If no, I would start saving for it now...

 

I agree, its basic stuff; I don't factor it inot the purchase of a new car for that reason. However, if you are buying the car with very limited funds, its good to know what you will likely pay for early repairs. I did the work myself and the struts, control arms, guts of the struts and end links run about $400. It just adds to the what the cost of the car is going to be in the first year. Honestly, those items are trivial. The rest of the stuff I mentioned is neither cheap or trivial.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Although I rather like the style of this car and it has supposedly been well maintained, I think it would be prudent to pass. Maintenance/repairs where I live are likely very expensive (San Francisco) The indoor parking space I have in the apartment building I live in is not conducive to working on cars.