I've looking at Volvo S70s under $5000. I'm a little worried about reliability. How do your volvo S70 treat you?

 

They are pretty reliable for the most part.
Try to get a 1998.

 

S70's are inexpensive to buy, but are not inexpensive to repair or maintain. I have one of the dreaded 99 S70's but it has never left me sitting on the side of the road. It has had minor electrical problems at times and needed a motor mount at 70K. But I also keep it serviced and I fix minor problems before they become major. I have been very content with the car ( 156K now)

If you want a car that you can ignore and drive 100K miles get a Toyota, If you want a Volvo be prepared to spend what it takes to maintain one. If you can't afford to fix it you won't be happy with it. IMO

 

Did you ever have to replace the ETM throttle body or have any issues due to the ETM after the new software came out. Im looking to buy a low millege S70 also and would like to get a 98 one with low miles but have not ruled out a 99 or 00 if I find one with low miles thats well taken care of. I love the classy design which they are not making anymore. There is a 99 S70 on ebay with only 57K miles but its all the way in Florida. Like a month ago here in Chicago there was a 98 S70 at the Volvo dealership with only 42K miles on it in mint condition and when I called the dealership to ask for it they said they sold it in 2 days. So thats the kind of S70 im looking for something with extreamly low miles like between 40 - 60 k range thats well taken care off.

 

I must be one of the lucky 6%, I never had any problems with the ETM on mine. But apparently lots of other folks did. I got a recall notice (of sorts) last year to replace the ETM and upgrade the software. Volvo extended the warranty to 10/200K for the ETM on 1999 and 2000 model years
Besides the dealers and Ebay, Craigslist and Yahoo's car finder are good for finding private sellers. Also seek out the local independant Volvo garages and tell them what you are looking for, many times they will have customers wanting to sell.
Good Luck

 

You are right.
If you can't afford to fix it you won't be happy with it.

Parts are pretty expensive so if the car has any faulty parts, then it costs two to three times more.