I am considering buying a '98 S70 normally aspirated 5 cyl automatic with 104K for $4800, and it seems to be in very good shape. I am a bit worried about Consumer Reports' awful reliability ratings, and want to know what trouble I might expect. I am a Toyota person, and hate the idea of buying this car only to put money into it constantly. It has had 3 owners (two were relatives), and the first owner was totally **** - kept a log book of every fill up, etc. The guy has "all service records," and supposedly it has only been serviced at the dealership, and had the A/C serviced recently. Right now I don't have any other info about service it has had.

Is this car as scary to own as CS would suggest? Parts are supposedly horribly expen$ive.

Thanks

 

Not the 98. They do cost more to maintain most Japenese cars, but in my mind you pay for what you get. The 99-01 had more problems than the 98.

 

Any other input?

 

You are buying an eight year old auto!!!! Do not think for one tiny minute that you have a trouble free auto that will run with no break downs. Think about the transmission, the suspension, the brakes, all of the little ****ling issues with sensors, exhaust, and etc. Don't forget the expensive key fobs and lock system when those two go bad. I would not purchase such an old auto unless you can see the maintenance records and the Volvo has low, low miles. Your asian autos will outlast a Volvo 'maintenance' wise!
REG

 

Well my experience with japanese cars has been too good to be happy with less. I think I've made my decision. At this point in my life I can't take the added risk.



Thanks.

 

You should have a full inspection of the car at a volvo dealership before you make a decision. That is that I did what I bought my 98 S70 2 years ago with 84K miles. They will check every mechanically feature on the car.