One of my buddies recently bought a 1998 V70 GLT. Let's just say its in KBB "Excellent" condition, 100k miles.

He claims that this vehicle should last him 250k-300k miles. But he also intends to not maintain it (besides oil every once in a while, I guess), and use regular gas. I know Volvos are well known for their reliability, but how feasible is this?

 

250 to 300K, or more, is feasible but only if it is properly maintained. You kick a dog enough times it will eventually bite your leg off!

 

Just as a general rule. Are Volvo's really that reliable when compared to say a 1998 toyota camry? I know they have a reputation but it seems like to me that he thinks his vehicle is going to magically last double the length that my similarly maintained car is.

 

The repuation was created back in the 80s and early 90s when they were sticking diesels in the things and they broke down all the time.

They dropped diesel engines in the states, but CR still thinks back to the unreliable Volvos of years past.

Yes if you don't work on them yourself they are much more expensive than say a Japanese brand. Reliability is about the same if not better. (talking about ODBII and higher cars and trucks here)

Be careful what you read into about all brands every brand has problems, every brand has that one owner who doesn't take care of there cars and complains to everybody and creates a false impression of ______ model for the general public.

Things become biased.

I have owned Jeeps, Toyotas, Chevys, a Ford (they are as bad as they say lol JK) Subi, BMW, Mopar product, and a few more. They all had "issues" some more so than others. Some of it was my neglect, some of it was brand defects. The Toyota I had I must say was a lemon. My sisters Toyota is a lemon (still chasing down electrical issues since the day she got it)

Volvo V70 specific? Great cars, mechanically sound 98-early 00 good years; -- late 00-2002 I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole Lots of problems! Transmission, Angle Gear, drive shaft, lock issues to name a few. However 2003 and newer all problems resolved for the mostpart.

 

To summerize,
The answer is no.
If you don't religiously service it, at these miles it will start to fall apart rather quickly

 

I agree. You need to service them. Timing belts, oil changes, tuneups, alignments, brakes, air filters, etc. It is a lot cheaper in the long run to service the car than fix the stupid things that break because you didn't service it.

Running regular fuel is no big deal. I've done it since new in all of my Volvos 'requiring' premium fuel with ZERO issues after a combined 500,000 miles.

 

Your buddy is an idiot plain and simple.

 

Hi Sir Duke: Welcome to the forum.

The '98 V70 GLT is one of the best cars that Volvo ever built, just a well balanced car. I had a '87 740 GLE that was one of the lowest maintenance cars I have owned by far. I put 405,000 on the car and could have put another 200k on it but decided to sell it to a single mom for $7.38 and got a 960.

At 100k that car should have already had a timing belt done. They are due every 70,000 miles. If that has not been done, he will not own that car long at all. The PCV system and a few other normal wear and tear items will have to be done. And don't get me started on the suspension.

The best thing about '90 model Volvo's is that they will hold up very well if maintained well. My '95 has 200k on it and people think it's a '05. That was before I took the scratches out of the paint. When I get the seats reskined (drivers seat is torn where you get in the car - common wear spot), it will look even nicer. Anyone that is a DIY'er enjoys them. At that age, it will hurt to have a mechanic keep it up for you/him.

There are some S/V70's with over 500,000 miles on the original motor and trans.

 

my 98 xc70awd has 205k miles and runs well.

 

I have a 98 V70XC with 315k miles. Changing oil isn't enough! Gone though rotors, turbo motor, radiator, etc. Etc..Not that I'm getting rid of my car anytime soon but at the 300k mark it started to cost more than my average of $1k a year for general maintenance costs. Erie VoVo is my first stop for most parts for my car. She is going in for front rotors, oil/brake lines, new pigtail for fog light, heater core motor and a few other odds and ends next week.