Hi all, I'm new to the forum, but not new to volvos.

I'm looking to buy a V70 and I've come across a 1998 GLT and a 2002 awd. I'm wondering, does the awd come with a turbo? And is the newer car worth the extra $. Some things that matter to me are size (I want a big trunk) and reliability.

Any info is appreciated as I tried searching for this, what I would have thought, common question with no luck. Thanks.

 

AWD + Turbo = Yes. There IS a common thought that 98 as pre-ford ownership is a good thing. But don't have/have never seen hard data facts to back that up. Space is great in both years that you mentioned. I have a 98 V70 with AWD and love it, but if awd fails it is very expensive. Many owners have decided to leave their awd fwd when that happens, which is easy enough to do. Most on this board know more than I do so see what they have to say.

 

Would the '02 with about 40k km (that's about 25k miles) be worth an extra $2000?

Looking at the spec sheet they look really similar, the 02 just marginally better is most areas, ie. 197 vs 190hp.

 

Hello, 1998---->has cable controlled throttle; worshiped by many. 2002 V70 has the newer design (at least in the USA) ETM. If it's the '99-'01 original ETM then prepare to hear people howl about it. A replacement rebuild is ~$600. Is the GLT FWD or AWD? Drill a drain hole in the transfer case of either (if it's an AWD) and replace the fluid. Check the fluid in the transmissions and transfer cases of either of these cars before buying. The Volvo claim that fluid is lifelong is perverse. The older AWD system required 4 matching tires. This would be the case in either of these two cars. Think long and hard if you need AWD. If you do get it buy a 5th mounted tire of the same type and do 5 tire rotations. If you lose a tire you still can drive economically. Having to get rid of 3 good tires because I trashed one of them would bug me. Personally, I wouldn't bother as I don't need AWD. The 2002 has linked computers all over the place-11 or 13 of them. The self dimming mirror in my car has a e-brain which is shared somehow with the sun roof. Who needs that kind of garbage? The ACC system in these cars has a brain (my 2002 has manual AC at least, thank you). Some of the 5 speeds in '01's and '02's are questionable. The 1998 has a gold standard 4 speed. Depending on the details like mileage and condition, I'd give the '98 seriuos consideration. I had a 1999 and it's still in good shape. There's more to it than Ford getting majority control in April 1999. Rushing AWD to market, buying a weak ETM the first time round is another. Adding all those computers is a boon for a systems tester who can plug the car in and run everything from a laptop (I've seen it done) but it doesn't do a damn thing for you. They charge you a fortune if they need to go that route. Fortunately not every repair requires such hooking up. Kira