Hello I'm looking for some help. There is a 98 v70r with 94k for sale. I really like the look of the wagon. Im wondering if this is a good reliable car? It would be my daily driver. Thanks

 

Personally I like this generation Volvo - its essentially an 850T with a bigger turbo and a bit more tune. I'd buy one for myself. It predates the drive by wire ETM issues as well as the VVT so doing the timing belt is pretty easy. Key things for that vintage is 1) make sure the timing belt / tensioner / Idler is changed every 70K miles 2) test the PCV system - the PCV is under the intake manifold - you don't want that to get clogged as it will create oil leaks 3) refresh the tranny fluid using the correct type (consult the owners manual). Lots of discussion on how often - every 50 / 75 or 100K so I'd say check the color and the smell. Check for rust, particularly around where the front bushings for the rear delta links mount up (if you live in the NE or a rust belt state). If you go for synthetic oil, use a high mileage type with seal softeners. I owned an 850T since new and put 250K on it - and we let that go when we inherited a 15 year newer car. My son's daily driver is a 2000 S40 which is of a similar age. We do have maintenance to do from time to time (worst was failing a Mass. inspection due to rust on the brake hard lines ) mostly sensors/ connectors etc.

 

Not trying to rain on any ones parade - but a 25 year old car as a daily driver? Certainly until something breaks. Do you have the ability and knowledge/tools to be able to do your own repairs? If not when the radiator leaks and if you can find someone to work on a 25 year old Volvo (that knows what they are doing) and if you caught the coolant leak before it damaged the head gasket (more than it was) the cost to replace the radiator could be a good portion of the value of the car. If you don't catch it in time and head gasket damage occurs, those repairs will be way over the value of the car. KBB.com thinks that car is worth about $2500 if it needs nothing. I would be very suspicious of the mileage. 94k is ~3500 miles a year. Nobody drives a car that little.

 

Oh my yes. Yes it's a good reliable car. Read the 850 new owners thread. They like certain kinds of periodic maintenance. Mechanically it's an 850.

If you don't work on cars yourself, you could pass. You don't want to get into any sort of bad relationship with an "exotic" mechanic, you know. But you can decide on that.

 

good point. Not all markets have dealers or local indy's experience with Volvo so that's something worth researching. In New England there's a lot of shops with experience on Volvos and for the 850/V70s parts are pretty much available locally as well. In fact I have no less than 4 dealerships within 25 miles of me and a choice of indy shops with Volvo listed on their shingles so for me, buying a vintage Volvo isn't a leap of faith. As with any 25 year old car, expect repairs so its smart to see who can work on your car when needed.