Looking at picking up a '99 V70, Auto, FWD. It's got 100k miles and just had the timing belt done. Seems to be well maintained. How relilable would a car like this be and what would something like this sell for? Just needing something on a daily basis that will be relilable and cheap.

 

Not sure about the 99 V70, but the 98 is a very reliable car. I know they had electrical problems with most of the 99-01 models and I stay away from them. Tech has said that he thinks the 98's are the way to go. I have a 97 850 R and a 98 V70 GLT. My daughter has a 99 S80 T6 that's a really good looking and comfortable high end car. I don't think I would trade her even for either one of mine and I paid quite a bit less. Just my opinion.

 

These cars are not very reliable at all I've owned four a 1993, 1997, 1998 & 1999. I currently own two a 1998 AWD with 135k that has been pampered and a 1999 FWD with 92k also pampered (I change the oil and tranny fluid every 3k) and I spend an about 5k per year to keep each of them running always dealer serviced.. Here's a list of things you should be prepared to fix on a V70 these are all repars I've had to do some numerous times and I'm sure I'm forgetting quite a few.....


Door Lock Actuators (fixed three times)
Window mechanics break and rattle mostly in drivers door and need to be spot welded or replaced (have fixed three times on two cars)
Rear main engine seal WILL go I have done two on the (1999) and three on other the 850/V70's I've owned ($$$$$$$)
If it's AWD the rear drive shaft center bearing will fail and this requires a new drive shaft ($$$$$)
Engine sensors - Oxygen sensors (numerous times) Crank position sensor & Cam position sensor, MAF sensor and many more
Front and rear upper strut bearing mounts (once on the 1998 twice on 1999)
Sway bars/bushings (once on a 1993, once on a 1997 & once on my 1998 & 1999)
Stearing rack 1998 (2k$$$$$$) 1
Turbo Oil Seal - SIX TIMES!!!!!!!! thee times on 1999 twice on 1998 once on 1997
Exhaust manifold and downpipe 1997 & 1999
Dash lights - Many and very expensive to repair do them all at the same time bulbs are a lot cheaper than the labor 1993,1997,1998,1999
In dash radio CD player fails I've replaced mine twice 1997,1998,1999
Interior panel on tailgate 1997,1998,1999
Air pump - this is an air pump in the engine compartment (I've done this twice) 1993,1997,1998,1999
Cam seals 1997, 1998
PCV system repair - If you want to help prevent rear mains from going you'll need to have a full PCV system cleaning once a year my dealer charges $485.00...
Catylitic converter - Have replaced two over the years one in a 1997 and one in my 1998 (and no I never drive with the check engine light on and always use super unleaded)
If you live in a snow belt you will eventually need to replace the e-brake cable and associated hardwear 1993,1997,1998,1999
Squeaks and rattles - to numerous to even begin listing 1993,1998,1997,1999
Climate control blower motor - I've replaced three of these $$$$$ 1997, 1998, 1999
Heater core - Two of these as well 1997, 1999
AC system (unless you live in the south don't even begin to throw money at this system you can't win - evaporator, compressor, relay etc. etc. 1993,1997,1998,1999
Noisy lifters/cam 1998,1999
Fuel pump 1997, 1999
Spedo failed ($$$$$) 1999
Seat heaters failed 1993,1997,1998,1999
Electric seat controls failed 1997,1998
Power window controls failed 1993,1997,1999
Numerous motor/tranny mounts (to many to count!) 1993,1997,1998,1999
etc. etc. etc...


As soon as I can convince my wife to drive a Lexus, Infinity or Acura we will be kissing Volvo's good by!!!

 

I don't want to jinx myself, so I won't say anything about not having any problems with our 2000 v70. It is a great car. The lack of delay wipers bothers me and the cupholders are a joke. Other than that, I love it. Ask for a repair history on the beastie. If there is a chronic repair history, take a pass.

 

I am working on my 98 v70 270,000km almost once a month. Almost everything but the engine has been repaired or replaced at some point over the last 10 years.
Youtube videos and order online parts.

 

my take is 1) its still a 17 year old car so expect things to fail from time to time but most can be handled by a moderately skilled DIY. 2) there are some common fault areas to look out for (note I would not say Halekai's list is typical by any stretch) - AC compressor clutches wear but can be reshimmed, AC evaporators can fail if the drains are not kept clean (big cost item to replace), clogged PCVs can push out seals so crankcase pressure should be monitored at your normal service intervals - but usually its the cam seals not the rear main. The coil packs (one per cylinder) seem to last about 100K miles so you may find they will start failing ($50/coil) over time. You should do a transmission drain/fill about now as well as a coolant drain/fill. A common fault of check engine lights are various vacuum lines and sensors. Note Volvo's use common Bosch and other Euro OEM vendors same as VW, Audi, Mercedes, BMW so the parts are available but may not be cheap.