Currently own a '01 S40 (original owner, just turned 80K miles) and have decided that my Toyota 4Runner is a bit too much car for my 50 mile daily commute (especially at 12mpg) and I don't get off-road enough to justify it. Despite a couple of problems with the S40 (damn leaky heater core, exhaust studs and leaky turbo oil gasket), I'm happy enough with it to want to stay in the Volvo family.

Looking at picking up a V70 in the $5K-8K range and am seeing some availability of XC models. I've read through the top 15 pages of the V70 forum and understand that there are some problems with the AWD of the XC and R models (costly angle bearing).

What are your thoughts on the AWD for daily driver/commuter usage? Would those of you that have the AWD versions get them all over again if you had to, knowing this weakness? How about the expensive self-leveling shocks in the back? Am I blowing these issues out of porportion? Are these problems with most of the XCs, or do we just hear about them from a vocal minority?

Do I really need AWD? Probabally not, since it rarely rains too bad here in San Diego. Would I like to have it? Of course -I'd rather have something and not need itthan need something and not have it. Plus, the XC is a smart looking model with it's fancy plastic cladding and increased clearance. However, if the reliability is as bad as some might say, I'd want to steer towards a FWD model.

Any other advice on model years to look for or avoid would be appreciated (or links to other reviews/previous posts).

Thanks for your help.

 

Hi DJ Erik D, With a 50 mi. commute, the V70 will get better gas milage, have less problems and they are still good in the snow. (what's snow,you say?)It's a better choice, especially in SoCal.

 

I would go with a V70 T5. The AWD would be a waste of money in my opinion.

 

Eric and Jim,

Thanks for the advice and sanity check. The reality is that I'd actually need the AWD as often as the 4x4 in my 4runner...maybe once or twice a year - definitely not enough to justify it.

As I really like the oomph from my S40's LPT, the thought of the the GLT's LPT or even the T5'sHPTis more than enough to make me forget that it won't be AWD.

Would you recommend sticking with a 98-99? There's a nice 2001 T5 available locally that looks really nice. With the ETM recall/extended warranty, are they now consideredcompetitive with the 98's reliability?

Thanks again.

 

Stick with 1998 only.

 

Stick 1998!!

 

Tech and S70Driver,

I read you loud and clear and will stick to the '98s.

Thanks again.

 

Today, I would up getting a '98 V70 GLT that just turned 100K.

Unfortunately, there's no alarm keyfobs and all I've got are two valet keys. But, I got a good deal on it and am now in search for the fobs & keys.

Thanks again.

 

Sounds like you did well.

The 2001 was the first year of the new design, and from what I can gather it's very much a first year car.

 

What color did you get? My V70 is a 98 GLT and it is a good running car with good looks. It's not quite as fast as my R's, but when I have two R's sitting there it doesn't have to be. It is not slow either by any means. I still want a 98 V70 T5M though.

 

Its white (as all of my cars have ever been, since they're cooler (here in the SoCal sun) and I find easier to keep clean). So far, I've been pretty happy with it. Just put it's second tank of gas in, and managed to get 22 MPG. Not as good as I'd hoped, but I have been pretty hard on the go-pedal testing this baby out.

I did the modified tranny flush last weekend and am now running Valvoline synthetic (Mercron V?). I was glad to see that the old tranny fluid was only brown and not burnt. I'd like to add the trip computer, but the local dealer wasn't very helpful, so it may not happen. The ride is a little rougher than my '01 S40, so will most likely replace the shocks and struts in the next couple of weeks (bilstein touring probabally).

I was looking for a T5, but couldn't pass this really nice GLT up. It's got enough giddyup to impress me, but not so much to get me into serious trouble.

The only real annoyances are the peeling door panels and the hood*. Does anyone know if that leather insert in the door panels is a seperate piece from the rest of the panel? I think it'd be easier to re-do if it is a seperate piece.

* I made the mistake of fully raising the hood to check the engine bay out and see whether I had the right fog light relay. My wife opened the garage door and it got caught on the hood. Bent it back against the windshield - to the tune of $1600 for new hinges, springs and hood. Filed the insurance claim even before I had added the car to the policy. Oh well, it was a good lesson learned.

Oh yeah - bought some fobs on eBay before I realized I could program our S40 fobs to work both cars. The Dealer up programming three of them to work on both cars (for free) - very convenient not to have to carry two fobs on the keychain. Got a key cut by the VIN, but it only works the doors. Apparently a previous owner had the ignition lock changed at one time. A minor inconvienence, but I'll add a new lock cylinder to my to-do list.

Anyways, so far I'm happy with the car and we're now a 100% Volvo family. Appreciate the guidance and advice received here in this thread - it's what got me to go with the 98.

 

I like white wagons quite a bit. Charcoal or tan interior?

Not much you can do about the door panels. Luckily mine are not doing that. Most people just try and find some replacement ones from a junk yard and some have experimented with reglueing them, but not sure how much luck they have had. The are vinyl not leather.

I was the same way when I bought mine, really wanted a T5, but I got a great deal on a very low mileage GLT and bought it. I replaced a Suburban with it and already had a 94 850 Turbo at the time.

So your wife raised the garage door and messed up your hood and you're still married to her?

 

White exterior with the tan interior. Not quite as nice inside as the really nice stitched upholstry in our 01' S40, but good enough. I might try to fiddle up a fix for the panels some rainy day, but it's not a top priority.

I made the mistake of saying that the accident with the garage door was my wife's fault. Her reply, "I don't have x-ray vision, so I couldn't see through the steel door and notice the hood was up. Anyways, it's YOUR fault for putting the hood all the way up." The battle was over right then and there, and I quickly admitted defeat.

I think the next one will be a '04 or '05 V70 T5.