Vehicle has 120ish... around 3 grand. Mechanic checked it out. bout 600 dollars in repairs needed. (though I can do some of this myself) Most striking issue was smell of vehicle when starting up -- sort of caramell like. Mechanic thought it was leaking coolant -- heater core issue. He looked it up and saw it as a 200 dollar fix. My research says heater core as well... and I ought to be be able to to swap out a new one relatively cheap from what I've read, so not too worried. (seeing this as < 200 fix if I do the work myself)

Basically in the market for an AWD wagon/mini-suv with decent gas mileage and performance. This volvo seems to fit the bill.

My biggest concern is that it'll be a money pit. (yes, do realize I'll have to spend some maintenance dollars... especially given age/miles) I read of some people who have a whole laundry list of issues with this vehicle... some that get by fine and love it. Sort of the same thing with the Subarus I've been reading about.

Anyhow... those with more knowledge on this vehicle than I, feel free to chime in. Leaning towards getting the vehicle as it fits my needs and is a pretty good deal. But I'm open to any arguments against this decision. I don't want a car that's going to become a maintenance nightmare... that's what I'm leery of here.

Also, two more questions:

1) MPG on the highway... I've seen 23, and I've seen 25 listed for this vehicle. Either would be OK -- those numbers often seen on this vehicle in your experience? Dang MPG display on the vehicle seemed to be stuck at 20... despite a nice highway jaunt. Not sure how to feel about this.

2) Anybody ever sleep in their v70 (99 model era) ? Speaking specifically of flattening back seats. Wasn't able to test this out... seemed as though the middle row couldn't quite go far enough forward for somebody around 6foot to fit.

Thanks.

 

Ah... so I am reading premium gas is needed. This certainly is not a mark in favor of this vehicle. I'm looking at doing lots of highway travel... it adds up.

 

i have seen the awd's cat conv fail around 120 - 130k, the rear driveshaft center bearing's are known to fail and last time i checked aren't sevicable, gas milage isn't all that great since it is a constant awd system. the angle gear seall leak and on some the threaded bearing race that must come out to replace an o-ring will come out a few turns and then lock up. and who can forget the ever so troublesome electronic throttle body. i just bought my 98 2 wd v70 and passed up on several awd's for these same reasons and i worked on these for 10 years. just my opinion though.

 

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-v70-13/looking-little-help-finding-awd-wagon-what-avoid-48255/

 

See your point. Deal is... need this for an application that involves driving in poor weather and on dirt/gravel roads. (storm chasing)

My basic criteria:

< 5,000 $
AWD/4WD
MPG Highway in the 20s at least
Good cargo room in the back. (ideally big enough that I could lay down)

From there... needs to be reliable. (yeah, not perfectly easy in my situation) So I'm all ears. I've started entertaining the thought of AWD Minivans even. Subarus are another option... though they have their own issues.

Where do you think the v70 xc I'm looking at it is in terms of reliability as compared to some of the other options I mentioned? (where similar miles/years are involved with other options)

 

if you get a 98 model then you don't have to worry about the electronic throttle body. rember this, volvos are designed and built in sweeden where most of the roads were dirt and they get a little bit of snow. if you get a front wheel drive and put some snow tires on it you should be fine. i just got my 98 v70 and it took a while to find a 2wd, there were plenty of awd's but from working at a volvo dealer as a tech for 10 years i knew what to stay away from. if you must have an awd then i would look at an 02 or newer. different awd system so the mpg's will be better and the throttle body is a "slave unit" and isn't a module or contain software.

 

Money pit, I bought mine in 2008, since put over 4/5,000 dollars into it with a lot of the work being done at home with discounted parts from Groton, it still has work to be done. Had Volvos since 1994 and this is the worst.

 

I've got a 98' V70, I've slept in the back three times without a problem
(I'm 6'5) - Seats fold pretty flat when you flip the headrests down.