I am in a market for used Volvo. I know that S80 got more reliable from 2002 going forward. What about V70? I know that 1998 was very good year for V70 but what about newer models? Is 2002 a good year or should I look for something newer? I did run search but I am not clear on the 2002/2003 models as some posts claim that 2002 still has the ETS problem.

Thanks.

 

I would go for a 2003 or 2004 if you are going with the V70.

 

Hi, to my understanding with Volvos one should avoid the first years of each generation. 850 92/93 weren't that good as 94to97. V70 second generation started 99 in europe and 2001 in US so I wouldn't go for 2001/2 models and the sad ETM mistake extends it I believe to 03. 2004/5 would be my choice.
Now driving 2x850-94 (reliable ones) and V70D5AWD-05 for only few months so far. The 5cyl engine design seems to be long lasting one.
br Tapsa

 

Tech I am happy to read your reply..I drive a V70 2004

 

Thanks to all who replied.

Should I assume that your comments apply to both AWD and FWD? I do not need AWD but I have been looking for two months for FWD and all I see is mostly AWD.

 

AWD cars were having some problems that they seemed to have fixed in the newer year cars.

 

Thanks tech.

One last question (I promise): If V70 had the ETS problem with 99-03 models, wouldn't that be the same for S80? After reading posts on this forum I got an impression that S80 2002 and up are OK.

 

Yes all the P2 cars had the problem. I would stick with teh 2003 and up cars. This way you pretty much know all the bugs are out.

 

Wife always wanted a Volvo wagon. I just got a '99 C70 and I love it so I'm considering at getting her the wagon (FWD). There are a few 98-01 for sale locally all with 100k+ miles and going for around $5-7k. Looking through these posts, seems like '04 and up are the best ones but they're too expensive for me. In another post quite a few of you recommended '98 over the '01. Is it because of the ETS? How about '99 and '00? My C70 has the drive-by-wire, but I can't locate the module to see if it's a yellow or white sticker. I only see 1 white peeling sticker towards the coolant bottle, but it doesn't look like a module box, looks like a plastic tube.

If '99 was the first year of the new V70 in Europe and '01 was the first year in the US, was the old V70 still manufactured and sold in the US between '99 and '01? Seems strange and not very efficientto build an old model concurrent to the new to sell in a different market.

 

98 is pre-ford, but after 99 ford took over..i think.
98's are supposed to be pretty good...i think.

 

Even if Ford took over in 99, existing cars wouldn't be immediate affected. So if the 98-01 US V70 is all the same vintage, then Ford shouldn't have much to do with it regardless of year. No sense in going back and revising production design like sharingFord parts.If the new V70 launched in Europe in 99, that would also mean all the development was already finished by the time Ford took over, and therefore shouldn't have much Ford input except for maybe some cost cutting after launch. Still, seems like 98 was a highly regarded year and if that's the case maybe 99-01 would be also. Just avoid 02-03.

 

98 only

 

99-01 had a lot of trouble with the electronic throttle bodies.