My 2000 V70XC SE was on its last legs with 107K and a failing driveshaft, ABS module, original timing chain, weird shifting, etc., so my wife and I took the plunge and bought a low-mileage 2004 XC70.

Most people would have moved on from the marque and sworn off Volvo, but I'm either an optimist or hopelessly gullible.

The 2000 was not a total failure. We drove it 55K very hard miles and for the first year and a half (while it was still under warranty as a CPO car), it was good. Not great, but good. From Day One, it always did some flaky things like the cruise control just refused to work some days.

Right around the time the warranty expired, the whole Check Engine light thing started up and it got to the point where I just ignored it. Any inquisitive passengers just got a shrug as if the car were a Lamborghini or something with esoteric wiring issues.

I think they must flip a switch on the car right around the time the warranty expires.

In any event, fingers are crossed on the 2004. My understanding is the 2003 and later are a vastly improved car. It certainly feels that way in many respects. The 2004 is a more sophisticated machine on just about every level.

Time will tell. Thanks for listening.

 

Thanks for sharing. This parallels some of our own experiences with our 2000 XC...when it was running(!). We've debated pros/cons and are now looking to upgrade, too. Rgds.

 

If I had it to do over again back in 2005, I would spring for a V70 instead of a V70XC. It would've been a more reliable, less thirsty car with decent foul weather grip and lower maintenance costs. My next "station car" will probably be either a V70 or V50 with FWD.

 

We love our V70, and our S80 and the gas milage for such cars.