1998 Volvo V70

I wanted something I could haul a decent amount of stuff in with AWD, but didn't want a sport ute. I needed something comfortable and safe, and if possible... something fun. I found it all in the V70 R.

These cars can be nightmares if not maintained proactively and properly... electrical problems may crop up, electric window motors, central locking systems, things like that, but I don't think they appear on Volvos anymore than on Audis or BMWs. NEVER buy one without a full car fax and confirming the service history... it might look good, but without the paperwork back up, just walk away.

I searched for 6 months on Ebay for V70 models, I was ideally looking for an R for the extra horsepower and improved handling. I found one that looked good... just 67,000 miles on it, a '98 model. The seller was a dealer with just 2 transactions on Ebay, and one of them had resulted in negative feedback, so I was skeptical of the car and the seller initially, but just 67,000 miles?

I ran a car fax and spoke with the service manager of the dealership that had sold and serviced the car for years (not the seller). All services had been done religiously, the guy stayed on the phone with me for 40 minutes while I asked about each service appearing on the car fax, confirmed the mileage readings etc. Everything checked out, the expensive and very important timing belt had been changed 3 months before I bought the car, the stars were aligning.

I won the auction and the car was delivered. These are very capable cars. Comfortable, easy to use climate control features, heated seats and mirrors are a nice touch for the winter. On the road it's a great car, quiet, solid on the road, great handling and when you pull out to pass on a 2 lane rural road the turbo spools up and you go from 55 to 95 in seconds, it's scary.

I hate to even bring up the one thing I don't LOVE about the car, it's so superficial, but the only cup holders in the front are the plastic "flip out of the arm rest" kind that really only hold cans of coke... no 20 oz. bottles or coffee cups. That's the only reason I put a 4/5 for comfort. The 2001 and newer models fixed this with cup holders in the console. In terms of real comfort, the seats are great and adjust every which way.

It's the details in these cars that make you marvel... the door pockets / storage areas in the doors are lined with a thin layer of rubber so if you put stuff in them it doesn't rattle around making noise. The fellas in Gothenburg thought of just about everything.

I had a tuner kid at a drive in restaurant who was with a bunch of guys in Mazdas walk by and say "Nice R man" with a little nod of his head. I was just there to get a burger, not to show my car, but who said a wagon can't be cool?

This car was advertised as good running condition. It runs but, you have to add water about every 20 miles, breaks squeel and the speedometer doesn't work. The odometer doesn't work either so who knows how many miles it may have. These things should have been disclosed in the advertisement.

I like everything about this car great cars alot of interior room ,safe most comfortable leather seats I have ever been in a bit of turbo lag on take off but once it gets going its fast

I returned the car. It overheated and the electrical system light came on not 20 miles out of Atlanta. This car definitely had prior problems. The lower dash panels on the drivers and passengers side both fell off while driving. The windshield whippers were both completely worn out as we found out when it started to rain. Had to pull off highway.
Not a good auto.

The worst thing about buying this Vehicle was getting the title. It wasn't with the vehicle at the time for pickup. It was still at the main office somewhere ? It has an ABS light on that goes on and off and a check engine light that I suspect to be an oxygen sensor or two to replace. The battery had to be replaced along with the windshield wipers. That didn't surprise me. In the listing review, it said that the radio didn't work but I found the code and it does work. The tires are almost new, the shocks are good and the ride is perfect. If I replace the oxygen sensors I think I can improve the gas milage. It gets 22 MPG on the hwy. I checked under the car and found that the heat shields are falling off so I have to fix that. The CV joints look like they have been replaced recently. There is some rust on the suspension but that can be remedied with a wire brush and paint. There is also some body rust ( cancer) on one of the doors.
This is my third Volvo that I purchased on Ebay and I'll probably buy more.

First, the seller documented every little scratch in word and via picture and I was pleasantly surprised that the car looked even better than the pictures--it has a wonderful shiney surface that looks like it was garage kept. It was a Volvo and I knew it needed a timing belt and other small preventive items,due to the mileage, but I have a good mechanic who fixed that and a few other little things for $500 and so the total car cost only $2700 for a car that will last more than 100,000 more miles--that is why I bought a Volvo and I love it--it drives really nice. Folks who originally buy Volvos take good care of them and then buy new ones around the time they need some preventive maintanence (timing belt), and I don't mind doing that for a good used car. I also love stationwagons and haul things all the time.

22/28 mpg the ultimate economy luxury suv, but dont let the station wagon fool you the turbo charged 5 cylinder engine will move on down the road and the trans chages out so smooth, 8 way power heated seats are extra nice, replacement parts are expensive but ebay is full of parts for this vehicle

the seller who sold this car did not tell everything wrong with this car. I am still fixing the car to make it ready for the road. The transfer case for the all wheel drive is still not working right and had to replace the motor.

Volvo overall quality has certainly declined.Interior components and trim crack,fall off,and discolor.The leather seats are poor quality and you can plan on recovering or replacing at about 75K.Performance and fuel economy are okay.Repairs are expensive.Overall this car does not even come close to the comfort,quality,reliability,and performance of my Chevy Caprice wagon.

I love everything about this car except I wish I had more leg room. The car was in great shape except the radio didn't work and the air conditioner needed freon. Those were very minor things.