1998 Volvo S70 reliability

[Kuato]

A friend is looking at getting an older Volvo, Manual transmission, FWD, believe it is non turbo. About 120k miles on it and it has the 5cyl, 2.4L engine.

I recall that several members have older Volvos and most are reliable with proper maintenance. He's doing his research elsewhere online, but asked me and I don't know.

So for those who DO know, what can he expect if he picks up this vehicle?

 

[LazyDog]

I have the same car at that mileage timing belt and PCV are the 2 main things. You might also have to address the suspension and ABS module which the soldering goes bad, easy fixed. The cars can go a lot further w/ some TLC.

 

[dadto2]

I had a 99 S70 from new until about 6 months ago. Donated it at 276k miles on it. It was a fantastic car. The timing belt is a 105k interval, do the water pump and oil vapor trap (pcv valve) while you are in there. I had to replace the electronic throttle control at about 220k. No a spot of rust on her after 21 years. I miss it.

 

[MacManus99]

A friend is looking at getting an older Volvo, Manual transmission, FWD, believe it is non turbo. About 120k miles on it and it has the 5cyl, 2.4L engine.

I recall that several members have older Volvos and most are reliable with proper maintenance. He's doing his research elsewhere online, but asked me and I don't know.

So for those who DO know, what can he expect if he picks up this vehicle?

Your friend should not get that car. You should send me a link to the sale, and I'll make sure that he doesn't buy it.

 

[LazyDog]

The 99 have an electronic throttle module/ ETM, the 98 is the last year of the cable.

 

[Passport1]

My two Volvo experiences are with older rear wheel drive models so I can't add to the prodigious knowledge base here. In general Volvos are no more reliable than most quality cars however they are much more durable than most cars.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I only have one Volvo experience.
2000 C70 coupe hardtop, low-pressure turbo.
Outside of a throttle position sensor and a weird vapor code-throw that could be reset, it actually was good. The thermostat needed replaced once.
It was taken care of fairly well. Quick off the line, easy oil changes, turbo always worked, seats were glorious, zero electronic issues.

 

[JC1]

Based on what I've been reading they are good cars of they were maintained. If I ever needed to buy another car, I'd give Volvo a look. I'd prefer a wagon for its versatility.

 

[2EHA]

bad PCV blew out the cam seals old my 5 cylinder S60R, there’s a lot of little crevices in the manifold where oil can sludge up and block stuff too.

go put a balloon, rubber glove or something similar on the oil cap. if it stays inflated you need to take care of the pcv system

 

[Motu]

I've had a '96 850 T5 sw for 6 years now, it cost me $500 and I've put at least 3 times that into it...but I'm sure a $500 96 Camry would need much more spent on it and not be as reliable or fun. Tyres, radiator, battery, suspn parts...all what you would do on any old car over that time. The only breakdown has been a fuel pump.

Love the power, handling and comfort, and the load space. Dislike all the hard brittle rattling plastic, rides terrible on the low profile tyres and hits bumps sounding like I've just smashed a wheel, normal for an 850, but I hear the V70 is an improvement in that area. I should get rid of it, get something smaller - but it just does it's job so well, and it makes me feel part of it, a great driving experience. The T5 is a sleeper...c'mon you Boi Racers, pick on me...dare ya.

 

[meep]

Several spot-on posts here. I’d be all over that car. It’s hard to find a surviving 5 speed Volvo, hard indeed. Yep, pcv oil trap is a likely thing, and user replaceable if he’s got a little experience. The engines in these go forever.

My two Volvo experiences are with older rear wheel drive models so I can't add to the prodigious knowledge base here. In general Volvos are no more reliable than most quality cars however they are much more durable than most cars.

Spot on Here.

ive had 3 s60s and enjoyed them all. They all had a very special quality about them, like the designers and manufacturers actually enjoyed building these cars. They felt special. The seats were fabulous. The driver space was very well thought out. We still have one, approaching 200k. Little things break on it. We fix it. Nothing hugely bad has gone wrong with it. It’s sure footed and surprisingly good in snow.

m

 

[Kuato]

Thanks all. He has decided against it based on the dash lights. I told him about the soldering for the ABS but he is not interested.

Since some have expressed interest, here is the link.

https://www.coolridescoloradosprings.com/inventory/1998-volvo-s70-base/317038

 

[zorobabel]

They took out the floor mats so they can sell them to you later

 

[jstert]

i bought a u.s. spec volvo 245 wagon new in 1993 in japan, drove it in saudi arabia, sold it in korea in 2005 at 80k miles. drivetrain and body were fine to the end (5k Mobil 1 oil changes with mostly short trips), but every other little thing imaginable was trouble. it ate fuses like m&m candies. unless you have time, money and expertise to keep at it, walk away.

 

[Redright9]

With the usual "with proper maintenance" that car should run for a long time. '98 was the last year the where the electronics were simpler as well. You can get a key cut for it and don't need to program it if I remember properly...

 

[kebabaluba]

2.4 non turbo are solid engines if maintained well, and they really don`t need much maintance either. With cam belt change interval at 100k or 10 years its one of the longest intervals among many other cars. Mine engine doesn`t even have EGR valve, not sure if that the case with american sold Volvos. I had my car for 12 years now and only maintance i had to do is change cam/serpentine belts, plugs and engine oil. Use quality engine oil like 5w30 Full Synthetic and you got a seriously good used car.

 

[meep]

Shoot, the turbo ones are easy to live with too... it’s a lower pressure unit that simply doesn’t overwhelm the white block motor at all. The 09 T5 I had was a supremely balanced engine for what it was. that is one I regret selling, but it went to my neighbors son and they all love the car and that makes it worth it.

 

[L.E.V]

I own a 1998 S70 non turbo which I purchased in June 2020 from the grandson of the original owner. The car had 174,000 miles when I obtained it and it now has 196,000 miles. On balance it has turned out to be a very reliable car. I really like the handling, steering feel and decent fuel economy; about 27 mpg on the highway. Since I've had the car, I've done quite a bit of work to it including, Mass Air Flow sensor, camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, T.P.S, cap and rotor, wires, spark plugs, ignition coil, heater core and heater hoses, upper and lower radiator hoses, transmission torque mount, pads and rotors on all four wheels, alternator, starter, belt tensioner, v-belt, thermostat, coolant temp sensor, cabin air filter, front struts and the dreaded PCV system. I am very pleased with the car and look forward to driving it for a few more years. I am running either Pennzoil 10w40 conventional or Formula Shell 10w40, both available at Home Depot; car seems to like 10w40 year round. Very low oil consumption at this point; one quart every 3,000 miles..All in all, I'm very pleased with the car.

 

[Oillover]

i bought a u.s. spec volvo 245 wagon new in 1993 in japan, drove it in saudi arabia, sold it in korea in 2005 at 80k miles. drivetrain and body were fine to the end (5k Mobil 1 oil changes with mostly short trips), but every other little thing imaginable was trouble. it ate fuses like m&m candies. unless you have time, money and expertise to keep at it, walk away.

Fuses and light bulbs are the regular diet of a Volvo.
Seems like later models didn't fair much better (similar electrical issues).