Advice On V70 T5

[chimera]

I am currently looking for a wagon to drive around my baby daughter. After looking at a few S70 T5 sedans, I have decided that I will need a bit more cargo room and wanted to know more about member opinions of the newer 2001+ V70 T5 wagons.

I purchased my first Volvo new in 1995, and it's still my daily driver albeit it's been rather problematic after 140K miles with check engine lights, steering rack replacement, and O2 sensors. The performance and handling is still much like the day I drove it off the lot. Thus, I'm a return customer..

I am searching for a 2001-2003 V70 T5 wagon with over 70K miles preferably with a manual 5sp transmission. Are there any serious problems with this specific model that I should be aware of? I have searched carreview.com and most people had nothing but terrible things to say about this vehicle with its electrical gremlins. I also searched this forum, but have not found too many posts about the V70 at all.

I've done a search at autotrader.com and found quite a few 2001+ V70 T5 5sp vehicles in the $18-22K range averaging about 35K miles. I guess the good thing is that it's still under factory warranty--none had high mileage on them.

Any help is appreciated.

[Steely]

chimera,

First thing to do is read the pinned "Electronic Throttle Module" post at the head of this forum. Then do a search for "ABS". These two components are the major concerns in investing in a '99-'01 V70. Ours is an '01 T5 with 67K and we have yet to replace either, although I expect it to happen based on what I've read here and in other forums. I've replaced a vacuum booster (over a split seal) and normal things like brakes, tires and bulbs

As far as info on V70's...there are pages upon pages here and in other Volvo forums. I've learned stuff that my indy Volvo specialist didn't know!

The price range for a used V70 with low mileage (12K or so per year) sounds about right. If you can abide a couple of expensive and recurrent design flaws, join the club!

Good Luck B)

[Bay13]

You said you are looking up to the 2003 MY, so forget the 2001, and look at the 2002-2003, and you avoid the 1st generation throttle body design used on the the 1999-2001.

PS the 2001 models, most of them are out of warranty based on first sale date, not mileage, another reason to look at the 2002 and 2003s.

PSS don't buy a 2001 at car max with the car max warranty cause the dealers do not accept the car max deal because car max want's to send parts to the dealer, and thats not acceptable at any dealer.

[BenW]

For what it's worth, I just bought an '01 V70 T5 in Nashville and the thing has 62K miles on it and i dont lose any sleep in fear that the ETM will go out.

To me, its an acceptable risk in buying an out of warranty car, something may break.

I know, not everyone is going to agree with me on this one, but for every guy who has had an ETM failure, my guess is that there are 5 or ten that havent and have driven the cars just as many or more miles.

Now, that said, I would try to find an 02 or newer car.

The ETM seems to be the only real issue that I've read about with the early P2's.

[Guest Guest]

Thanks folks! I will refine my search for a 2002-2003 MY. Anyone have experience with the performance and durability of the clutch on the 5sp manual transmissions?

@Rich, I forgot that the factory warranty expires after 3 years.

After doing a little more searching, there seems to be quite a few cars for sale with 60-69K miles on them. I'm guessing that they are due for some major service (timing belt?) that has not been done yet. I was considering the 1998 V70 T5 (best build year?), but my wife really likes the body styling of the newer 2001+ V70 wagons.

Thanks again for the great advice!

[starfish]

You could buy a used anything and may or may not have any problems whatsoever. I own a 2001 V70XC myself and am very happy with its performance and RELIABILITY for the last 4+ years. I routinely see many 99-01's come in with original ETM's with high mileage and no problems. What would be wrong with buying a car that has been well maintained and possibly has had any common known problem already repaired with using improved parts?

I don't allow myself to think that a new car is of totally better design than a previously year model either. Often times newer model vehicles are built with cheaper quality, less reliable parts. I have been seeing alot of "FoMoCo" labels on parts in need of replacement on brand new cars that were never a problem on the older models.

[chimera]

I just test drove a 2002 V70 T5 with 5sp manual, and it started and drove just fine for the first 2-3 miles. While stopped in traffic, the idle started to surge erratically, but then it was fine again after I got the car back up to traffic speeds. No lights were turned on in the dash. I asked the owner about this problem and he stated that that was the first time it had ever happened. He was guessing that it could have been stale fuel in the tank.

The 2002+ vehicles are equipped with a Bosch manufactured ETM (similar to MM manufactured ETM). The mileage on the V70 was at 73K miles--could this be an early sign of the newer Bosch ETM going bad as well?

I am getting the feeling that I should stay away from all new Volvos. I'm liking my 1995 850 Turbo more everyday..

[chimera]

BenW,

I ended up purchasing an '02 Moondust V70 T5, but with automatic transmission. Hopefully, it will provide safe and reliable use for the next couple of years. I already know how fun they are to drive..

Although silver was the color of choice, moondust looked pretty cool as well as it's quite unique on how it can change colors depending on the way the sun shines on it. Have you ever seen it turn purple?

Cheers!

[BenW]

Yeah for Moondust.

Isnt it kinda cool how sometimes it looks bluish silver and other tims it's greenish silver.

Hey, do you have the roofrails? If not, do you want some? I have a set of roof rails taht im willing to trade straight up for a set of moondust trimstrips. Lemme know. OF course,you need to take some photos.

ps, have you noticed how quite that thing is?

[chimera]

Yeah for Moondust.

Isnt it kinda cool how sometimes it looks bluish silver and other tims it's greenish silver.

Hey, do you have the roofrails?  If not, do you want some?  I have a set of roof rails taht im willing to trade straight up for a set of moondust trimstrips.  Lemme know.  OF course,you need to take some photos.

Still getting used to the color.. it is fun to look at sometimes. I don't have the roofrails on mine and really appreciate the smoother lines of the vehicle without them. I have a Thule roofrack in the garage whenever I need to load up gear. Bad part is that it can easily scratch up on roof when installing/removing.

I will try to get the wagon washed up next week to take some pictures. My wife wants to get the factory rear window shades, and a rear spoiler. I told her that the thing she really wants is a chipped ECU and a 3" downpipe. <grin>

There were some really great deals on '01 models, but after reading the reviews at http://www.carpoint.com between '01 and the '02+, I decided to pay the extra few thousand for the '02--still not sure if I made the right decision. The extra few thousand would go a long way for any added maintenance or repairs.