sks40 Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 My 5-year love hate relationship with my S40 may have just come to an end. I had just put Koni's all around and new Michelins and the car was riding sweet. However, yesterday I was in a fairly serious accident that may have totaled my car. Thank the Good Lord that everyone is OK. I swore that I would never buy another Volvo (after owning 2) but the accident demonstrated why we buy Volvos. I was at a dead stop on the DC beltway and got hit from the rear by a car going 40+ mph on impact and pushed me into the car in front. The WHIPS did exactly what it was designed to do as did the crumple zones. The passenger compartment is completely untouched and I feel fine. This experience has me considering another Volvo. The V70 seems to meet all my needs for economy, comfort, utility, room and safety (except for questionable reliability). A V40 or V50 may also be ok. I had a '98 V70 non-turbo a few years back, so I have some experience. My question is for the V70 w/turbo (2.4T, 2.5T, T5, R), are there any years to avoid? Any years better than others? What about the XC70?Thanks in advanceStan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arbelac Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 99-02 ETM troubles on all vehicles (except C70 I believe) (fixed partway thru 02 - look for a bosch throttle body, not Magnelli)01 was a bad year for automatic transmissions.If you get an AWD vehicle (XC, or V70R), make sure the tires have been changed in sets. If going for an XC, try for a 03+ with the new haldex system.I've got an 01 V70 T5 with a manual... love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echristodo Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 If you like the size and nimbleness of the s40 but want to move to a wagon, go with a V50AWDT5M. They have 6spds and are sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmelviØØ7 Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 If you like the size and nimbleness of the s40 but want to move to a wagon, go with a V50AWDT5M. They have 6spds and are sick.Yeah I've been driving the GF's S40 2.4i for the past couple days and even with the non turbo engine it's a pretty fun drive. My only complaint is the blind spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spanky Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 My 5-year love hate relationship with my S40 may have just come to an end. I had just put Koni's all around and new Michelins and the car was riding sweet. However, yesterday I was in a fairly serious accident that may have totaled my car. Thank the Good Lord that everyone is OK. I swore that I would never buy another Volvo (after owning 2) but the accident demonstrated why we buy Volvos. I was at a dead stop on the DC beltway and got hit from the rear by a car going 40+ mph on impact and pushed me into the car in front. The WHIPS did exactly what it was designed to do as did the crumple zones. The passenger compartment is completely untouched and I feel fine. This experience has me considering another Volvo. The V70 seems to meet all my needs for economy, comfort, utility, room and safety (except for questionable reliability). A V40 or V50 may also be ok. I had a '98 V70 non-turbo a few years back, so I have some experience. My question is for the V70 w/turbo (2.4T, 2.5T, T5, R), are there any years to avoid? Any years better than others? What about the XC70?Thanks in advanceStanGlad ur with us this christmas Stan!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest John Callahan Posted December 22, 2007 Report Share Posted December 22, 2007 A Volvo is what you make of it. If you, as with any fine machine, treat it with respect, and take care of it, it will provide you with hundreds of thousands of trouble free miles and protect you while doing so. On the other hand if you drive it with disrespect, or so that you are a hazard on the road, it will turn on you, and rightfully so. There are limits to what anyone can expect from a machine, realize it and and you will receive a lot of satisfaction from your Volvo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sks40 Posted December 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 With all due respect, I am very careful and attentive to all my cars. My troubles with my S40 literally began the day I drove it off the showroom floor. Sometimes it is not nurture. I have had other cars that were absolutely trouble free. However, the experience with both of my Volvos ('98 V70 and '02 S40 both bought new) tells me that there are quality control issues and even design flaws (ie. weak solder joints in S/C/V70 ABS controllers). Sometimes it is nature.The reasons that I very well may buy another Volvo are that they meet my needs for the most part, are safe, I'm mechanically inclined enough to deal with the quirks and sometimes it is easier to go with the devil that you know.I know that there are folks out there who have had very good Volvo experiences. They are good cars. Maybe third time lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sks40 Posted December 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 Pardon my rant above. The dude just struck me the wrong way. Anyway, thank you all very much for the info. I am sure it will be of good use as I'm preemptively looking for a car in the event that mine is declared totaled. 99-02 ETM troubles on all vehicles (except C70 I believe) (fixed partway thru 02 - look for a bosch throttle body, not Magnelli)01 was a bad year for automatic transmissions.If you get an AWD vehicle (XC, or V70R), make sure the tires have been changed in sets. If going for an XC, try for a 03+ with the new haldex system.I've got an 01 V70 T5 with a manual... love it.Looks like if I stay with an '03 or newer I may avoid these problems.Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arbelac Posted December 23, 2007 Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 Yup, I was looking for a 03+ XC before I got my 01 V70T5M. I can deal with the ETM issues, cause the rest of the car is in pristine condition and I got a good deal Basically what I found: AWD equipped = 03+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lamar_159 Posted December 23, 2007 Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 I agree with the reliability issue. I've owned six Volvos, and none of them have been exceptional in terms of reliability. The ones that were "better", were only so because they were easier to fix on my own (i.e. 240s), and thus cheaper in overall maintenance costs. There's a reason why dealers say mileage doesn't matter when purchasing these cars; they will break down just as much at 30K as they do at 230K; at least, that has been my experience as a meticulous Volvo only owner. It can't be that all six cars were mere coincidences.With the above aside, if we're talking about driving experience (newer models), practicality, and safety, they are awesome--all very valid things to consider when buying a car...If you consider a manual transmission, you could be more flexible on the years you look at. I've had a '95 850, a '98 V70, and now an '01 V70 T5, all with the 5-speed gearbox. I never had any transmission problems with any of them. The '98 had 182K on it before it was totaled, and the '01 has 145K on the original clutch. The manual is harder to find, but well worth the money you save in maintenance and gas. I would venture as far as to say that you may be better off buying a pre 99 car if you can find one in really good shape, just to avoid computer problems and dealer-only repair solutions.Just some thoughts ..Good luck! :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dond Posted December 23, 2007 Report Share Posted December 23, 2007 I have an 03 AWD and do 220 mi per day 5 days a week commute. Best car I have ever had, absolutely stable @ 80 mph, great traction in snow and ice (w. the right tires and wheels), and the best seats.You cant go wrong with a 03+ V70 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sks40 Posted December 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2007 What kind of gas mileage do you all get with your V70's and XC70's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NGB Posted December 24, 2007 Report Share Posted December 24, 2007 What kind of gas mileage do you all get with your V70's and XC70's?We get right around 25 on our '01 V70 NA, very comfy car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watertender3c Posted December 24, 2007 Report Share Posted December 24, 2007 What kind of gas mileage do you all get with your V70's and XC70's?With my S 80, I average 24 around town and 26 to 28 on the highway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watertender3c Posted December 24, 2007 Report Share Posted December 24, 2007 With all due respect, I am very careful and attentive to all my cars. My troubles with my S40 literally began the day I drove it off the showroom floor. Sometimes it is not nurture. I have had other cars that were absolutely trouble free. However, the experience with both of my Volvos ('98 V70 and '02 S40 both bought new) tells me that there are quality control issues and even design flaws (ie. weak solder joints in S/C/V70 ABS controllers). Sometimes it is nature.The reasons that I very well may buy another Volvo are that they meet my needs for the most part, are safe, I'm mechanically inclined enough to deal with the quirks and sometimes it is easier to go with the devil that you know.I know that there are folks out there who have had very good Volvo experiences. They are good cars. Maybe third time lucky.Sorry, didn't mean to get preachy. It's just that I've seen so many people take a car that's meant to provide safe, reliable, and economical transportation and treat it like a race car or an off road vehicle, and then wonder why it fails. If a person wants to take a car and tart it up, ala Ipod, they should use it on a race track, Watkins Glen, for example. I have owned Volvo's for years and I guess I have always been fortunate to have good ones. I do my own maintenance and mechanical work so my cars are not at the mercy of the Dealer sledge hammer mechanics. Apparently you are the same with your cars and I apologize if I've offended you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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