Looking at getting an '02 XC70. Anyone had any experience with this vehicle, or Volvo’s of it’s vintage? Any issues, bad, good, fatal, etc?
My wife has an 04 XC70 and loves it. So far no problems except changing headlights. My hands are too big to make this minor repair. Fortunately, at 60k miles the bulbs have only been changed once, within warranty. I only drive this car when it needs gas or the oil needs to be changed but based on this limited experience I would swear on a stack of bibles that it rides the same as it did new.
**I would swear on a stack of bibles that it rides the same as it did new. **
I’m fresh out of bibles, i’ll have to take your word for it.
I replied with some trepidation because recommending cars is like recommending stock to a friend. With that said, my wife’s previous car was a 98 S70 which we gave to my niece and still runs great at 130k miles. I like the fact that my close family members drive tanks.
We used to have one and loved it. The only problem I ever had was the stupid headlamps…not enough room to change them easily (glad I wasn’t the only one that had this problem!).
We had over 70k miles on it and still ran great. We got rid of it because it was too small to fit three car seats, otherwise we’d still have it.
Dan
excellent, good to hear. I love having wealthy friends who like selling stuff cheap!
I know you asked specifically about the v70 XC, but you did also mention any newer Volvo so I will chime in. We bought an '06 V50 T5 wagon last year. So far, we’ve been very happy with it. It feels ridiculously safe, it’s zippy as all get out, it’s very comfortable to drive, and it looks cool. Downsides? Less than great gas mileage (22 city, 30 hwy - I know, great by comparison but our other car is a small Subaru), a smaller cargo space than you would expect (largely due to the ginormous thingy that the cargo cover unreels from), and an epic 6 hour oil change the first time my hubby tried it himself (one must remove the engine air filter to get to the oil filter. Which is a cartridge type only available at… the dealership).
The downsides are strongly outweighed by the upshots, BUT… Six months after we bought it, we started having recurring problems with the outside temperature sensor/air conditioning. The two systems are tied, i.e. when the thermometer thinks it’s 25F outside, the A/C didn’t work. Not good in Arizona in the summer. It took four trips to the shop, with me insisting that the two systems were tied before they finally discovered a new service bulletin that (zounds!) told them precisely that. Stupid girl, what does she know about cars? Anyway, once that problem was fixed, things went smoothly until suddenly the passenger air bag sensor went weird and we had to have that replaced too. My only lingering complaint is that the fuel gauge is off by 1/8 of a tank, and they can’t get it to recalibrate. I know, nit-pick. But it’s a $30,000 car!
Bottom line? Would I buy another Volvo… eh. I haven’t decided. This one is still under factory warranty.
I recently read the Consumer Reports car issue, and was a little disappointed in Volvo’s marks for this year’s models, and some of the “newer” used ones as well. IMHO, the Ford pairing may not be so good for the company…
There is NO bad Volvo ; )
I’ve had 4, currently have a V70R wagon and a Mercedes SUV.
The Benz is a total POS ! Always at the stealership. Thank goodness we have the extended warranty. The Volvo on the other hand runs like its on steroids.
I’ve never had issues w/ my Volvo’s. Just regular maintenance is all. We are trading in the Benz for the XC90.
ITs true what they say in the ads…" Volvo For Life "
I’ve got an 04 XC70 and absolutely love it…unfortunately, it runs off the lease at the end of the month and I won’t be replacing it. It’s an affordability thing for me, nothing more. It has been an awesome car and I’ll hopefully get another Volvo in the future but time will tell.
Have an 00 and 01 xc, both purchased new.
At around 100,000 miles the 00xc started making a vibrating noise, which became progressively louder. Turned out to be a transfer case failure. The transfer case transfers power to the rear wheels. The guy who fixed it says that this will occur if the transfer case is not run full of fluid. (This local independent mechanic only works on volvos and has quite a good reputation) Apparently the dealership never bothered to check this little item as part of the routine maintenance.
Sooooo, if you are purchasing an xc, have the transfer case fluid checked. It could be the first time ever for that car. If it is low, watch out !!!
Over all these two cars have been great. Would get another without hesitation. These 2 just go on and on.
I like my volvo too 
just don’t ask me what year it is, or the model, or anything like that. I could tell you the color…