CD Article: Volvo V70/XC70, 2001-2007

[CD_Editor]

Used Vehicle Review:


2001-2007:
Pre-2002 V70 and XC70 (cross-country) Volvo wagons offer "below average used vehicle ratings" but newer versions "seem to hold up pretty well for the first few years," says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.

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[Car guy - Big Time]

These are great cars, very strong outer shell. These cars last a long time and keep the price on it. There are some reliability quirks, but those are mostly on minimal.

[sailor723]

I'm surprised at how high the redbook pricing is quoted for used V70's. I would have thought used prices would have begun to reflect the strong dollar and the availability of US imports. I wonder how long it takes redbook data to reflect market changes?

[banfield]

Many years ago I was very unhappy with the reliability of my Volvo sedan (which I bought new).  About ten years later a friend bought a new turbo-charged Volvo wagon and eventually ran into horrendous repair expenses.  I agree with the reviewer's observation that subjectively (i.e., the basic driving experience) these cars are wonderful, but I wouldn't touch one unless I had a spare ten thou or so hanging around for contingency purposes.

[Laurent]

I am the proud owner of a 1987 740 GLE wagon with some 335,000 km on it. I am always surprised at the many problems some drivers have with Volvos. I am also happy driving my second Jetta diesel. Other than wear items and regular maintenance my cars have served me quite well.

When I look at the WEB you can find problems with any cars. So when I see reliability ratings I wonder how "reliable" they are.

If you have a Mercedes and a radio buttom falls off its a scandal, if the same happens with your Chevy, no big deal, you don't really need one to operate the radio.. People think than just because you pay more for a premium car nothing can go wrong.  Some folks should start by reading the owner manual.

LC 

[ktm525]

Volvo has confused stiff compression damping with stiff springs in the R models. With a proper (stiffer) spring and less compression damping this car would be awesome. Unfortunately the ride is a little too crashy for the handling benefits provided. That fact and the fact that I don't trust a hyper-charged powertrain in the long run (R's 2.5L making 300HP) will mean that I will hand back the keys after my 3 year lease.

.

[mrthompson]

Will you be forced to put a set of tires (used) on the R before you return it?   

[ktm525]

Will you be forced to put a set of tires (used) on the R before you return it?   

 I already replaced the Pirelli P Zero Rossos at the 16K km mark. I am running two sets:

Spring/Summer/Fall: Hankook Ventus V4ES

Winter: Hankook W300 Icebears on a seperate set of wheels.

Hopefully the Ventus will last through the summer.

[Bullet Blue]

I am the proud owner of a 1987 740 GLE wagon with some 335,000 km on it. I am always surprised at the many problems some drivers have with Volvos.

Same! The 240 just hit 320,000 last week.

[huota]

I am the proud owner of a 1987 740 GLE wagon with some 335,000 km on it. I am always surprised at the many problems some drivers have with Volvos.

Same! The 240 just hit 320,000 last week.

There was a 245 mail delivery car in the northern Sweden that at some point hit 1,000,000 km and kept on rolling. The details escape me, but I seem to remember that it had a replacement engine, though.

[ktm525]

I am the proud owner of a 1987 740 GLE wagon with some 335,000 km on it. I am always surprised at the many problems some drivers have with Volvos.

Same! The 240 just hit 320,000 last week.

There was a 245 mail delivery car in the northern Sweden that at some point hit 1,000,000 km and kept on rolling. The details escape me, but I seem to remember that it had a replacement engine, though.

Unfortunately the  R is no 240. My P1800 on the other hand is a little tank.