Volvo S70 - Opinions/Information Needed

[Robert]

I would like to purchase a 2000 S70 from a local dealer. It has close to 100,000 miles on it. I will do no more than 5000 per year. How many miles should I get without having major repairs? What will repairs (all kinds) probably cost me in years 1 to 5? Dealer wants $7900.00.

[Guest]

Well there seems to be an ongoing expensive and possibly dangerous problem with Electronic Throttle Modules failing in 1999-2001 S70's.
1998 S70's didn't have the Electronic Throttle Module.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... php?t=3830

Pressure Increases on Volvo to Pay to Replace Faulty Electronic Throttle Modules

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NHTSA Action Number : PE05041 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : VOLVO Model: S70
Manufacturer : VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. Year : 1999
Component : VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Date Investigation Opened : July 26, 2005
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-ONE (131) CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING A VARIETY OF CONCERNS RESULTING FROM FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE (ETM) IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, INCLUDING A SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED AND STEERING ASSIST WHEN DRIVING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STALL WITHOUT WARNING. IN SOME INSTANCES, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLES WOULD RESTART, AND IN SOME CASES THE VEHICLES WERE TOWED. SOME CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT AFTER HAVING THE ETM REPLACED THE NEW COMPONENT FAILED IN A SIMILAR MANNER. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.


NHTSA Action Number : PE05041 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A
Make : VOLVO Model: S70
Manufacturer : VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. Year : 2000
Component : VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Date Investigation Opened : July 26, 2005
Date Investigation Closed : Open
Summary:
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-ONE (131) CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING A VARIETY OF CONCERNS RESULTING FROM FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE (ETM) IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, INCLUDING A SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED AND STEERING ASSIST WHEN DRIVING IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STALL WITHOUT WARNING. IN SOME INSTANCES, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLES WOULD RESTART, AND IN SOME CASES THE VEHICLES WERE TOWED. SOME CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT AFTER HAVING THE ETM REPLACED THE NEW COMPONENT FAILED IN A SIMILAR MANNER. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

[Robert]

Wow. That's good to know. Thanks.
Can you recommend a good value Volvo model/year?. I'm looking to spend no more than $8000.00

[matthew1]

'97 850s and '98 S70s and V70s have good reputations here and at other forums.

In my opinion they represent the apex of the FWD reliablity curve.

1999-01 you have the $1000 ETM problem mentioned above.

2002, 03 still a little early to tell.

[Mr. Norm]

Don't overlook the last of the RWD cars, 960 and S90. Not as quick as an 850, but RWD.