Need '99-'03 V70 Buying Advice

andyleonard · Post by **andyleonard** » 17 Oct 2010, 12:26

I'm sure this has been beaten to death, but I can't find it. Help... and thanks for your indulgence.

I am currently running a small fleet of '97 850's and '98 V70s for the kids. I understand those specific models and years and trust them. We have 4 cars running and have a parts car and everyone is happy.

I am shopping for a newer V70 (not a student-quality car) under 100K for my brother and realize that I am scared silly by the bad press about the transmissions in particular and also the voodoo electronics in the newer cars. I can fix anything except a trans or mystery black boxes. The '98s are getting up there in miles and are thus harder to find. What am I looking for in the $5K range? What are the model year breakpoints? Is a '99-'00 the same as a '98 or not? Are the '01-'02 transmissions as bad as they sound? Is everything all OK again in 2003? I guess basically I need to hear what NOT to buy. Or do I keep looking for a granny's low-miles "98? Thanks.

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 17 Oct 2010, 15:56

If I were you, I would stick with a '98 S70/v70, a workhorse that just keeps running like the old 240's. The '98s were the last wired throttle volvo cars and with a great drive train that goes forever if maintained properly.

'99-02 ETM issues. '01-02 high tranny failure rate. So to avoid these issues you should look for a '03 V70, but you won't find one for under $5k. So back to the '98 V70.

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Oct 2010, 14:26

You're facing the Used Volvo Year-Quality Gap. Also known as Avoid '99-02 Volvos. There are many owners who have good samples from those years and will defend them to the death, but that's because they probably ignored Volvo's advice and changed transmission fluid, or were studious about tire sizes/brand matching on AWD cars.

Specifically, there are three problems with the Gap:

ETM, '99-01
Transmission, '01-02
AWD, up to 2002, if you're getting AWD

Used Volvo buyer's guide.

Post by **jblackburn** » 18 Oct 2010, 19:18

If the ETMs have been replaced on a 1999 or 2000 model, they're still perfectly good cars. They're just a bit different under the hood, and electrically, than the older models - I've noticed a lot of subtle differences between my '98 T5 and a '99 T5.

Avoid 2001's like the plague, and 2002's for the most part.

Japedo · Post by **Japedo** » 20 Oct 2010, 20:56

Our 2001 V70 XC had only the transmission problem at 88 miles. No other abnormal maintenance on this car and it is AWD.

176miles on it now, hard to say how many more trouble free miles this car will give me. But it's always started, not a single no start issue.. and on a scale of 1 to 10 my maintnenance rating is likely a 7.

I may be one of the lucky ones with my 2001, but im doubting it. Baught this car on ebay from some shadey used car dealer in houston. Had a bad feeling since first sight, and the lack of documented maintenance that was promised.
Yet it still performed well enough in the last 3 years that I am typing this.

But still, if you can afford it, seek a 2003 or newer

Japedo

JimLev · Post by **JimLev** » 22 Oct 2010, 17:05

Guess we must of lucked out with both the '01 S60 (90K miles) and the '02 V70 (120K), not one problem with the either the ETM or the trannys. Neither are turbos so maybe that has something to do with why we haven't had any problems. We just drive them and don't beat on them. I have another car to play with if I want to have some right foot fun.