98 S70 133K Rebuild or Replace

Post by **tryingbe** » 24 Mar 2014, 16:11

Even if you get a S60, chances are you'll get needing a timing belt soon.

Post by **ThinAir** » 24 Mar 2014, 16:45

I inherited the same set of maintenance "issues" when I bought my S70. It is just the way it is for older cars. I say keep it, fix what you can (Spring is here) and enjoy your new ride!

J

Post by **cn90** » 25 Mar 2014, 08:12

Same situation for me last year, and since most of us here are DIYers, I was presented with 2 choices...

a. Refresh my 1998 S70 with 150K (bought it for $2000):
- Timing Belt $250 for parts
- Suspension front/rear shocks etc.: $800

b. Get a "new" 2005 S80 with 90K miles for $7000.

After some thinking, a car with 90K still needs some work (TB etc.) ---> I went with choice "a" above.

A year later, I am happy I did b/c the 98 S70 still runs fine. I saved $5000 from new car purchase.

However, I see nothing wrong with choice "b" either.

Different choices for different people.

"It is just money" lol...

Post by **rmmagow** » 25 Mar 2014, 10:54

Started pricing parts today,~250 for the tb, pump, and related parts, manifold ~150.00 for a stainless. Strut rubbers and shock mounts I don't really care about as I've gone through all that before. Seat, my indy's checking through his yard for one. I wanna do a timing belt job anyway so now's a good time to learn, the manifold I'll farm out, too much of a PITA. Struts, well, I may farm that out too since I don't feel like playing with spring compressors and such, we'll see. I'm going to ask the mechanic to evaluate my power steering issues as I can't quite tell for sure if the rack is OK or not. The engine, transmission, A/C, electrical are all in fine shape. So I'm going to fix it and hang onto it. Guesstimate is around $1200 to bring it close to perfection. If the wife wants something else, I'll figure out something for her. To show what kind of burnt out idiot I am, we are going to test drive a 1998 Infiniti Q45 this weekend, a luxo-barge would sure put a smile on her face and me in a grave.

Post by **jblackburn** » 25 Mar 2014, 10:58

1998 Infiniti Q45

Run away!!!

Nissans all fall to pieces after 10 years.

Besides, sounds like you've already committed to the Volvo

jmana · Post by **jmana** » 25 Mar 2014, 12:47

rmmagow wrote: To show what kind of burnt out idiot I am, we are going to test drive a 1998 Infiniti Q45 this weekend, a luxo-barge would sure put a smile on her face and me in a grave.

These are good cars, will last a long time, but they are so big and bland looking. Plus the V8 rear wheel drive would be a nightmare in winter. Funny thing is they get about the same gas mileage as an S70

jmana · Post by **jmana** » 25 Mar 2014, 12:54

jblackburn wrote:
1998 Infiniti Q45
Run away!!!

Nissans all fall to pieces after 10 years.

Um, and Volvos won't??? Maybe the older ones that don't have a letter in front of the numbers didn't fall to pieces in 10 years, but the newer ones do. The one I just bought has lived it's life in a garage, yet the interior is still falling apart as if it has been baked in an oven. And don't give me that crap about they made them with biodegradable plastic, that is such BS. Car plastic is meant to be recycled, not put in a landfill to biodegrade. They just used cheap plastic that doesn't hold up to heat, plain and simple. And when they started putting letters in front of the numbers, they also began using that horrid vinyl covered particleboard crap for door panels, and the lovely vinyl shrinks right off the panels. I don't think you'll see an infinity (or a Nissan for that matter) with that issue. Don't get me wrong, I like my car, but I'd never say it's one bit better than a Nissan, or any other vehicle for that matter.

Post by **jblackburn** » 25 Mar 2014, 12:57

jmana wrote:
jblackburn wrote:
1998 Infiniti Q45
Run away!!!

Nissans all fall to pieces after 10 years.

Um, and Volvos won't??? Maybe the older ones that don't have a letter in front of the numbers didn't fall to pieces in 10 years, but the newer ones do. The one I just bought has lived it's life in a garage, yet the interior is still falling apart as if it has been baked in an oven. And don't give me that crap about they made them with biodegradable plastic, that is such BS. Car plastic is meant to be recycled, not put in a landfill to biodegrade. They just used cheap plastic that doesn't hold up to heat, plain and simple. And when they started putting letters in front of the numbers, they also began using that horrid vinyl covered particleboard crap for door panels, and the lovely vinyl shrinks right off the panels. I don't think you'll see an infinity (or a Nissan for that matter) with that issue. Don't get me wrong, I like my car, but I'd never say it's one bit better than a Nissan, or any other vehicle for that matter.

Nope, they sure do - the interiors on Volvos don't stand the years too well. But friends with newer Altimas/Maximas (mid-00's) had the interiors hold up well, but so many mechanical issues at lower much lower mileage and years than my car did (and my car is NOT one of the more "reliable" ones on the board).

That said, they make a darn good V6

Post by **rmmagow** » 25 Mar 2014, 13:01

Before I caught the Volvo bug I drove Mazda 929's for some 20+ years. I owned about 8 of them over the years, all either 88's or 89's. My wife actually learned how to drive on them and actually had tears in her eyes when I sold off the last one. They were V6 RWD cars, nasty in snow without snow tires but OK with 'em. Lexus is too boring, Infiniti is pretty boring too though. FWIW I'm pretty sure I could get away with a Buick but I'm mad at GM right now for my rust-bucket truck. The S80 could go a long way to luxo-barge capability for her but the thing scares the pants off me. I like my old V70 and would be happy to stay with them forever and probably will. I'll take a shot at fixing her S70 as best I can and see if she's still pleased with it. I like to have lots of cars but maybe that's just a disease I need to get over with.

Post by **850 LPT** » 25 Mar 2014, 13:35

jblackburn wrote:
1998 Infiniti Q45
Run away!!!

Nissans all fall to pieces after 10 years.

Besides, sounds like you've already committed to the Volvo

A good friend of mine has an 06 Altima with 370k on it. Yes you read that right. It runs as strong as ever and he never does anything to it besides changing oil and the usual tune up stuff. I'd say that is very impressive.

Can't really say that from my Volvo....

98 S70 133K Rebuild or Replace

Re: 98 S70 133K Rebuild or Replace