1998 V70 turbo reliability?

[rspi]

It would be hard for me to own a car that is NOT turbo. I enjoy driving to much.

I have read of these turbo's lasting more than 380,000 miles and still going.

[Jush]

I always wonder why people doubt the reliability of these cars. That was my main reasoning for buying one in the first place. And it's a good choice to go pre-99 if you can, that may be just a suspicion of mine since Ford "took over" in 98 but I don't think quality really deteriorated until recently. I just like the P80 platform.

Anything earlier succumbs to age at that point. Lemons will always be lemons, I just find that it's harder to find a Volvo lemon unless someone takes no care of their car.

From working at a Volvo garage for a while I noticed this pattern so it comes from first hand experience.

Also if you do go turbo, I highly recommend replacing ALL (at least the 4mm) Vacuum lines. That way you have sort of a "clean slate" cause a vacuum leak can be extremely difficult to locate at times. go silicone as well, costs about $20 and will be the best $20 you've spent.

[jblackburn]

The oil leaks will drive you crazy on a turbo model. Once you fix something, it will start leaking somewhere else a month or two later. That said, the power availability is absolutely worth dealing with it...in normal driving, it's almost always got more power in reserve if you need it.

The suspensions are a weak point on any of these cars.

Other than that, parts get old and break on any car. Ford has nothing to do with any of this generation of Volvo.

[ChiNorm]

don't need peppy, my daughter will be taking her driving test in it!

You'd want a 240 wagon. My sister can't seems to kill hers.

A 240 (or any) wagon can be a very dangerous car for a teen age driver, given that at least two people can comfortably lie down in the back when the seat backs are laying flat.

A NA car is perfect for a first time driver. It isn't easy to get into trouble and it will protect you very will if you do. The power is more than adequate at low to moderate speeds.

I heard from my mechanic that the man who purchased my tuned '96 854t5 let his son drive the car. The kid obviously was not prepared for the amount of power, lost it and hit something real hard; as one front wheel was almost completely broken if half. He killed the rack and a whole bunch of other parts as well.

I do recall that I made sure to grab the steering with both hands before I would floor the thing. If tuned, the motor is a beast.

Good luck.

[kmesse]

haha, i actually thought about that lying down thing. For camping anyway. Wondered if the seats folded flat on the V70's. She's actually a very responsible driver and kid - happily.

Thanks for everything. Out looking this weekend. Found the car buyers guide posted here, armed to the teeth with lots of things to look for. 98 V70 for $2400 just in is one of them.
Love this forum.

Kevin

[kmesse]

Well here we go. Found a local volvo mechanic with a 98 V70, 150k mi, for $2400. Saw smoke out the dipstick so for an extra $150 he will put in a new PVC and clean that stuff up. Not a turbo. Otherwise looked great and a great deal. Love the idea of a familiar car to work on, but don't want to work on it. Same sticky knobs that I cleaned in the S70, but no other ugly stuff like door pocketing, squeaky dash, broken shift knobs, etc... bright red for visibility. Accidents are on the rise big time around here, want safety. We'd pocket an extra $1100 for later repairs.

The alternative is something we may be able to afford - found a 2001 subaru 6 cyl outback, 170k, mint condition sunroof for $4500. Very well maintained, new tires, drove sweet. I'm leaning towards that when I compare the two.

What would you do?

[precopster]

The Subie by a long margin even for almost double. You can't compare a car designed in the early 90s to the newer Subes. The flat 6 is a great engine. 2001 Subes have good crash rating too.

[kmesse]

yeah, looks like the Subaru is winning out overall... way too good of a deal to pass up.

[bill d cat]

Regarding Volvo turbos -- the high pressure turbo motor is somewhat overengineered with a crankshaft that's forged, not cast, a beefier engine block and sodium-cooled exhaust valves. There have been plenty on issues maintaining my car over the last 200K plus miles, but the drive train has done fine. (The turbo oil return line "O" ring has been replaced a few times, but that's a pretty cheap and easy repair. The "O" ring cost about $3 IIRC.)

Did Subaru equip their cars with side airbags in 2001? (I thought the Volvo 850 was the very first car with side airbags.)

Look at cars a few years newer and pretty much every car has all the new major safety features -- ABS, plus side and head airbags.

[kmesse]

yes, the 2001 Sub H6 has side/head airbags.