Is a 1999 volvo s70 glt a expensive car to maintain?

hours · Post by **hours** » 24 Dec 2014, 01:26

like im 17 i make around 200$ a week so if i bought a 1999 volvo s70 glt with about 140000 miles on it is it gonna be expensive like to get the car fixed is it expensive or around average? my father said it is as much as a bmw?

Post by **rspi** » 24 Dec 2014, 05:23

Stay away unless you can fix things yourself.

Post by **rspi** » 24 Dec 2014, 05:28

Same car just a little older.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 24 Dec 2014, 05:29

Agreed. I got my 2000 V70XC when I was 17 in college and it had 115K on it with things already wrong. This car would be in the dump by now if it hadn't been for this forum and others like it. As long as nothing major (e.g. engine, trans, steering rack...) goes out on it, you can maintain it yourself for far less than taking it to a shop. If you're not ready to get your hands dirty and spend some time under the hood, then I'd avoid.

PS. rspi, love your videos!

Post by **abscate** » 24 Dec 2014, 05:56

Hours...I'm not sure how available parts are in China, that will depend on where you are.

If you are from SoCal, no problem.

Please make sure your posts conform to posting guidelines in the sticky above.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Dec 2014, 06:48

The '99 also has the electronic throttle module to compound potential problems.

...Lee

Post by **tryingbe** » 24 Dec 2014, 06:53

Sell it, sell it now.

Post by **E Showell** » 24 Dec 2014, 08:11

Your father is a wise man. If you don't have some ability with hand tools -- or the willingness to learn -- an older Volvo will bleed you dry on a student budget. At 140,000 miles, you are going to be coming up on needing to renew the suspension if it hasn't been done already. At U.S. prices with quality components you are looking at about $600 in parts alone to do that job. It is several hours of labor if you are doing it by yourself (ideally with a helper), but not essential.

It would be nice to have a mechanic's creeper -- again not essential-- a set of ramps, a quality jack and some jack stands, as well as a decent set of mechanic's tools. A covered garage with a cement floor is also nice for working on the car, but again, not essential. I also consider an OBDII scanner (aka a code reader) to be an essential tool for owning these cars.

Do you have the time and inclination to spend time searching this forum and others like it (although this one's usually the best) to post inquiries and wait for responses and to work through repair posts?

I'd budget about $1,000 U.S./year for repair and upkeep if you are doing the work yourself -- several times that if you are paying a mechanic. Another important consideration is your access to sources of used parts - aka pick-and-pulls, junkyards, scrapyards, auto recyclers, etc. Without the ability to come by some parts used, and the time to pursue them (i.e., remove them from donor cars if necessary), you'll be stretching your budget even further.

Also, the GLT is a turbo model. The turbo adds an extra layer of complexity -- which = more $.

Based on what you've said so far, I'd be looking for a Toyota or Honda if I were you.

Post by **Ben850** » 24 Dec 2014, 12:49

Like, don't do it..

Post by **cn90** » 24 Dec 2014, 15:16

Every used car, especially those sold for $2000-$4000, with > 10 years old and > 120K require some work.
Even Honda Toyota need some serious work such as timing belt, water pump and all that jazz...

The Volvo is no different in terms of cost. It is cheaper to maintain my Volvo than my Honda.

1999 was a "bad" year, if you get over the ETM issue then you are OK.

My approach to a used car: if my budget is $4000, I don't buy a $4000 car. Instead I buy a $2300 car and put in $1700 parts (such as strut, control arms, tstat, timing belt/pulleys, radiator etc. etc.). This way by the time I reach $4000, it is a very nice machine to own.