I'm starting to love my car.

Post by **utilityaudio** » 06 Mar 2017, 08:17

I'm sure you guys are probably familiar with this feeling, but this is my first car, and it's spectacular.

it's not perfect, it's old, and it honestly needs a good wash/wax and detail, but it's mine, and damn is it fun to drive... and it's so smooooooth.

I had to drive from MD to DE this weekend for a meeting, probably about 150 miles round trip, the weather was nice and clear, traffic was just right.

I'm bad with words, but it was a fantastic drive, and I'm starting to love my car.

Cheers!

Post by **850 LPT** » 06 Mar 2017, 08:32

98' S70 GLT is an awesome car, and yours is in my favorite color: nautic blue. I'm glad you are enjoying it so much.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Mar 2017, 09:54

You are driving a luxury brand as your first car - well done! You DO need to take care of somethings to keep these running, though - cue Roberts video series on PCV, oil changes, cooling system overhaul, and Stage 0 ignition overhaul

Post by **utilityaudio** » 06 Mar 2017, 10:39

850 LPT wrote:98' S70 GLT is an awesome car, and yours is in my favorite color: nautic blue. I'm glad you are enjoying it so much.

It looks a bit blue in this picture, but it is definitely green in person.

abscate wrote:You are driving a luxury brand as your first car - well done! You DO need to take care of somethings to keep these running, though - cue Roberts video series on PCV, oil changes, cooling system overhaul, and Stage 0 ignition overhaul

First thing I did was a tuneup and oil change. Working on finishing the stage 0, gonna do the timing belt too because I don't have have a record of it being done and I'm at 74k. This will happen when my mechanic has the rest of the parts to fix what was damaged when the car was stolen, hopefully before the end of March.

What do you mean by the cooling system and ignition overhauls?

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 06 Mar 2017, 10:47

Cooling system:
Flush the coolant. (Wade into the Zerez, Pentosin, Prestone debate at your own caution...),
Inspect and replace heater core if necessary (if it's original, replace immediately),
Inspect and replace hoses,
Replace thermostat (WAHLER),
Replace engine temp sensor (VOLVO),
Replace coolant level sensor (VOLVO)...

Post by **erikv11** » 06 Mar 2017, 11:12

theWIFES_S70 wrote: ... Replace coolant level sensor (Volvo)...

Ehhh, that last item I have never replaced a single one. But otherwise I agree!

Post by **mecheng** » 06 Mar 2017, 12:08

theWIFES_S70 wrote:Cooling system:
Flush the coolant. (Wade into the Zerez, Pentosin, Prestone debate at your own caution...),
Inspect and replace heater core if necessary (if it's original, replace immediately),
Inspect and replace hoses,
Replace thermostat (WAHLER),
Replace engine temp sensor (Volvo),
Replace coolant level sensor (Volvo)...

The thermostat fails open and the engine temp sensor will throw a code when it fails; so ignore both until you either have a code or the car runs cold.
I found the heater cores start to smell before any crazy failure, my original unit lasted 230,000km. Never heard of a coolant level sensor failing.

Definitely, change the fluids, wax the paint and enjoy the car! They are great cruisers.

Post by **misha** » 06 Mar 2017, 13:11

After you finish full service and inspection,if i were you i would replace those 15" rims with 16" Persus or 17" "R" and add a Volvo spoiler on the trunk.

Only 74K....

.It is practically a brand new car.

Post by **utilityaudio** » 06 Mar 2017, 13:24

mecheng wrote:
theWIFES_S70 wrote:Cooling system:
Flush the coolant. (Wade into the Zerez, Pentosin, Prestone debate at your own caution...),
Inspect and replace heater core if necessary (if it's original, replace immediately),
Inspect and replace hoses,
Replace thermostat (WAHLER),
Replace engine temp sensor (Volvo),
Replace coolant level sensor (Volvo)...
The thermostat fails open and the engine temp sensor will throw a code when it fails; so ignore both until you either have a code or the car runs cold.
I found the heater cores start to smell before any crazy failure, my original unit lasted 230,000km. Never heard of a coolant level sensor failing.

Definitely, change the fluids, wax the paint and enjoy the car! They are great cruisers.

pretty sure that my mechanic did a coolant flush as part of my initial tune up, I will check my invoice when I get home.

all hoses appear to be in good condition, but again, i don't have any maintenance records from before I purchased the car.

wife's car is going to the detailer this week, and mine will go once her's is back.

Post by **utilityaudio** » 06 Mar 2017, 13:31

misha wrote:After you finish full service and inspection,if i were you i would replace those 15" rims with 16" Persus or 17" "R" and add a Volvo spoiler on the trunk.

Only 74K.... .It is practically a brand new car.

eventually I'll look at new wheels, but we're looking at buying a house in the next year or two, so running and stable is the goal for now.
personally I like the look of this car without a spoiler so I probably won't add one, and driving in Baltimore, I'll probably avoid low-profile wheels/tires.

bought the car with 72 and change at the end of Sept/Beginning of October, I don't drive much now since I walk to work but that will change when we move (and when all of the college students in my neighborhood move away after the semester ends and I can more easily find parking).