should I buy a 98 xc70?

[shiloh51933]

Hi all, My v70 is on its way out, & I have the opportunity to buy a 98 xc70 with good service history & 120k mls, its in good condition, should I get it?? or my other choice is a 02 v70 with 130k mls & decent history, both similar price.What do you reckon?
I much prefer the shape & interior of the ph1 but!!!
Thanks

The '98v70xc still has the 850 style throttle body(mechanical) which is better because the first couple of years with the electronic TB has issues. Yes the AWD system has it's issues the first couple of years of the Cross Country model but mainly at 120K the AWD should be fine, just do your preventive maintenance to the AWD system. Newer usually means less wear/tear, less corrosion & body rot, less mileage but as u mentioned the mileage is close between your listed options. The '02 V70 you mentioned is a base model, GLT, Turbo, R???? If is a N/A base model with no option or atleast a LPT I'd go for the '98 V70XC.

[Carboncopy]

Sorry, but as a P80 AWD fan, I'm going to rebut again here.

On ice and snow, I've been very pleased with the AWD.
In the summertime, it's also been of noticeable benefit.
This car has NO torque steer and just hugs the road.
It's all mechanical and has no computers, sensors or
actuators to get broken or confused. I like simple!

Other than replacing the front CV on the drive shaft,
I've had zero maintenance issues and just passed 150K.
As long as you keep matched tires on it and don't drive
like a teenager, it's a very reliable system.

Parts have not been a problem. I've had no trouble finding
anything that I've needed for this car, but I buy new. There are
no Volvos in the yards here, but since I'm in it for the long haul,
I don't mind spending a little more for new, often dealer parts.

Nivo's can be had New at reasonable prices if you shop around.
I did mine at about 120K for around $350 for the pair.

I can't argue with the saddle type gas tank, though...
My strategy is to keep the pump surrounded with "coolant".
I try not to let the gas run less than half a tank. Fingers Crossed!

I love this '98 and I'm planning on driving it as long as possible!
Great on the wide open road and the perfect winter car for Fairbanks.

Respectfully, your speaking from experience with an V70R, which is a different car from the V70XC. I have had the opposite experience with the AWD on the XC. On ice, the XC is extremely tail happy, to the point you need to have weight in the trunk above the rear tires to stop it losing traction and sliding. My FWD 850 is less tail happy then the XC was. I do agree that the AWD is good on snow, and with the added ride height of the XC, its even better.

I did love my XC (Me and my family owned it for 17 years, it was ordered new by us from the dealer), but I would never ever say that the early model XCs are anything near as reliable as a normal V70 or 850 or that the AWD system is "reliable" by any means.

[BEJinFbk]

It's the same basic platform. The only real drive train difference is the
XC 2.4 LPT vs R 2.3 HPT. Sure, the R hits torque higher in the curve than the XC,
so I have to really put effort into breaking the rear end loose and get slideways.
And I run in Sport mode, but other than engine, about two inches in ride height
and different anti-sway bars, reliability is all based on the same set of components.
And other than the AWD, most of the car is the same as "normal" V70s and 850's.

And of course the 850 is less tail happy - It's FWD.

As far as the early P2's, just look into the transmission's reputation.
That alone would keep me away from the first few years of P2's.

BTW - Is a French '98 really a US '99?
If so, that brings up a whole new set of issues.
ETM, newer EFI, married modules, etc.

[JRL]

Not that big a ride height difference and I agree having owned many of both that neither one is a problem driving in very poor weather conditions, they respond about the same

[Matty Moo]

I have a 98 XC. To me it's just another 96-98 car, everything is the same except the AWD system/nivomats and if that takes a dump I take out the Driveshaft..

[Clockboy]

I have a 98 xc and an 05 xc. I've lost 2 modules on the 05 since buying it - both easy to replace, but a pain to find and replace. The driving experiences are totally different. The 98 feels like an older car, but still has enough luxury to make it very comfortable. I feel much more connected to the mechanics on the 98. The 05 feels like the newer cars and I feel removed from it. Yeah its nice, but not the same. Some would say for the better, but not me. I also prefer the throttle response on the earlier one. Our awd on the 98 took a dump and bye bye driveshaft. Still was usable in snow.

[abscate]

I’ve lost my 2005 to SWMBO on hot humid days as the AC is awesome on her short commute. She rolls in 4th which keeps the AC ice cubed, but drops the mileage to 30 mpg