Hello MVS,
No need for help today. Just wanted to publicly pass along to Matt and everyone here that makes this site what it is: thank you. I was given this car by my dad who got it new in 2000. It had a fair amount of issues when I got it (parents were tired of the all the random problems) and as a young and broke college student, I found MVS and began my DIY adventure that has persisted for over 10 years now. I would have had to ditch this thing years ago had it not been for the cost-saving procedures and techniques documented here.
20 years, 300,000 miles. In the family since day one. Hundreds of adventures, good times, bad times, and many in-between. Coast-to-Coast, much of the lower 48, but Alaska too, distance from the Earth to the Moon and now on the way back. While at the end of the day, it truly is just a car, an assortment of metal, plastic, and rubber, this thing has been with me every step of the way. It's a bit needy from time to time, but part of the joy of owning it is the challenge of keeping the old beast running. Cheers.
300,000 Thank Yous
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FlyingVolvo
- Posts: 1822
- Joined: 8 March 2009
- Year and Model: 2000 V70XC
- Location: USA
- Has thanked: 51 times
- Been thanked: 73 times
300,000 Thank Yous
2000 V70XC - 340,000 miles
Hilton Tune, 16T Turbo, Mototec 3" downpipe, Blue injectors, IPD Short Ram Filter, Snabb Intake Piping & RIP kit, do88 Intercooler, TME Dual Exhaust, HID Projectors, R Panels, do88 Silicone Hoses
2023 V60 T8 PE
Hilton Tune, 16T Turbo, Mototec 3" downpipe, Blue injectors, IPD Short Ram Filter, Snabb Intake Piping & RIP kit, do88 Intercooler, TME Dual Exhaust, HID Projectors, R Panels, do88 Silicone Hoses
2023 V60 T8 PE
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wheelsup
- Posts: 1296
- Joined: 28 June 2005
- Year and Model:
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Has thanked: 15 times
- Been thanked: 20 times
Our stories are pretty similar it seems.
I'm still driving the family's 1995. It was the first car I learned to drive when I was 16. Got it after college in 2003, also broke ex-college student (look at my join date here). Still going. Although, to be honest, the last 3 - 4 years have been really rough on it. Clear coat starting to go, seats all ripped, back bumper rusted at mounts and now held up with a trailer hitch. Hit a deer in the LF quarter panel, mostly fixed but there's still some creased sheet metal.
I don't drive much, it's got about 195k on it.
It took me a while before the tagline "Volvo. For Life." clicked with me. I guess it means I'll have it...forever? Ha.
Before got this car, I knew nothing mechanically at all. All thanks to this site and FCP (they used to be CHEAP!!) was I able to keep it going, just like you.
It would be so cool to completely renovate it. If I had unlimited money, how cool would it be to drop it off at a place that rebuilds it from the inside out. New electronics, new motor, maybe a 5-speed, new interior/exterior. The works. Wow that would be badass. Even better if it was a yellow.
I'm still driving the family's 1995. It was the first car I learned to drive when I was 16. Got it after college in 2003, also broke ex-college student (look at my join date here). Still going. Although, to be honest, the last 3 - 4 years have been really rough on it. Clear coat starting to go, seats all ripped, back bumper rusted at mounts and now held up with a trailer hitch. Hit a deer in the LF quarter panel, mostly fixed but there's still some creased sheet metal.
I don't drive much, it's got about 195k on it.
It took me a while before the tagline "Volvo. For Life." clicked with me. I guess it means I'll have it...forever? Ha.
Before got this car, I knew nothing mechanically at all. All thanks to this site and FCP (they used to be CHEAP!!) was I able to keep it going, just like you.
It would be so cool to completely renovate it. If I had unlimited money, how cool would it be to drop it off at a place that rebuilds it from the inside out. New electronics, new motor, maybe a 5-speed, new interior/exterior. The works. Wow that would be badass. Even better if it was a yellow.
1995 850 GLT Wagon w/ 200,000 miles
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FlyingVolvo
- Posts: 1822
- Joined: 8 March 2009
- Year and Model: 2000 V70XC
- Location: USA
- Has thanked: 51 times
- Been thanked: 73 times
I often think about this! Honestly, if I could have any brand new car.. it would be this same one with the body of knowledge I know now. There are definitely some mods and design tweaks that would make things better (the self-destructing tendency of the AWD system on these among a few).
Good story though! I've kept on on this thing mechanically very well. My philosophy is to tackle even the smallest issues very fast before they get worse and/or affect anything else. The interior is still looking decent with new rubber mats and R door panels. I've got new leather seat skins to put on soon as well which should really do the trick.
The paint is definitely the weak point. Same as you, lots of clearcoat coming off here and there. I'm a bit torn though, as part of me enjoys the dings, scratches, and wear as a testimony to the thousands of miles of travel, adventures, and other shenanigans it's been up to. My biggest fear of a new car or new paint job would be trying to keep it pristine! I've been long toying with the idea of a repaint, and may bite on it eventually, but for now I'm happy with the 300,000 mile look, haha.
2000 V70XC - 340,000 miles
Hilton Tune, 16T Turbo, Mototec 3" downpipe, Blue injectors, IPD Short Ram Filter, Snabb Intake Piping & RIP kit, do88 Intercooler, TME Dual Exhaust, HID Projectors, R Panels, do88 Silicone Hoses
2023 V60 T8 PE
Hilton Tune, 16T Turbo, Mototec 3" downpipe, Blue injectors, IPD Short Ram Filter, Snabb Intake Piping & RIP kit, do88 Intercooler, TME Dual Exhaust, HID Projectors, R Panels, do88 Silicone Hoses
2023 V60 T8 PE
- volvolugnut
- Posts: 6225
- Joined: 19 January 2014
- Year and Model: 2001 V70
- Location: Oklahoma USA
- Has thanked: 927 times
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ecbsykes, Congratulations on 300K! I have never taken a car this many miles (yet).
volvolugnut
volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.
- abscate
- MVS Moderator
- Posts: 35275
- Joined: 17 February 2013
- Year and Model: 99: V70s S70s,05 V70
- Location: Port Jefferson Long Island NY
- Has thanked: 1500 times
- Been thanked: 3810 times
1999 T5 v70 m56
It was an almost new car for us. Last two kids. The twins. Needed a mom plus six hauler
I almost threw it away in 2013 at 150k, then found MVS and joined up.
Now at 250k miles , I’ve probably spent 4k refurbish non maintenance stuff but that’s a $50 monthly payment
Someone offered me $3500 this week. Elizabeth is not for sale
It was an almost new car for us. Last two kids. The twins. Needed a mom plus six hauler
I almost threw it away in 2013 at 150k, then found MVS and joined up.
Now at 250k miles , I’ve probably spent 4k refurbish non maintenance stuff but that’s a $50 monthly payment
Someone offered me $3500 this week. Elizabeth is not for sale
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread
- matthew1
- Site Admin
- Posts: 14463
- Joined: 14 September 2002
- Year and Model: 850 T5, 1997
- Location: Denver, Colorado, US
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Ed this is amazing and great. Congrats to you!
It would be very cool if a place did this. Flat fee, must be a running car, etc. $10k would be ballpark I suppose.ecbsykes wrote: ↑11 Aug 2020, 11:51I often think about this! Honestly, if I could have any brand new car.. it would be this same one with the body of knowledge I know now. There are definitely some mods and design tweaks that would make things better (the self-destructing tendency of the AWD system on these among a few).
Help keep MVS on the web -> click sponsors' links here on MVS when you buy from them.
Also -> Amazon link. Click that when you go to buy something on Amazon and MVS gets a cut!
1998 V70, no dash lights on
1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace
2004 V70 R [gone]
How to Thank someone for their post

Also -> Amazon link. Click that when you go to buy something on Amazon and MVS gets a cut!
1998 V70, no dash lights on
1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace
2004 V70 R [gone]
How to Thank someone for their post

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scot850
- Posts: 14870
- Joined: 5 April 2010
- Year and Model: 2000 V70 R
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Has thanked: 1836 times
- Been thanked: 1709 times
Now you have to aim for the 720,000 miles someone posted on here a couple of years ago or so. I think that was a 98 T5 wagon and one owner.
Well done on getting it this far. My car is currently at about 170,000 miles, and my old one my buddy told me is at 180,000 miles and just completed a 4500+ mile round trip heavily loaded!
Neil.
Well done on getting it this far. My car is currently at about 170,000 miles, and my old one my buddy told me is at 180,000 miles and just completed a 4500+ mile round trip heavily loaded!
Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold
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brunocerous
- Posts: 486
- Joined: 27 October 2015
- Year and Model: 1998 V70
- Location: Maplewood, New Jersey
- Has thanked: 284 times
- Been thanked: 36 times
What an amazing feat! So nice to hear. Enjoy!
2000 V70, base, MT, 'The Silver Bullet'
1998 V70, base, AT, 'Blue Steel'
1998 V70 T5, AT, project
2004 XC90 AWD (sold)
1999 V70 XC AWD, AT (RIP)
1998 S70 T5, AT (RIP)
1998 V70, base, AT, 'Blue Steel'
1998 V70 T5, AT, project
2004 XC90 AWD (sold)
1999 V70 XC AWD, AT (RIP)
1998 S70 T5, AT (RIP)
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configsys
- Posts: 97
- Joined: 3 January 2007
- Year and Model: V70R
- Location: SL'UT
- Has thanked: 2 times
- Been thanked: 5 times
Congrats on the many miles, memories and adventures and certainly wish you well on many more to come. I still have a little bit to catch up to you with 215,000 miles and counting on my '00 V70R
'16 S60 AWD
'17 S60 (totaled)
'13 XC60 Polestar
'12 S60 T5
'04 XC90 (sold)
'02 S40
'00 V70R
'93 850 GLT (sold)
'13A DICE/VIDA
'17 S60 (totaled)
'13 XC60 Polestar
'12 S60 T5
'04 XC90 (sold)
'02 S40
'00 V70R
'93 850 GLT (sold)
'13A DICE/VIDA
- - Pete -
- Posts: 960
- Joined: 6 December 2013
- Year and Model: 01, 04, 04, 04 V70's
- Location: Minnesota/Wisconsin
- Has thanked: 80 times
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ecbsykes wrote: ↑11 Aug 2020, 11:51I often think about this! Honestly, if I could have any brand new car.. it would be this same one with the body of knowledge I know now. There are definitely some mods and design tweaks that would make things better (the self-destructing tendency of the AWD system on these among a few).
Good story though! I've kept on on this thing mechanically very well. My philosophy is to tackle even the smallest issues very fast before they get worse and/or affect anything else. The interior is still looking decent with new rubber mats and R door panels. I've got new leather seat skins to put on soon as well which should really do the trick.
The paint is definitely the weak point. Same as you, lots of clearcoat coming off here and there. I'm a bit torn though, as part of me enjoys the dings, scratches, and wear as a testimony to the thousands of miles of travel, adventures, and other shenanigans it's been up to. My biggest fear of a new car or new paint job would be trying to keep it pristine! I've been long toying with the idea of a repaint, and may bite on it eventually, but for now I'm happy with the 300,000 mile look, haha.
Very well stated! And congratulations on 300K! I'm almost there on our dog/kid/misc. hauler (04 XC). I've replaced the front seats twice now as of a few weeks ago
Still just love the car.
I try to enjoy all the flaws...memories like you say.
2001 V70XC 200k
2004 V70 AWD 174k
2004 V70R M66 147k
2004 XC70 361k
1995 F250 7.3PSD 262k
2014 Ram 3500 DRW 116k
2004 V70 AWD 174k
2004 V70R M66 147k
2004 XC70 361k
1995 F250 7.3PSD 262k
2014 Ram 3500 DRW 116k
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