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I bought a worn out 98 S70, aka, how these cars can be so expensive

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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MrAl
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Year and Model: v70, 1998
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Re: I bought a worn out 98 S70, aka, how these cars can be so expensive

Post by MrAl »

Hi there,

First let me just say, really nice pics ! Talking about it is one thing, but seeing it is another. That gives a very clear idea what is happening and really hits home with the reality of this kind of project.

You got guts i can say that much too :-)
I wish i could still do all that myself. Last time i took an engine and trans out of a car was 40 years ago. I had the tools then too though.

My car sold for 2000 USD but i had to put some money into it right away because it needed some stuff to get it inspection time worthy, as well as some safety issues and checks like for the timing belt to make sure it was really changed recently. Had some other minor issues too. I'm in at around 3500 total now.

Recently broke the arm rest box too as i leaned on it too hard, so have to look into fixing that. Not sure how to do that yet as the plastic behind the hinge broke.
I’ve been driving a Volvo long before anyone ever paid me to drive one.
That's probably because I've been driving one since 2015 and nobody has offered to pay me yet.
1998 v70, non turbo, FWD, base model, on the road from April 2nd, 2015 to July 26, 2023.

tryingbe
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Location: Mesa, AZ, USA
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Post by tryingbe »

Cleaned and ready for pick up this afternoon.

Image

Image

Image
85 GLH, 367 whp
00 Insight, 72 mpg

scot850
Posts: 14864
Joined: 5 April 2010
Year and Model: 2000 V70 R
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Post by scot850 »

Car looks great! Another one saved!

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

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sleddriver
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Year and Model: 1998 V70 T5
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Post by sleddriver »

Nice looking car!

BTW, some Forever Black on the red wagon will really help the faded black trim. I used it on the sled with great results. It actually does what it says.
1998 V70 T5 226,808 miles. Original Owner.
M1 10W-30 HM

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oragex
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Post by oragex »

Starting such project demands respect. Achieving it demands even more respect 8)

Technically, each electrical and mechanical part in the car is designed for a specific life span, depending on the kind of usage the owner makes.

I would expect a properly maintained post 2000 Volvo engine to last well after 250K miles, even if driven only in city. However there are plenty of other parts, some designed to go 100K miles, other 200K miles, and a few will go forever :)

Still, I don't think there are many car brands out there that can be revived to (almost) fully operational functioning past 250K, other than a 1992-2009 Volvo.

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MrAl
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Post by MrAl »

Hi again,

Yes very nice. I saw another older Volvo wagon pull up next to me at the store the other day. It was maybe an 850, but in mint condition. Really clean looking. I could tell it was older because the body design was more 'box like', but still very cool looking.
I’ve been driving a Volvo long before anyone ever paid me to drive one.
That's probably because I've been driving one since 2015 and nobody has offered to pay me yet.
1998 v70, non turbo, FWD, base model, on the road from April 2nd, 2015 to July 26, 2023.

tryingbe
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Post by tryingbe »

Car is sold and picked up. I made $20.08/hr for the hours I worked.

Now, on to my other non-car projects...
85 GLH, 367 whp
00 Insight, 72 mpg

mecheng
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Year and Model: 1998 Volvo S70 T5
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Post by mecheng »

oragex wrote:Starting such project demands respect. Achieving it demands even more respect 8)

Technically, each electrical and mechanical part in the car is designed for a specific life span, depending on the kind of usage the owner makes.

I would expect a properly maintained post 2000 Volvo engine to last well after 250K miles, even if driven only in city. However there are plenty of other parts, some designed to go 100K miles, other 200K miles, and a few will go forever :)

Still, I don't think there are many car brands out there that can be revived to (almost) fully operational functioning past 250K, other than a 1992-2009 Volvo.
Any Honda or Toyota from the 90s can go toe to toe with the Volvo for durability.
Certain BMW inline 6s and Mercedes were pretty good for durability and the overall car as well
1998 Volvo S70 T5 - SE - 240km - Sold July 2018
1997 Volvo 850 GLT - 190km
Boost is my drug of choice

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850 LPT
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Post by 850 LPT »

My respect to you for taking on a project like this, especially because you didn't plan on keeping it for yourself.
Your friend is getting a very fine car!
98' S70, base, 5-speed manual, pewter/ tan, 145k miles
99' S70, base, 5-speed manual, nautic blue/ tan, 225k miles, currently inop
06' V70, auto, willow green/ charcoal, 147k miles
79' Ford Capri S, Euro Spec 2.8 V6, T9 5-speed manual, owned since 1986
58' Porsche Diesel Junior
13' Honda Odyssey :oops:
84' Mercedes 300 D, gold/ tan, 420k miles (retirement project :D )

rguzz
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Year and Model: 1996 850 turbo
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Post by rguzz »

Speaking for myself, many of us could have had that car apart for years taking up garage space, so your motivation is indeed admirable. Purchaser bought him-herself a lot of skilled labor with that car. Good for another 100+k if maintained, easily. Take a break!

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