2004 volvo C70 (HPT manual) - 20 years in: What have been your experience?

[bigcheese]

When we had our 2nd child, having two two-door cars was no longer going to cut it,
Knowing both infants were likely to grow if we kept feeding them,
Got my wife a new 1997 Isuzu Rodeo (manual) , and in 2004 myself a new C70. (HPT five speed manual)

Former BMW owner (1980's)
we looked at 'all the usual suspects,' BMW, Audi, Sebring, etc,
but
2004 volvo model was basically the same as 2001, without bugs from changing designs every year.
Full length sedan ride
Volvo safety record

Over 20 years the following items: "In for a dime, in for a thousand dollars"

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Starting maybe around 80 k miles...

1. At one point key got stuck in ignition, wheel locked, Annoying requiring tow, but easily fixed.

2, RF receiver antenna for RFI key intermittent. Would be stuck immmobilized until remove/re-insert key.
Once figured out, replace. Easy

3. Front motor integral to top would randomly stop, leaving top half up or down.
Very awkward! Figured it out and $75 on ebay fixed ever since.

4. At around 18 years replaced window motors in doors.
First one failed, then the other. Grrrr.

Cable had popped off plastic pulleys, then snarled the motors.

BAD = COST +$1,500 to replace EACH, $900 for part (motor and frame), plus labor.
Subsequently found service rebuild with upgrades w metal pulleys for $500/side
Also found aftermarket cable kits to rewind motor cables $20 each, if patient.
Bought for next time,

GOOD = SAFETY high cost is because of BORON door frame is part.
A friend in Volvo was hit mid door by a huge highway snowplow, then car crushed against concrete barriers.
He walked away.

At around maybe 12 years 100k miles

5. Replaced convertible roof myself. Like doing my Alfa spider, always complicated the first time. Shouldn't be the next.

6. 120k mile service, timing belt etc. Perfetly routine. They replace a lot of stuff.

7. Steering pump $600?

8. AC pump. $900?


At 20 years, 135k miles - recent

Wood trim peeling from steering wheel (20 years of sun).
Found replacement on Ebay, which within a year also peeled.
Found V70 leather wheel fits perfectly, no peel.

9. Wood trim by shifter also cracking.
Found all gray replacement, swapped, $100. No more peel.

10. Front strut assemblies and rear shocks.
The rubber shock bushings as well as shocks were shot, so entire thing replaced.
Front $1k ea, =$2k Rear $600 for pair. $2,600 for OEM shocks and struts = ouch.

11. Minor fading of hood (20 years DC sun), had redone by pro. Looks new.
Rest of car still looks new.
Never polish, just car soap and water, ...sometimes,

12. Had interior shop replace material in seats - not nearly as good aas new - would like to replace w OEM

ONGOING RATIONALE

The long wheelbase drives like a full size sedan for long trips.
Everything done is done, vs guessing on buying some other used car.
New car just not worth the $40k prmium ..++? for whar are really minor differences.
Super comfortable, super safe.
Engine & drivetrain should keep going just fine,,

Just bought 2020 S60 w 20k miles on it for son, his wife, and new grandchild. Crazy?

What has been your experience?