First Time to this Forum. Car questions

[vmax]

As you can see. This is my first time to this forum. I drive a 99 V70 which is also my first Volvo.

I'm trying to find a car that would be good for my daughter. My two choices for now are a mid 90's 850 sedan and a 97 S70 sedan.
The S70 has a sun roof. I'd like to hear what you all think of these cars.

I do my own wrenching on my 96 Jeep and my motorcycle. With help at times and the right books, I'm not afraid to tackle some repairs and maintenance issues.

She is leaning towards the S70 but I wonder about possible problems with the sun roof leaking. Is this a big problem with sun roofs?

[sseir39]

Our family has 3 S 70's and one 94 855. They are reliable and safe but like all things older, they do need maintenance. This site is one of the best I have seen and folks are friendly. One of the other sites has folks that are less than accomodating.

Good maintenance records are vital. Some the S70 is better as it is a more refined 850. I am sure you will hear more opinions and be sure to check out repair and other information on this site.

dick

[Ozark Lee]

I don't know of a 1997 S70 but I think Europe was a year ahead on the 850 and actually had a '92. The US S70 versions started in model year 1998.

The cars you describe are almost identical from a mechanical perspective. The S-70 got an interior facelift but the first year S70's suffer from "Volvo Greenie Glueitis". The glue for the interior trim was chosen for its eco friendliness rather than its ability to actually stick two materials together and hold them together. The door panel interior "skin" tends to separate and it just gets worse with time.

A daughter's love of a car plays a huge role in the decision - Why else would I buy a Porsche 944 and drag it home on a trailer from Phoenix - But I would look first at condition and a close second at the service records.

As far as wrenching stuff they are surprisingly easy to work on. The same stuff goes wrong with all of them and it is hard to stump a forum member with a problem that you have and no one else hasn't had and resolved. It is a generous group here that gives advice and tips freely.

...Lee

[MadeInJapan]

Um yeah...I'll take those free tips!

Really, go for the S70...make sure the A/C works (as it gets cold, buyers seem to overlook this). As stated the maintenance records are a must. I like the '98 better than later year S70 because the computer isn't so complex yet and it's easy to work on. The door delamination issue is one you can live with or if it's bothersome, you can take the panels out and to a good upholster shop.

Good luck and let us know what you decide. Oh, and one with a turbo is one your daughter will like more!

[vmax]

Thanks for the replies. Both my daughter and I like the S70. If very causes when it comes to sun roofs due to fear of leaks, is this or has this been a problem? Should we stay clear of cars with the sun roofs?

[jtp]

I love my s70 so much I have been looking into v70s (cuz my wife mostly drives the s70) and one of them I looked at had a sealed sunroof because it was leaking and the owner was told it was a 2,000$ dollar fix. Sealing it was cheap he said, though I don't know exactly how much. That car was a 2001 v70 with 186,000 miles on it. That said, the place I got my s70 had a ton of older volvos with sunroofs that worked fine. Personally, I would go with the sunroof.

[MadeInJapan]

I actually had a leaking sun roof and found the part that attaches to the glass was rusted and causing the leak. It took the glass out, separated the piece, got rid of the rust and reinstalled...that was almost 2 years ago...no more leaks. It was not expensive but took all day. I understand that my situation was rare....I have not heard of many sunroof leaks at all.

[vmax]

I guess we'll take our chances with the sunroof.
Thanks