First Time Purchase -- Advice on Model

Shibbysan · Post by **Shibbysan** » 21 Mar 2012, 12:22

Hello, MVS!

I've been poking around the various Volvo forums online, and am happy to have found MVS -- this site is quite the resource! Thank you all in advance for your help.

I'm looking to sell the 2008 Civic I have sitting in my driveway and depreciating. I don't drive much, and I have been looking for a car I could get that would be losing less value while also being something I'll love to have. Enter my childhood dream: a Volvo.

I know for sure that I would like a wagon, and ideally would like something with a bit of zip to it. Manual is a must. The research I've done leads me to believe that while there's not a huge difference in reliability between the pre- and post-Ford models, there are other variables to keep track of (like the '01 and '02 transmissions?). In an ideal world I'm thinking I would be looking for a model from the late 90's that had fewer of the common European issues with manufacturing in the first part of the decade (from changed environmental standards, I gather), but still has that boxy look that I love. I'm not wild about the curves on the newer models.

So, in short:

- Wagon
- Manual (preferably with a bit of punch)
- Looks like a brick

I'd love advice on what models y'all think would work, as well as a good target price range for those cars. I imagine that New England ought to be rife with various Volvos to be found.

Thanks again!

Post by **erikv11** » 21 Mar 2012, 13:29

98 V70, it is almost a no-brainer.

Will be hard to find a manual that is also a turbo. Most would say the non-turbo models fail your requirement for something with a bit of zip, although non-turbo is fine with me. Anyway the turbo models, even the LPT, are peppy.

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Mar 2012, 13:58

Non-turbo models in a stick-shift aren't half bad - comparable with most 4-cylinder family sedan models today. The automatic zaps all the power unless you get a turbo. That would be my choice, as they actually get somewhat decent gas mileage as well (the turbos are pigs on gas).

In any case, just about any of them have more pep than an '08 Civic - those things are just downright lethargic.

A 1996-1997 850 wagon or 1998 V70 would be my choice.

Shibbysan · Post by **Shibbysan** » 21 Mar 2012, 14:18

That's great -- thank you both! Would you please point me towards some kind of guide to the different model numbers? I just can't seem to come up with one, and have yet to understand what the difference is between the "850" and the "V70" (or the S60, etc.).

Milage is definitely a plus, so it's good to know the turbos are something to avoid. I'm not looking for a WRX wagon or the like, but mostly am just looking forward to switching back to a manual. Does the rear-wheel drive handle alright in the snow with no weight in the back of the wagon?

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Mar 2012, 14:25

These models are FWD, 5-cylinder engines, and with good tires, they are AMAZING in snow.

The V70 is just an updated version of the old 850 platform used from 1993-1997. The body is a bit more rounded and the interior is a bit less 1980's-reminiscent. The 1998 model was essentially the exact same as a 1997 under the hood; 1999 saw a change of an engine computer, electronic throttle (prone to breaking on these), and a whole host of other changes underneath the hood - some good, some bad. Each model has its quirks.

The V70 changed for the 2001 model year to the new P2 platform shared with the S60. The new wagons do ride much better and absorb bumps, etc, but I also found the steering to be much more vague, the car INCREDIBLY heavy, the suspension a bit more wallowy, and the interior noise/vibration to be much better than in the early models. Still, the 1993-2000 models feel like much more of a "fun" car to drive to me.

We do have a "buyers guide" of sorts set up for the site, but if you have any further questions, by all means, feel free to ask - people here are friendly and will definitely help you out.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/volvo- ... yers-guide

Shibbysan · Post by **Shibbysan** » 21 Mar 2012, 14:44

Again, thank you for your help. I just looked through the articles that were in the buyers guide and they were all helpful. A couple of more questions to for the community:

1) What kind of milage can I expect to get on a manual '98 V70 or 850 Wagon?

2) Are these cars recent enough to be considered safe on the road now? I'm a little paranoid about that, but I can only assume that the steel box will 'beat' a modern crumple zone any day. (See question #1 in regards to milage...)

3) I'd love to learn to do my own basic repairs, but am I signing up for a lot of work and money here? The research leads me to believe that I should be looking for a vehicle with a longer repair history to show it has been taken care of and had most of the high-milage kinks worked through.

4) What kind of price should I be looking to pay? Looks like a manual will be hard to find.

Quick edit -- I'm guessing XC models are out of the question in terms of performance and ease of maintenance, right?

I can't say it enough -- thank you all!

ChiNorm · Post by **ChiNorm** » 21 Mar 2012, 14:58

"the turbos are pigs on gas"

I dunno what you consider a pig, but I get >20 mpg on a 16 mile daily commute in downtown Chicago and as much as 28 MPG across 300 miles @ 85 mph from a 96 854t5 with an auto tranny. IMHO, not shabby at all.

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Mar 2012, 15:35

18/28 for me, or about 22 mpg on average. The highway mileage is pretty good, but city mileage is terrible...on par with SUVs with much bigger V6 engines. I came from a small Honda myself, so I was probably spoiled getting 30+ mpg all the time, but with gas prices now...I just want more. It doesn't help that you have to use mid-grade or premium.

The non-turbo manuals can get 30+ mpg highway and low 20's in city driving.

As for crash-worthiness, the cars still earn 3 or 4 stars depending on the model year in the modern-day European safety tests.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 8&p=208008

Yes, by all means, look for a car that has been well-maintained, or you may be looking at a total money pit of a new car. Timing belt, etc. should be up-to-date. PCV system should have been replaced at some point in the not-too-distant past. These can also serve as negotiating points for the price.

If you don't NEED the AWD, save yourself the hassle. You can't get one in a manual anyway.

Post by **vjaneczko** » 21 Mar 2012, 15:45

Shibbysan wrote: 2) Are these cars recent enough to be considered safe on the road now? I'm a little paranoid about that, but I can only assume that the steel box will 'beat' a modern crumple zone any day. (See question #1 in regards to milage...)

You bet. Plenty of steel wraps me and my daughters, plus the airbags should deal with any of those dumb iPhone drivers

3) I'd love to learn to do my own basic repairs, but am I signing up for a lot of work and money here? The research leads me to believe that I should be looking for a vehicle with a longer repair history to show it has been taken care of and had most of the high-milage kinks worked through.

Signing up? Again; you bet. The parts are more expensive then American rides, but I find that it's worth it (no pun intended) to me to learn how to repair the car - I figure I've saved 4 grand in labor charges over the last three years alone. Plus, it's a bit of a hobby for me.

4) What kind of price should I be looking to pay? Looks like a manual will be hard to find.

Hard to say; depends on the features, mileage, known repairs, etc. Take some time and poke around CraigsList, AutoTrader, eBay and the For Sales forum here (and other Volvo sites) to get a better idea. Once you find something, you can post the details and we can offer opinions.

Quick edit -- I'm guessing XC models are out of the question in terms of performance and ease of maintenance, right?

As they're AWD, there's extra parts and complexities - meaning extra $$ to repair. Some will 'convert' them to front-wheel drive instead of repairing the rear-drive parts. Again, take your time and see what's available.

bugsbunnies95_850t · Post by **bugsbunnies95_850t** » 21 Mar 2012, 16:33

i agree the 850 turbos are pretty good on gas .. i put a cold air on mine and some really good spark plugs and i got into the thirtys only about 30 31 but still for 250hp ( t5r ecu) it was pretty good. try to find a turbo with a manual swap or a 98' s70/ v70 t5 with a stick.. this is all imho