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Considering a Volvo V70

radioouman

radioouman

Diamond Member
We've got a little one on the way, and it is probably getting close to time to sell my Sebring convertible. (Small trunk, so it would be tough to the take the stroller, porta-crib, etc. when we go visit family.)

Does anyone have any thoughts on the V70 with the 5 cylinder turbo? I travel quite a bit for work, so I want to stick with a car.
 
My wife and I love our 2002 XC V70. If you can find the XC in your price range, I would say go for it. Volvo change their turbo setup in 2002 to be more efficient and reliable, so make sure it's that year or newer. There are a few recalls but nothing too major. Ours needs to have the computer reflashed for the transmission shift points, since they decided to go out of whack, but its really no big deal.

The cargo area looks smallish but when you get the seats down properly its a freakin cavern in there!
 
I drove a 2002 V70 with the turbo over the weekend and was surprised by how quick it was. Do they all have a turbo? It seems like I'm finding some XC's without the turbo...
 
All XC's are turbo. Yeah its a beast actually! Gas mileage aint so hot but hey..it's safe! 🙂 Odd that you are finding them without the turbo, are you sure they are the Cross Country model?

Hmm.. I see that there is the new XC that comes non turbo but I'm not sure about the older models.... gonna check that out....

Don't be too afraid of the new turbos though, unless the car has over 200,000 miles it's still a baby in the world of Volvo.
 
Volvo's 5-cylinder engine is bulletproof, and their sedans are surprisingly sprightly given their size and weight. They're no BMW, but they are capable of a good bit more than most "Volvo drivers" will ever ask of them.

All 5-cylinder models will be turbocharged. The newer (2007+) models have an inline 6 that can be had either with (281hp) or without (235hp) a turbo.

ZV
 
Go for the R, harder to find but fun and practical. Really wanted to get one myself but they are pretty hard to find.
 
I'm guessing that the dealer neglected to put "turbo" in the ad. The V70 that I drove was front wheel drive and it was quick enough that I could see it being a real hassle in the snow. (It felt like it had loads of torque at just about any speed, and it was tough to keep the wheels from spinning on wet pavement when taking off.)

Thanks for info. If I find an XC in my price range, I'll probably go for it.

MC866: There is a dealer near me that has a V70 R, but it is too pricey for me. I'm also looking for an automatic.
 
Originally posted by: radioouman
I'm guessing that the dealer neglected to put "turbo" in the ad. The V70 that I drove was front wheel drive and it was quick enough that I could see it being a real hassle in the snow. (It felt like it had loads of torque at just about any speed, and it was tough to keep the wheels from spinning on wet pavement when taking off.)

Thanks for info. If I find an XC in my price range, I'll probably go for it.

MC866: There is a dealer near me that has a V70 R, but it is too pricey for me. I'm also looking for an automatic.
Click to expand...

My 1990 740 (V70 predecessor) is RWD and is fine in the snow with snow tires (non-studded). I don't imagine the V70 would be worse... you just don't gun it, like any other vehicle in the snow 😉
I don't know how the space comparison is versus the newer ones, but with the rear seats folded down I can fit a washer & dryer & a bit more back there.
 
Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Originally posted by: radioouman
I'm guessing that the dealer neglected to put "turbo" in the ad. The V70 that I drove was front wheel drive and it was quick enough that I could see it being a real hassle in the snow. (It felt like it had loads of torque at just about any speed, and it was tough to keep the wheels from spinning on wet pavement when taking off.)

Thanks for info. If I find an XC in my price range, I'll probably go for it.

MC866: There is a dealer near me that has a V70 R, but it is too pricey for me. I'm also looking for an automatic.
Click to expand...

My 1990 740 (V70 predecessor) is RWD and is fine in the snow with snow tires (non-studded). I don't imagine the V70 would be worse... you just don't gun it, like any other vehicle in the snow 😉
I don't know how the space comparison is versus the newer ones, but with the rear seats folded down I can fit a washer & dryer & a bit more back there.
Click to expand...

The 740 is a great car, but calling it a V70 predecessor isn't terribly accurate. It's like calling the Model T the predecessor to the Ford Fusion. Technically correct, but the cars really don't share any engineering. The older V70 wagons (first generation, '96 through '00) were heavily based on the 850 series (which did not share components with the 740), with the '01 and later cars being clean-sheet designs with the exception of the 5-cylinder engines which, though improved, still trace their DNA back to the 850.

The newer Volvo wagons will still swallow incredible volumes of cargo, they're wonderful like that.

As far as snow, remember that the 740 had all of about 114 hp (non-turbo), compared to at least 190 (low-pressure turbo I5) or 250+ (high-pressure turbo I5 and the newer I6 engines). Still, even my T5 (~250 hp) is easy to handle in the snow. As I am fond of pointing out, who ever heard of a Swede getting stuck in the snow? 😛

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
As far as snow, remember that the 740 had all of about 114 hp (non-turbo), compared to at least 190 (low-pressure turbo I5) or 250+ (high-pressure turbo I5 and the newer I6 engines). Still, even my T5 (~250 hp) is easy to handle in the snow. As I am fond of pointing out, who ever heard of a Swede getting stuck in the snow? 😛

ZV
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Mine has ~160 hp, but I'm not likely to go into boost if I think traction will be an issue 😛
 
ZV 🙂 I'm Swedish, and have never gotten stuck in the snow. That includes lots of time in Northern Montana 😛
 
Car and Driver tested the current gen and thought it was an excellent car, but very dull. So if you don't mind dull, it should be a good choice. Volvo knows how to make a nice big flat cargo area.

My aunt has a Saab 9-5 Aero wagon, and it is nice in some respects, and less nice in others. Probably worth a drive, but I'd personally lean towards a Volvo for a Swedish wagon.
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Volvo's 5-cylinder engine is bulletproof, and their sedans are surprisingly sprightly given their size and weight. They're no BMW, but they are capable of a good bit more than most "Volvo drivers" will ever ask of them.

All 5-cylinder models will be turbocharged. The newer (2007+) models have an inline 6 that can be had either with (281hp) or without (235hp) a turbo.

ZV
Click to expand...

I had a T5 loan car with an oil leak and busted oil light for two weeks. The big ends went.

My Bro in law has just picked up a '98 V70R Auto in the burnt orange colour. Pretty cool wagons if you ask me.
 
Originally posted by: radioouman
Am I correct that these require premium fuel and get 17 mpg city / 23 mpg highway?
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Sounds about right to me, and yes, every turbo that I'm aware of requires premium fuel.
 
Originally posted by: radioouman
Am I correct that these require premium fuel and get 17 mpg city / 23 mpg highway?
Click to expand...

With my '98 T5 I get about 23mpg in mixed driving and 27 on the highway. I've never seen a tank below 20, but my car isn't AWD. If you are expecting 17/23 you certainly won't end up disappointed.

ZV
 
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Volvo's 5-cylinder engine is bulletproof, and their sedans are surprisingly sprightly given their size and weight. They're no BMW, but they are capable of a good bit more than most "Volvo drivers" will ever ask of them.

All 5-cylinder models will be turbocharged. The newer (2007+) models have an inline 6 that can be had either with (281hp) or without (235hp) a turbo.

ZV
Click to expand...

I had a T5 loan car with an oil leak and busted oil light for two weeks. The big ends went.
Click to expand...

Well yeah, if you run it out of oil it's not bulletproof. 😛

ZV
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Volvo's 5-cylinder engine is bulletproof, and their sedans are surprisingly sprightly given their size and weight. They're no BMW, but they are capable of a good bit more than most "Volvo drivers" will ever ask of them.

All 5-cylinder models will be turbocharged. The newer (2007+) models have an inline 6 that can be had either with (281hp) or without (235hp) a turbo.

ZV
Click to expand...

I had a T5 loan car with an oil leak and busted oil light for two weeks. The big ends went.
Click to expand...

Well yeah, if you run it out of oil it's not bulletproof. 😛

ZV
Click to expand...

He just doesn't want to admit he lost the 710 cap so he put a sock there instead.
 
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