Newbie looking for V70 advice

[LardFather]

Hi, I'm new to Volvos other than my Dad's collection (S60, V40, C70) from a few years ago but all of a sudden they have started to appeal to me especially the 7 seat variants of the V70.

I have a young family, two boys (3.5 and 0.5 years) and would use the car for camping trips and for transporting my mate and me to and from races (triathlons). The appeal of a big boot, comfortable interior, quietness and safety is starting to take over from my usual car requirements. I have an mr2 turbo, subaru impreza wrx ppp wagon and my wife drives a Honda CRV.

I'm keen on a v70 as they seem to have everything I need and seem very affordable, I'm keen to hear peoples opinions on suitability, running costs, what happens after 150k, how usable the back 2 seats are for very infrequent use and servicing/maintainability.

Thanks in advance guys.

[Vladislav]

You did not mention the budget for the car, so I will tell about my 98 v70. Was bought in 2013 for £820 with 130k on clocks. Previous owner did not look after the car well, so overall maintenance cost me around £50 per month in service and repair, which I find acceptable. Mileage today is just over 170k. What I get in return is a car which never failes, you can load in pretty much everything you can imagine and a little horse on top. I am yet to find a better miles eater, you can whisper at 70mph and the ride is very smooth. High built quality, spacious inside, good materials etc. Bad sides? Sluggish 2 litre petrol engine returns around 28-33mpg. What happens after 150k? Another 150k I guess. So get ready to fall in love with a car.

[LardFather]

Thanks for the reply

I'd guess my budget is between 1 and 1.5k ish, maybe wiggle room for a great buy but at the moment I'm looking at cars like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-Esta...EAAOSweWVXc8lx

Its local and seems on the money, ideally looking for the 7 seat variant with a tow bar already fitted (not for towing just a bike carrier). I'm open to suggestions on the engine type (favouring 170bhp and T5 at the moment) and for a car this size with motorways in mind I can't say I'm too concerned with the gearbox type.

[capt jack]

At the risk of upsetting p2 V70 owners, I'd say look out for a decent phase 1 - the 1997 to 2000 model with the more square shape. I had one that got me from 53,000 to 293,000 without any hassle at all. I wish I had never sold it.

Unless you want the performance the 140bhp 10v engine is a very very good engine. Simple, tough, reliable, long-lasting. Mine was an auto, which made it a positive joy to drive.

The earlier car has far less in the way of fancy electronicals, and it was a proper Volvo, not a Ford.

The third row of seats can be added to any V70, so don't worry too much about finding one that already has this. Bear in mind that these seats are only suitable for children, and you lose a lot of boot space when they are in use.

Your £1500 should buy you one and leave some change.

Don't be put off by high miles either. Properly looked after these cars will run to huge mileages.

Jack

[LardFather]

Thanks Jack,

I didn't realize the third row of seats could be added, its not a massive issue either way but its nice to know. I'm starting to have concerns about the safety of seats in the boot, I know its a volvo but . . .

To be honest I'd totally discounted the 140 engine but I'll reconsider now.

There's not too many p1s kicking about though, hence the p2 I was looking at as these seem to be plentiful. There's some nice p1 turbos about, not sure about high mileage turbo'd engines though?

[capt jack]

If the car has been properly looked after - ie regular oil and filter changes with good quality stuff, and if the PCV system has been maintained then there's no reason to shy away from a turbo-engined car. Trouble is that as a performance car ages there's a risk it'll end up at some point in the hands of someone who hankers after performance on the cheap. But if you can find one that has clearly been sensibly cared for then why not?

As for the seven seat option. If you look at something like a Zafira or Scenic then the back row of seats is generally wedged up against the tailgate, so in a rear-end shunt the passengers are vulnerable. In the V70 the 6/7th seat occupants are a fair way back from the tailgate. But they are facing the wrong way - so you can't so easily see them. Also, they have to get into and out of the car via the rear hatch, unlike a conventional MPV where access is via a side door.

Where the MPV wins is that the rearmost seats will take older children and even adults, whereas the V70 third row seats are really only suitable for younger kids.

But don't write off a phase 1 car - find a good one and it will be superb.

Cheers

Jack

[Roderick Plinge]

Originally Posted by capt jack

At the risk of upsetting p2 V70 owners, I'd say look out for a decent phase 1 - the 1997 to 2000 model with the more square shape. I had one that got me from 53,000 to 293,000 without any hassle at all. I wish I had never sold it.

Unless you want the performance the 140bhp 10v engine is a very very good engine. Simple, tough, reliable, long-lasting. Mine was an auto, which made it a positive joy to drive.

The earlier car has far less in the way of fancy electronicals, and it was a proper Volvo, not a Ford.

The third row of seats can be added to any V70, so don't worry too much about finding one that already has this. Bear in mind that these seats are only suitable for children, and you lose a lot of boot space when they are in use.

Your £1500 should buy you one and leave some change.

Don't be put off by high miles either. Properly looked after these cars will run to huge mileages.

Jack

I would agree with the series I advice. In the event that you choose a series II avoid the geatronic at all costs - mine failed, a very common fault, and the rebuild cost was circa £3k. Good luck. Once you've had a Volvo I guess you'll always have one. I am on my seventh (not many really) my favourite being my 850 T5 which was fantastic. I bought my partner an S40 2.0 auto from eBay for £300 (never even saw the car before the auction ended) and three years later it's still running and other than general servicing hasn't cost a single penny.