V70XT - What is different about an XT

[Derek UK]

Might be looking at a 1999 V70XT auto. The XT suffix is new to me. Googling seems to say that it's the same as a "standard" model and then lists the extras it can have. What differences are there between the base "Standard" and the base "XT"? Owners comments welcome.

[capt jack]

Towards the end of it's life Volvo offered all sorts of different trim levels and "packs" with the V70 and S70. There was a base (Torslanda?) model, then the XT, then the XLT. These replaced the base, SE and CD trim levels. But then the buyer could specify all sorts of "packs" with a new car. This could be the Winter Pack, which added heated seats and headlamp wash-wipe, or a Comfort Pack which added climate control, leather upholstery and protective carpet mats etc. Or you could (if memory serves) specify individual "extras" such as heated seats, climate control, cruise control, a better audio, wood trim, etc etc etc.

I had from new a 1998 S-reg V70, which was the base model, with fabric seats, grey fascia trim, aircon, plastic wheel covers, and so on. Then in 2000 I got a very last of the line W-reg V70 with just about every whistle and bell in the book - alloys, cliamte control, cruise control, leather seats, info centre, sun roof. The best V70 I owned was the P-reg 97 model CD trim level. I bought this second hand in 2005, and it too had every conceivable goodie with the exception of a sun roof.

So in short, your XT could have some, none or all of the goodies on offer at the time - it just depends!

Simple question, long answer!

Jack

[Derek UK]

Thanks, it's on a V plate and it does have leather and A/C but not sure what else. One of the reasons it's being sold is that it lives inside the upcoming London emission zone, somewhere I don't go. I won't like the insurance bracket but it's not much above what I've used to paying for my current car. We'll see.

[capt jack]

If it all checks out then you won't be disappointed. The S/V70 of that model is arguably one of the best cars ever built. The one regret I have about owning the last one I had is that I should never have sold it! 6 years on and I'm still kicking myself!

Jack

[DAN AT ADRIAN FLUX]

Originally Posted by Derek UK

Thanks, it's on a V plate and it does have leather and A/C but not sure what else. One of the reasons it's being sold is that it lives inside the upcoming London emission zone, somewhere I don't go. I won't like the insurance bracket but it's not much above what I've used to paying for my current car. We'll see.

Hi.
If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

[amazondean]

One of the biggest bug bearers of these v70’s is the lack of a passenger lock and latterly the boot lock. If you don’t have a remote lock and just use a key, it can be a pain. I still believe the 850 is a slightly better car. The interior trim lasts better for a start!

[capt jack]

Originally Posted by amazondean

I still believe the 850 is a slightly better car. The interior trim lasts better for a start!

I beg to differ m'lud! Most 850s succumb to the tin worm around the lower edges of the front wings, the speedos die and the dash glovebox is problematical.

I've had a 97 V70 that I took to 300,000 and the current S70 (a 98) is at 215,000. Beyond routine maintenance neither has given any real cause for disappointment.

And I reckon that the smoother lines of the 70 cars have dated much better than the more RWD-like contours of the 850! Having said that, I love my S90 for it's "proper" Volvo look, and still have a very high regard for the 740 and the 240s I've owned!

Jack

[amazondean]

Well I was basing it on the fact that on the v70 the widow switches discolour and wear, sometimes break. The door cards peel on every panel, the door cards also drop to bits, the dash switches scratch and mark easily. I also think the 850 is now looking more classy than the older v70. But that may just be my taste. I own both 850’s and early v70’s and much prefer the 850 but you are right about the 850 failings.