General: 70: Falling in love again with my 1998 V70 T5 CD auto

[Tweedle12]

I am just back from a trip with my V70. The car behaved impeccably over the 640 miles round trip and averaged 32 mpg. I arrived after my 7 hour journey unfatigued and without any aches and pains thanks to the fantastic seats. Even 23 years on, these cars are superb long-distance cruisers. I also appreciated the space as I had seats down and a load in the rear on both journey legs.

[Luxobarge]

Yep, I have the same feeling every time I take the old barge away on a long trip, nothing to touch that feeling of solidity and those super comfy seats eh?

[Clogs]

We've just been to Scotland... 620 miles there, 640 back, both in one day, plus pootling around the North and Skye, another 1,250 - the distances to get anywhere and back to the holiday cottage are usually over 100 miles there and another 100 back - so 2,500 miles clocked up in 12 days without any problems. Petrol is freely available - but we've had to use E10 instead of the usual higher octane as it wasn't always available in remoter areas. Overall 31.5 mpg.

However it needs a service and there are some creaks from the old bushes the MoT said were advisories earlier in the year. It still overtakes with alacrity those slow coach motorhomes that infest the Highlands, and for a 22 year old car the ride and seats mean long journeys do not result in a creaky back or tiredness. There's life in the old girl yet!

[T5R92011]

I agree.

I have never been so relaxed behind the wheel of a vehicle than I have since I bought my V70 2.4 n/a auto.

Combine that car, with a Google maps on your smartphone, and travelling, even through somewhere like Bristol, is just so effortless and relaxing.

These Volvos are just the best value especially as they designed to last a very long time. I'm not sure about anyone else, but I include "rust proofing" as an essential element of a vehicles overall reliablity, and it's why I always rate Volvos as more reliable than Hondas, because Volvo's will still be on the road when most Hondas hit the scrap yard due to rust.

[Dippydog]

I have three cars a year 2000 Vauxhall Omega 3.0 saloon owned for 10 years,the year 2000 V70[140 Classic]owned for just over 5 years and a 1995 960 2.9 saloon owned for just over 2 years.Of the three the V70 looks[and is]the worst paintwork wise,I've thought of painting it but perversely I quite like it as is.All three are very comfortable cars,the two saloons are automatics the V70 a manual.If for some reason I had to sell all three it's the V70 I'd miss the most,for some reason I've developed a real soft spot for the old bus,not a racing car by any means but still holds its own well enough.

[RollingThunder]

I know exactly what you mean Tweedle - I was starting to get frustrated at the number of small jobs that need doing to the 850R considering mine was supposed to be a 'mint' Japanese import. On my scale it only just makes it as 'very good' example.

However, our recent holiday jaunt - also up to Scotland - made me fall in love with it again. It took us 8 hours to get up there and 9 hours for the return journey (mainly due to roadworks). After we got out of the car at the end of both journeys, we were hardly aching at all. And of course the car was faultless throughout the 860 or so miles. I can't think of any other car seats that are so comfortable and supportive - I was aching more after a 1 hour trip as a passenger in a Jag XF!

So the P80s are definitely one of the best long distance cruisers of all time - IMHO

[andrewc1267]

Originally Posted by RollingThunder

I know exactly what you mean Tweedle - I was starting to get frustrated at the number of small jobs that need doing to the 850R considering mine was supposed to be a 'mint' Japanese import. On my scale it only just makes it as 'very good' example.

However, our recent holiday jaunt - also up to Scotland - made me fall in love with it again. It took us 8 hours to get up there and 9 hours for the return journey (mainly due to roadworks). After we got out of the car at the end of both journeys, we were hardly aching at all. And of course the car was faultless throughout the 860 or so miles. I can't think of any other car seats that are so comfortable and supportive - I was aching more after a 1 hour trip as a passenger in a Jag XF!

So the P80s are definitely one of the best long distance cruisers of all time - IMHO

I agree totally the seats must be manufactured with high quality foam the V70R I just got rid of had covered just under 190k and all the seats where mint all still in shape and even the bolsters hadn't started to crack and wear

[brickman]

Originally Posted by andrewc1267

I agree totally the seats must be manufactured with high quality foam the V70R I just got rid of had covered just under 190k and all the seats where mint all still in shape and even the bolsters hadn't started to crack and wear

Aye the newer Volvo (2004 or 7 on) don't have leather, its a synthetic that sort of looks like leather. Doesn't age well though. WEnt to see best part of a dozen mk3/ V70 (2008-13), all were nice, but the seats looked like they had dried out and then somehow melted? Almost all had evidence of leaking windscreen or just stank of mildew.