Had another question:

On the '06 V70, if the check engine light goes on, it is possible to read the code(s) yourself and clear the light?

For those of you with Odyssey's, what about on them?

Thanks again!

OK, thanks for everybody’s help. Sounds like the new base V70 is a pretty reliable car, it’s the extras that fail. What I would be looking at is the base V70 (2.4L I5) with third row seating and possibly a moonroof. Manual transmission. Maybe 17” wheels.

The other two I’m looking at are the Honda Odyssey LX and the Mazda5.

Here’s the full story: Married, two small kids. Current vehicles are a ’99 Honda Accord LX (78,000 miles, bought new) and a Volvo 945T (156,000 miles, I’ve had this one for two years now, previously owned by my brother-in-law who now has the Volvo SUV). Whatever I’ll buy would be kept for at least 12 or so years, and I like to do the basic work on the vehicles myself (save money and I know it’s done right). I have ~ $13,000 saved up for the next vehicle, by next winter it’ll be up to ~ $17,000 or so as I’m putting aside $400 / month. I’d finance the rest keeping payments right at $400. I put ~ 10,000 miles / year on my primary vehicle (currently the Accord) and ~ 6,000 miles / year on my commuter (currently the 945T).

The Odyssey would be a very safe, if boring, choice. The big advantage here is the sheer number sold, ~ 180,000 or so in the US in ’05 compared to 85,000 Volvos (all models!). The 85,000 is down from 100,000 in ’04. I could get the Odyssey for ~ $24,500 or so, add DVD, towing, and a few other modifications to make it look like an EX from the outside (roof rack, new mirrors, new emblem) for ~ $2,500 or so total, or $27,000 total. I can buy the Helms manual for the Odyssey for $80 and do the basic work myself very easily. The ’07 would be the Odyssey’s third generation’s third year.

The Mazda5 looks like a neat little vehicle, and cheap. ~ $19,000 for the base model with a few extras, but still with manual transmission. Holds 6, but the middle seats can’t be taken out (like they can in the Odyssey). Add a DVD system and upgrade the radio, I’d be looking at $20,000 to $20,500. The ’07 would be the Mazda5’s second year.

And the Volvo V70… I’ve never driven one but it’s very comfortable when I’ve sat in one. I’m assuming it would have the best ride and would be the most comfortable (for the front seat passengers) for longer trips. And this would also have the best gas mileage. Cost for the base V70, with third row seats, moonroof, and 17” wheels has an MSRP (’06) of $32,885. 92% of that is about $30,250.

Decisions, decisions.

A few quick questions: At the auto show there were two blue colors being used on the Volvos. One was this hideous bright blue / purple, the other was a very nice light / baby blue. Does anybody know the name of that light / baby blue? It wasn’t Barent’s Blue Metallic, so I’m assuming it will be a new color for ’07.

What’s the towing rating for the 2.4 I5 V70? Would this just involve buying a hitch, or would engine modifications need to be made? (as an example, the Odyssey towing package requires modifications to the automatic transmission)

I see that it requires premium fuel. What’s actually required? 91 octane? (which is what I think my 945T requires)

Are DVD systems feasible in the V70? With or without a moonroof?

Thanks again for all of your input. Again, it won’t be until 10 or so months before I actually buy something. In the meantime, I check these boards daily, though the 900 series.

06 V70 is pretty similar to the original 01 V70. But Volvo has been working on the various problems and getting better and better. As far as I know, the list of common failures that have been eliminated are

- upper motor mount (got the beefier one since mid 05 or so)
- electronic throttle module. No longer failing inside 50k miles like the 01s
- auto transmission seems to have improved but I still read few people having problems with 04 05s.

Failures that I'm not sure have been improved are

- Brake booster vacuum seal leak. A lot of people get this at 70k+ miles
- Upper spring seat. Common failure at 70k+ miles
- clogged ECC temperature fan spindle at 60k+ miles

If the part numbers on 06 is the same as the 01s. Then chances are they are still common failing parts.

If you get manual drive. You've eliminate the electronically controlled auto transmission which Volvo seems inexperienced with (seems like frequent transmission program changes with some fairly significant changes). None turbo eliminates any possibility of a turbo failure (doesn't seem common anyways). I'd say you have a pretty reliably vehicle. But ECU and other electronic units software updates beyond warranty period maybe dealer only. Today, Volvo dealer service is $90+ per hour. Some dealers have fairly high mark ups on parts (my local dealer charges $20 for oil filter insert. Online = $5-$6) A good Indy with $65/hour rate + online part supplier would save you good money.

Brake pads/rotors, plugs, oil/tranny fluid, coolent, engine/interior air filter are all easy with plenty of directions online. You will need some new tools (oil filter housing remove tool, a set of torx sockets + screw drivers)

Seems a few people in Volvo online forums have VADIS (volvo's shop electronic service manual) and there are diagrams floating around. I've been able to get posted procedures to most things you want to do. Asking around yield the uncommon ones quickly.

Problems I've encountered on mine 01 V70 T5 at 93k miles are listed here

http://howards01v70t5.blogspot.com/
--
2001 Volvo V70 T5 ASR Wife says we are Volvo for Life, 1992 BMW 535iA becoming The Ultimate Driving Machine

http://www.odyclub.com/index.htm

The link above is to a very informative site for Honda Odyssey. I have a 98 V70 and an 04 Ody. The Ody is very easy to work on, and the Helms manual ($75) is very detailed. The V70 is my drive-to-work car. The Ody is the family car and is great for a family of 5. The Ody handles well, accelerates great, but is noisy on the road. I'm told that a lot of the noise is due to the factory tires. The 05 and 06 are very quite. I will readily agree that the V70 seats are more comfortable than the Ody, but not $8k worth.

I like the V70, but purchased an Ody due to the numerous reliability issues we had with the V70. If it isn't reliable, it isn't safe!

No experience with the 06, but have owned two 1998 V-70 T-5's and racked up about 90,000 miles on them. Previously owned volvo 760 Turbo wagon, three 242 wagons, a 242GT, and a p1800s. We currently own a 98 V70 T5 (115K), a 2003 Honda Civic (34K), and a 2001 Honda Odyssey (65k).

My 98 T5 will likely be my last Volvo product. I like the car, but anything newer is going to be hard, if not impossible to work on yourself. If you plan on doing any of the work yourself, you will be limited to oil changes and filter changes, maybe brake work on the newer models.

The reliablity of the V70 is ok, but nothing compared to the old days (242/740/900 rear wheel drive series). The cars are much more complex now, lots more to go wrong. I've replaced a lot of things on my V70 that my older volvo's did not even have-like the abs module. I've also replaced the heater core, engine radiator, engine mounts, strut retainers, all of the front suspension, front wheel bearings, rebuilt the tail gate interior panel, and probably a few other items. I also added an Upsolute chip.

Our last car purchase was the Honda Civic. The Honda Odyssey was our first Honda product, and I purchased it without having driven one, just based on a recommendation of a friend.

I'm sold on the Honda products. The odyssey drives just like the day it was new. What the Hondas lack in "jazz" and comfort, they more than make up for in reliability and RESALE value. Depreciation on a volvo is incredible. If you plan on owning it for 10 years, maybe it won't matter, but if you get in an accident and your car gets totaled a few years down the road, you won't get much for it. I'll probably purchase another Honda as my next vehicle, but I'll miss the acceleration, braking and seating comfort of my volvo.

It sounds like you want a stick shift - and you should get a stick shift. The V70 would be a great car - very reliable and easy to work on - in base form. Overseas delivery could work but you can also special order one from any dealer with about a 3 month lead time. In this case you at least get the rebate - whatever is in effect at the time of delivery. It's a bit of a gamble but rebates have been substantial of late and you're very likely to beat the euro delivery price by a bunch with less hassle. I've had two S60 with the same drive train - they're bulletproof. It's invaribly gadgets and trinkets that fail - just don't order any (I consider AT a gadget). Gas mileage has been excellent - 27 city and 34 highway - 20 percent better than the EPA rating. Just more car than the Mazda.

1. Consumer Reports recommends it, and predicts "average" reliability.

2. I'm not sure my indy Volvo shop can work on the '06s, unless they rent the software ($$$$) from Volvo!

3. I'm considering a buying a S60T5A for my kid for a graduation present. Volvo USA is throwing in the premium package, gratis right now. So the S60T5A as I'd configure it for her would be $38,180 sticker, $33,977 invoice, and $30,066 plus tax as the actual transaction price. My point is -- the overseas delivery may not be the cheapest way to go. Check carsdirect.com for the price in your zip code and check the Volvo USA website for any specials they're running.

4. I also have two (2) Honda Odysseys. You can buy full paper maintenance manuals for them from Honda (or more correctly, Honda farms out the printing and distribution to Helms). We did the 90,000 mile service on the Oddy that my kid's using right now and it took us maybe an hour or two, including the engine air and cabin air filters, greasing the door tracks and changing the wiper blades. She was twirling the wrenches herself. Try THAT with a Volvo today! You can easily perform every service on a Honda product yourself up to the 105,000 mile service which gets a little complicated with the timing belt and spark plugs.

5. I drink the Volvo Kool-Aid like everyone else here and I like the cars, but I'd be hard pressed to recommend a Volvo over an Odyssey on any grounds except for emotion. Safety? I don't think there is any evidence at all that an Odyssey is any less safe than a V70, what the Volvo offers in structural integrity the Odyssey offers in bulk. My wife drives an '05 Oddy and with 244HP it's actually fun to drive! It's probably a quicker than a base V70 stick, too.

6. I would NOT buy the Mazda!

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 167k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, XC grill, Lidatek LE30, V-1, Mobil-1 since new

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Noel Adams (1952-2001)