We've had a 745 Turbo for ten years and are considering a '99 V70 N/A wagon with about 80,000 miles on it. Our 745T has 255k on it and I've done most of my own maintenance. What are the good and bad points of a V70? Are there recalls? If so, what are they? What's known to break and what doesn't? I hear the electrical systems leave a lot be desired. Does that mean expensive stuff like computers die or is just nusance stuff like lightbulbs and switches. Is there any one year to NOT buy and another year to definitely consider?

Any help is appreciated.
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D '90 745T 229k, '88 744GLE 129k, '96 328i, '73 911T 100k+

I have driven Volvo's since '67 and now have a 98 S 70 T5. The RWD cars are great cars, but so are the FWD cars. Totally different and you can work on the FWD's too. My large hands have more problems in the small spaces. The T5 really goes but also gets sig. better mileage than my 940T's do and it will outrun them too.

Have fun making your decision,

dick

I've driven NA S70 service loaners and didn't care for them.

The box I keep all my service records in is up to about 6 1/2 pounds now.

The "ultimate" RWD wagon is probably the 1995 945 Turbo -- unfortunately they are rare. I spent about two years looking for a nice one for my kid without success.

I was behind a nice looking mid-1980s 740T and noticed a 400k badge on the trunk...

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 173k mi, heated velour cloth comfy chairs, factory HD suspension, Bilstein HD, front IPD stabilizer bar, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, C70 jewel E-Codes, V-1, Lidatek, IPD stuff, JB Weld, Original Duck tape, zip-ties, two '06 Honda license plate nut impressions in back bumper (gift from daughter), Mobil-1 since new.

"The two largest English-speaking countries in the world are India (350 million out of 1 billion) and the United States (300 million). By 2025 the number of English speaking Chinese is likely to exceed the number of native English speakers in the rest of the world."

Wow! Comparing a 745T to a V70NA is like aples and oranges. The NA doesn't have much get up and go, there is no power surge, but it does get around 30mpg on the highway.
Because of the electronic throttle introduced in 1999, I would look for a 1998 or a 2002 V70.
Of course the V70 is harder to work on with less room in the engine compartment, but there are so many new features that were not available when the 745 was built. The V70 is a lot safer, but a little smaller in the important space box in the rear. An 80inch sofa will stick out a lot :)

When buying a Volvo, it is not the miles on the Odo that count, but the service records. And the ability to trust the seller.

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Thanks for the feedback. I'll stay away from the '99 V70 due to the Electric Throttle control. The seller is a wealthy relative of a friend so I'm thinking the car went to the dealer for EVERYTHING. I may go hunting for a 95 945T eventually. I'd thought of looking for a '99 - '01 BMW E49 Touring with the M52 engine (528i Wagon) but I think they're a little on the small side.

For now I'll keep the 745T. I replaced the starter in it today. It took me all of 45 minutes. I'd bet that's a little more difficult on a FWD Volvo.
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D '90 745T 229k, '88 744GLE 129k, '96 328i, '73 911T 100k+

I own a 1998 V70 and also a 1989 760 which is very similar to a 745T. I am amazed how different the two car are although both are Volvos. There is a tremendous difference between the FWD V70 and a RWD 760. In many ways they cannot be compared. One is an older cast-iron 4 cylinder 8 valve SOHC design. The other is a modern all aluminum 5 cylinder 20 valve DOHC. The V70 is smoother and gets better gas mileage. It's actually shorter than a 760. It's definitely not a bigger wagon.

From strictly a maintenance point of view, the 760 is much easier to work on and the parts are more available and much cheaper. For example, FCP carries many more 700 parts than for the V70. From the performance point of view, my V70 T5 with 240HP is vastly superior. I plan on keeping both!

I think the 1998 is one of the best years because of the normal throttle.

For a long time I thought the ultimate Volvo wagon was the V90 but I've heard all kinds of reliability horror stories about it. Maybe I'll look for a 945T. As for performance - I'd put a BMW M3 against about any Volvo T5 - Better Chassis - and a little more power.
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D '90 745T 229k, '88 744GLE 129k, '96 328i, '73 911T 100k+

By the time the BMW M3 gets to 150K miles, you could have purchase an additional T5 for your garage!! The engine parts are terribly expensive and hard to DIY. Plus all of the suspension bits on the M3 also need to change.

The V70 is not quite as large as a 965T, but we are talking inches. The starter is also easily replaced in a V70, after spending 5 minutes taking out the electric fan. There are trade offs, and it depends on what you really want. We do not control your purse, we are all just nuts about our Volvos.

Klaus
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The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

Like the 850's before them, the V70 have their idiosyncracies. Great cars though. I two of the 850 turbo wagons...parts are redily available on ebay and quite a few other places. I had the 240 turbo/intercooled before the 850's, so if you are used to the turbo cars, I would probably find a good T5 version. Great, respectable grocery getter for the family, great get up and go when you're all alone...the best of both worlds really....good luck!