I have a '98 V70 awd that I bought from the original owner 8 years ago w/55K miles. we have put about 88K miles on it and have had no major problems. I am guessing from the comments I have read over the years about this car that I have been lucky to have had no problems with the transmission, AWD system (bevel gear), etc. I have made a point of changing the oil (using mobil 1) every 5K miles, having the transmission flushed, doing suggested maintenance, etc. The car has not been trouble-free, and I imagine that repair costs (I have a very good local indy mechanic) are probably more than for a Toyota, Honda, or Subaru, but for a 14-year-old car they are not bad. I have been rewarded with the best, most comfortable, safest car I have owned. No rust (I live in Vermont and bought the car in Chicago) after 14 winters of salted roads), and it has kept my family safe. It is a solid car. Having said that, I would not have bought AWD if we did not live in a very snowy area. There is a mileage penalty and the worry that something might go wrong with the awd system. Great car, though. Hope to keep it another 5-10 years. Here, our option was a Subaru, which are great cars but not as comfortable and they tend to rust (I have owned both--Volvo is more comfortable and solid and rust-free).

By the way, problems I have had have tended to do with front suspension (control arms, tie rods, etc.) and O2 sensors. Oh, and we had an oil leak that turned out to be a rear cam seal. Good luck!

I've driven 140/240 for decades (still have 5 of them) and I love our 850s and especially the '98 S70 T5 5-speed. Also plan to buy a 2013 XC70 when the new engines are unwrapped. But I'd be leery of a used FWD to replace an "unreliable 240" on a restrictive budget. The maintenance you describe sounds more like $500 and a lost weekend to me. You simply have to pay or DIY in life for most things.

The 1998-2000 V70s are good cars, the 99&00 have ETM (electronic throttle) which was a problem area. The 4 speed auto is not prone to break, but they do need flushing every 50K miles or so. The timing belt repl is due at 105K intervals, but many 99s have had it done early.

HOWEVER -

If you cannot DIY, don't buy a Volvo. Even the indies cost a lot. These car will typically have 150K+ miles on them, they will need the PCV system and EGR cleaned, the sensors are getting old, most of them will need new struts and steering pieces. The AC may or may not work well.

A 2005-6 Toyota or Honda will be much cheaper to maintain. Or a Ford Taurus wagon, etc. It is also easier to find a GOOD mechanic for domestic cars that doesn't charge an arm and a leg for labor.

Keep all options open:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/2925938251.html


Klaus

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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

"...He must rely on independent mechanics. He has considered a Honda Accord due to lower maintenance costs...but, it unfortunately does not have the 'character' of a Volvo...."

As much as I like Volvos (driven them for over 35 years) if he has to pay a mechanic for all of his repairs, The Honda-Toyota-Hyudai option may be his best bet in the long run.

On the other hand, if he can afford to pay for the "character", then hey, Volvo it is!

Skip the XC70's and any AWD cars until 2003 when the drive system was changed.

98 S70/V70 are good but no AWD's. Or consider a 95-97 850. Same car as the 1998 S70/V70's. 1995-98's are some of the best cars Volvo has ever built. My 95 850 wagon so far (almost 200k) has been a better car than my 90 240 was...:)

1999-2000 S70/V70's are pretty good too except for the electronic throttle module.