I now own a '92 745 Turbo and am looking to buy my second Volvo. I'm thinking of a '98 or '99 V70 or V70 R with all wheel drive, and I'm looking for other people's expereinces with them. Are there any common trouble areas with these cars? Are they generally reliable (my wife will be driving w/ our two small children)? Any "minor" annoyances that take some getting used to (Like I've grown used to the rattles and squeaks in my 745)? Or should I focus on something else (Other options might be a Subaru Legacy, a Honda Odyssey, or a BMW 5-series wagon--I know it's an apples/oranges choice). Thanks!

Two years ago I bought a used (16K miles) 2000 V70R AWD. I've yet to have a single mechanical problem. Installed Gislaved snow tires for the winters here in upstate New York. Fantastic. Buy one.
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Sullivan V70R/AWD/2000

Do NOT buy a 1999 V70 with All Wheel Drive. Did you know that if you blow a tire, you must replace all four tires or risk damaging the AWD system? We blew a tire going 75 miles an hour on the freeway about 200 miles from home with our two babies in the car. We immediately pulled over and put on the Volvo spare tire. We replaced the blown tire with a new tire meeting Volvo specs. Less than 20 miles later, the car blew up in smoke and we were stranded in the middle of no where with our kids in the car. $3000 worth of repairs later, Volvo is claiming it is not responsible for the A drive and driveshaft needing to be replaced as we should have known we needed to replace all four tires. Volvo customer service is awful. Volvo has known for years that it designed a defective AWD system and yet they refuse to take responsibility and blame the customer. Needless to say, they have redesigned the AWD - hmmm. My next car will ne a Honda.

The new AWD system made by Haldex of sweeden is better in a lot of ways, but the AWD system in the older models works just fine.....if YOU take care of it the way Volvo tells you to in the owners manual. I know plenty of people who love their V/S70AWD's & V70R's. Yes it is a PIA to HAVE to not let the OD of the tires get out of spec, but quite a few people are very happy with their AWD Volvos. As for me.....no thanks, too much extra weight, money, maintanance and not enough performance gains for me.

Anyhow.....enjoy your Honda
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Steve F. in Hoboken, NJ

We bought a 1998 V70 AWD and traded it in on a Subaru Outback in less than 2 months.

Problems? Noises, rattles and knocks that nobody at the dealer could figure out, weird transmission and engine behavior, strange electrical stuff, poor gas mileage, rear shocks that are $250 each...you want more?

No, Subaru does not have the level of refinement of Volvo. But it's reliable, gets good gas mileage, and it's AWD works. I just wish it had Volvo seats...

After owning many FWD cars, and some RWD models as well, I can say that AWD is by far the best for my location. In the valley it usually rains (a little snow now & then). But when it is time to head into the Sierras to ski, AWD is a great feature. I run high performance all season tires and can enjoy the wet or snow, without the handicap of snow tires. It really depends on your needs. I also retuned engine to 300+ hp, and AWD keeps the car on the pavement better than anything I have ever driven.
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98 R Wagon, all kinds of goodies 94 854 Sedan some goodies 92 740 Rag Wag

Some good input in the listed responses. I am a somewhat unsatisfied 2001 V70 T5 owner because of a string of problems...none of which on their own were major....suspension issues, rattles, poor fit and finish. The big picture of the car just didn't inspire confidence so I bailed out.

The Volvo V70 is tough to beat when you have small kids. I miss some of the child friendly features and the T5 engine is truely one of the best engines ever built.

Since purchasing a BMW 5 series wagon, I am enjoying the driving experience (along with the confidence) which was missing in the V70. The V8 drinks petrol like there is a hole in the tank(16-18MPG ave.), has very little leftover room in the engine compartment, but ......hauls ass.

......but I digress, my only real point here is to echo the "stay with 2wd" sentiment, regardless of the make. Why anyone would tangle with the issues associated with awd is beyond me. Four dedicated snows (with ample tread) will get any well balanced car through snow. Traction control on most high end cars really narrows the gap between 2 & 4 wheel drive considerably. If you are like me and can justify a 4wd pickup for other uses, you are always assured a way out of the house (or a ride home) in an all out blizzard.

I think that for most folks who live on paved roads below the arctic circle, 2wd will perform nicely.

Even an AWD will perfom horribly with banana skin tires....

Go with a FWD model....if you need more traction spend the extra money on a set of high quality dedicated winter tires/wheels.
If I "needed" a safe FWD transport......I would get a Hummer!
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Steve F. in Hoboken, NJ

I drive a 98 AWD and I really love my car. It's not been problem free but I've come to the conclusion that all AWD's require attention and extra care, check tire pressure, same tires etc.

However much I like mine, if I had to do it over again, I'd probably go with a T5 FWD. If you don't need AWD then don't choose the AWD. Extra weight, extra mechanism. From what I hear, a T5 FWD does quite well with snow tires.
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98 V70 AWD, IPD ECU, K&N, Volvo FSB, Dunlop SP5000, IPD Sport Spring

Just a general feel from reading this board for a few months.....the later models(1999 on) aren't made as well as the older Volvos. The 97 850 is where they peak I think.

Search on "bevel gear" and "viscous coupling" using the search
field (below, to the right) to find postings on these issues.

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=467326

1.) Consumer Reports has a bazillion readers who fill out questionaires about problems and they say avoid the XC.

2.) Subarus have a sort of "Tupperware" feel to me. Reliable according to CR. Would pick the Forester over the Legacy with 2 kiddies.

3.) HAVE a Honda Oddity, it's not missed a beat so far, but I can't say I enjoy driving it. If you need a big box with wheels, it's a great big box with wheels.

4.) 5-series wagons aren't that common, also if you get the V8 you may not want to experience repairs once the warranty expires. Look at the clearances (or lack) in the engine bay.

5.) Swedes did without AWD between the end of the last ice age and 1997. What's wrong with a 2WD V70 or 850? (There ARE issues with all recent Volvos including the rather pricey AC evaporator and ABS module, but nothing as insurmountable as the angle gear-bevel gear issue of the XC.)

All IMHO.

-bill d cat

The big areas of complaint on the AWD are the bevel gear in transaxle & viscous coupling on drive shaft to rear. Bottom line is you must always have same exact size tires at all 4 locations. Also make sure to inspect coupling's cover whenever you have the car serviced. Also use synthetic fluid in transaxle. My wagon is the second car I have owned with this AWD setup. The first was a Talon which had zero problems, and to date I have had zero problems on the wagon too.
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98 R Wagon, all kinds of goodies 94 854 Sedan some goodies 92 740 Rag Wag