I am loking to purchase a 1998 s70 non-turbo for $7,000. Oil was changed every 3,000 t0 5,000 miles. Volvo serviced every 10,000 miles. Currently there are 90,000 miles on the car and it needs the 90,000 mile service. I talked to the former owner and he indicated the car was very well maintained and he traded it in for a new lexus es300. He indicated the car was fine mechanically he just didn't like the ride the car gave him (too harsh), The lexus dealer gave him $5,000 for a trade and then wholesaled it to another used car dealer. The only issue he mentioned to me(former owner) was that the last Volvo battery only lasted a year, and he was concerned that the car might start to have electical problems. He just wanted to give me this info so I was informed.
Does this seem like a good price and does a battery lasting only a year seem like a problem. Does anyone have any other advice on what to watch out for in the 1998 model year. Thanks for your thoughts. Mike

$7,000 doesn't seem awfully bad. $5,000 would be better.

Try "edmunds.com" for prices.

The 90,000 mile service is a doozy, including spark plugs, see if you can get several hundred bucks knocked off the price if it hasn't been done.

Look for the service records, the timing belt was supposed to be replaced at 70,000. There should be a silver sticker under the hood if it's been replaced.

I'm on my third Volvo battery.

Some people have lemony ABS modules. I'm still on my first. In addition to multiple battery failures, problems include the AC evaporator (look for a sticker indicating dye has been added), heater core, the automatic transmission PNP switch, power window switch pack, power seat, sway bar end links, upper engine mount, horn, power seat cable, warped brake rotors, power locks, sunroof, etc. etc.

See kino's survey at http://kinovolvo.velez.ws/

Also Bay 13 for common problems: http://www.volvospeed.com/bay13.htm

Make sure all the power gizmos work.

-bill d cat

The battery must have been a lemon. I'm still running on the original.

Known problems:
ABS/TRACS controller (was this replaced? Big problem in 98, $350-416 for the part)
Headlight/turn lamp wiring (fixed in recalls)
CD changer (unreliable, but nice sound)

Possible problems
Evaporator (reported by some, but mostly on 850's, repair is $1000+)
There are other niggling complaints, you'll hear about them soon.

Price the car out at kbb.com

He traded in the car because he preferred the ride in a Lexus? Remind me not to buy a Lexus. The S70 is a nice car - and the handling's pretty good for FWD. Durable car, with European shade-tree mechanic qualities. The 5cyl engine was designed by Porsche, originally appeared in late 80's on Audis.

I really like my car.
--
David \\ (98 S70 T5SE Black, misc mods (mostly lighting), red calipers) (92 940GLE)