I've been driving Volvos since 1973. Have had 144, 122 wagons, 245 and am pleased with my 96 850 wagon. It's the best one of the crop, so far, IMHO. My wife wants to replace her 95 Diamante with something a bit out of the ordinary. Considering a 99 SAAB 9-5 or 2000 Volvo S-70. Both come from their respective dealers as "Certified" used vehicles. The S-70 has 34,000 miles, always dealer serviced. The warranty would carry us about 32 months (up to 5 yrs from original date of sale) or 100,000 miles. Asking price $19,995. Could anyone comment on their experiences with this model? Any trouble spots we need to know about, etc. Did Volvo improve the AC evaporators, or would we expect to do this in a couple years?

I posted this a few days ago for another fella asking about the S70
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Here's my take... I haven't posted in a while but I own a 2000 S70 non-turbo 5sp manual. I love the car. However my soon to-be wife will probably be driving it the most. I put about 500 miles on it every weekend (GA to SC).

1) Use this website to the fullest. Many times you will diagnose your problems on this board when the dealer has no clue. Speaking of dealers, find a good mechanic or a better dealer than mine. My dealer is good on the customer service, but expensive.

The private mechanics know about this site, but the dealers have no clue. I bought our car with factory warranty still in effect. So, I got a list of issues from this site and checked them out on the car when I bought it, then got my local dealer to fix them all. Worked out nicely.

Now for my problems... although they were minor.
2) Squeaks! From the first time I test drove the car it had chirping sounds. This is common and is noted throughout this board. The front controller arm brushings will make this noise, and may need replacing. Probably not universal but it happened on mine.
3) The motor mount brushing was all ready mentioned, it is also a squeak cause.
4) The rotors seem to like to be replaced around 60k. I replaced my back set and still have a few millimeters on the front set. They will go quicker if you use non-Volvo or "harder" brake pads. I'm not sold on this brake pad theory, but I've been told it before and read it here a couple of times. I use Volvo pads just in case.
5) I lost my temperature gauge for the climate control at about 40k, but that was a cheap (well free... warranty in effect.... I don't think it was an expensive part.. I usually ask.) 15min fix for the shop.
6) When braking over rough roads you may feel a pulsing or clicking though the brake pedal. I searched this board pretty hard, and found out the problem. This is the ABS system adjusting for the uneven road. I must say that feeling in the pedal really freaked me out for a while. I only notice it working when driving slowly though heavy construction zones.
Those were my problems with a 2000 non-turbo. Now for the good stuff:

1) Safer than a tank. Although it wouldn't fair to well against a hellfire missile or anything like that.
2) Very smooth ride, especially on those long rides to SC... 250 mi one way.
3) Less fatigue on those long trips thanks to the amazing seats in this car. My fiancé and I love this car's seats. However we miss having a sunroof. : | Oh well.
4) The non-turbo is the same engine but without the turbo. It puts out a respectable 167hp. Paired with my manual (which I can never find for sale anymore.) it goes pretty quickly. I replaced the air filter with a free-flowing K&N... I guess that helps?? I f-e-e-l faster.
5) Classic look. I don't care for the newer rounded shapes. This was the last of the bricks, and we are trying to find another one to purchase... must have the manual though.
6) The engine. This power plant does it all. Its efficient, clean, and powerful. The design is genius, an inline 5cyl. People look at me like I'm crazy when I mention inline 5cyl. My two buddies drive a 99 BMW M3 and a 03 Mini Cooper S and they both are amazed with the engine.
I'm at 57k right now and I love the car. The repairs are minor. We are always on the hunt of a second. I stayed away from the 98’s and still do because of the engine maintained procedure changes and the light bulb recall (even though that is now fixed by the recall). I just see all the bad posts here about problems with the ABS module or other issues and it typically relates back to a 98’. I figure 2000 was the last year hopefully they fixed a good bit of the little bugs.

This is just my opinion hope it helps.

JH

I have an S70, but only have 13K on it. I've been happy with it. Only a couple minor problems so far: hood cable broke and 4-way flasher module failed. Both were replaced under warantee. There was a recall for the headlight wipers and headlights that was also done under warantee.