Looking at selling three cars I'm not crazy about for one that I actually want -- a C70, probably a 2000 or later model. I'm torn between convertible vs. coupe, LT vs. HT. Plenty to choose from in the SF Bay Area, though, where the low-end zip of the LT engine might actually be a better way to go.

What I want: (1) a bit more performance and updated styling over our base '97 850; (2) decent gas mileage (in the 20's); and (3) maintenance costs not more than our '99 V80R AWD.

What I'm concerned about: I've read a real mix of reviews of the C70 online, with most of the problems centering around (1) the convertible top and (2) the '98 - '99 model years.

Knowing that people who are dissatisfied tend to talk about it a lot more than people who are satisfied, I honestly don't know what to make of what I've read. Any words of wisdom from current or previous owners on the Brickboard?

Thanks in advance.

-KB
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'99 V70R AWD || '97 850 || '90 780 Turbo

One problem with both models is the frameless power windows. The mechanisms are similar to Audis, by Siemens I think, so they are German expensive too. I had to replace the drivers side window mechanism, and the parts were about 800, not including labor. Works fine now, but I don't use it much on purpose.

Also, wind noise is not on par with V70s, due to the frameless windows.

Its a nice car, but with flaws. I bought used, would never buy new, way too expensive at the time. Hopefully, the new C70 with hardtop convertible will be better.

The rest of the car is largely a V70 (old model), so its pretty solid.

Jeff
98 C70 T5M

Thanks, Jeff. I took the plunge on Wednesday and bought a beautiful '99 C70 Convertible with only 29K miles on it. I can hear what you mean about the wind noise, but am glad I was expecting it.

The body flex still surprises me -- couldn't really be prepared for that. I'm going to try an EST strut brace first, then IPD's sway bars if I need 'em.

Thanks again.

-KB
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'99 V70R AWD || '97 850 || '90 780 Turbo

What is an "EST" strut brace and what does this do? Is it hard to install?
Special Ed

It's an upper-front strut tower brace from Eurosport Tuning.

http://www.eurosporttuning.ca/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VLS-380-101&Category_Code=VL-C70-su

Don't know about your C70, Ed, but my convertible has WAY too much body flex. A similar strut brace in my '90 780 Turbo made a world of difference (and that's a hardtop), so I'm hoping for a bit more solid ride with it installed. I'm hoping to take delivery and get it installed sometime next week.

Installation should be easy. It's a simple thing, and everything you need to work with is easily accessible simply by opening the hood. The only thing which might present a challenge is the fuse box on the driver's side strut tower.

I'll actually be putting in front and rear IPD anti-sway bars this weekend. A bit trickier, that install, but I expect to have it done in under three hours. I realized last week that the IPD anti-sway bars I bought last year for my 850 (but never installed before I sold the 850) are also a fit for the C70. And a C70 Convertible needs the bars far more than even an 850....

-KB
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'99 V70R AWD || '97 850 || '90 780 Turbo

Whatever you do, steer clear on the convertable. They're one of Volvos worst cars ever built and especially if you want the top to move up/dwn on occasion.

No, it wasn't the worst Volvo ever built. The C70 convertible was a very expensive car with a lot of engineering design. But, the folding roof was extremely complex with many moving parts. You know what happens to complex machinery over time, especially if it has not been meticulously maintained. If you could find a garage queen, it might be a reasonable buy. But I suggest you avoid one if the roof is already non-functional. BMW had similar problems with their 3 series. The manual roofs were durable and easy to use. The electric ones were incredible expensive to repair, and they broke frequently.

Thanks very much. Disappointing news about the convertible tops, but not too surprising.

Does there seem to be any correlation between environmental conditions and the electronic roofs? Being in the San Francisco bay area, the car would see temperate weather year round, few (if any) hard freezes, not much dust, no snow, and the inside of my garage most of the time. Would this likely help, or not matter?

Also, AM, what sort of meticulous maintenance should one expect to do? Are there particular areas that need to stay lubed/clean/dry/etc.? Or would one just always have the service tech give it a once-over at each service interval?

Whatever exact C70, I end up getting, it will most likely be my tooling-around-town car, as our V70R AWD is our main road machine. Plus, my wife isn't a huge fan of convertible driving anyway, so the thing may very well stay retracted most of the time.

...and for that reason I may end up just getting a C70 Coupe with a nice moonroof anyway.

Thanks for all comments thus far.

-KB
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'99 V70R AWD || '97 850 || '90 780 Turbo