Thought I'd buck the usual trend and post our positive experience with our 1999 S70 base sedan.

We ordered ours from the factory in spring of 1999. It's a non-turbo, manual transmission model...the only option we ordered was the sunroof. Pewter Silver Metallic, tan (taupe?) vinyl/cloth interior.

We're up to about 55,000 miles now, and this is by far the best car we've ever owned. We have experienced absolutely no major problems to date. The minor problems we've had: Passenger window switch came loose, and was replaced under warrantee. Front blinker buckets replaced under TSB/Recall (not sure which) and headlight bulbs replaced maybe twice.

We replaced the Michelin MXV4's at about 37,000 miles...they still had some tread left, but one took a nail so we replaced all 4 with a set of Continental CH95 all-seasons -- the Continentals handle way better in the dry, and are good in the rain and snow we get up here in northern Mich.

We just had the brakes replaced -- at the 50,000 mile service, the dealership said they were down to the wear limit. They should last longer now that we're not in Indiana, where everyone forced us to use our brakes to avoid hitting them.

We have noticed no rattles. No squeaks, no detaching interior panels, no electronics going haywire. Nothing. The car is as solid as the day we bought it. When a hailstorm/tornado broke a headlight, I found that the car is amazingly easy to work on, as well. (Compared to the GM's I'm used to)

When dirty, the color hides the dirt. When clean, the car *gleams*. The interior fabric is durable with a capital D -- similar to the tough fabric on airline seats. The seats are immensely comfortable, and make 10 hour driving stints downright easy.

With the back and front seats folded down, I've carried an 8' stepladder home from the hardware store with all doors and trunk closed, and a 12' roll of carpet with the last bit hanging out of the trunk. The square design allows the trunk to be totally usable, and allows major passenger room -- adult passengers can ride in the backseat behind me, comfortably.

I would unhesitatingly recommend an S70 to anyone looking for a car, based on our experience.