I will be buying a new vehicle by late spring or early summer of next year. One of the ones I was looking at was the V70, mainly because I can get it with manual transmission, and I love manual transmission (the other leading contender is the Volkeswagon Passat wagom). However, I also like to do much of the maintenance / repair work myself. Can you get a Haynes manual or Chiltons manual for a new V70?

I just read this from a Jim Mateja column in the Chicago Tribune today (October 19) (it references an S80, I assume a V70 would be in the same boat one way or the other):

Q. I purchased a Volvo S80 with an extended warranty. The little work needed has been done promptly at no charge. However, while Volvo offers an owner's manual it isn't affording basic service or maintenance information with a service manual unless you subscribe to an online Web manual at $100 per year. It's difficult to change a cabin air filter as advised in the owner's manual when the filter's location is a secret. J.V., Elmhurst

A. Cars have gotten so complex, do-it-yourself work has become passe, Volvo said. But you can purchase a service manual--for $1,500. The manual is very large and very detailed, as it should be for $1,500. So the $100 online manual is cheap by comparison.


Thanks!