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I've been dying to own a c70 since I saw my first one in 1997. So.... in 2010, I was able to find a 1998 c70 with high miles and a hole in the hood for $1,500.
I like fixer-uppers.
After replacing the strut mounts, spring seats, hood and a front O2 sensor it became a nice reliable car for another year - until a heater hose blew and it nearly over heated.
I say nearly because as a previously dedicated RWD volvo owner, I learned that the only two things that kill the FWD dead is a snapped timing belt and a full overheat.
In my case, the near-overheat weakened the head gasket at the #3 cylinder. This led to an extended series of cooling system repairs that included the junction block, expansion tank, radiator, thermostat, hoses, and finally a head gasket replacement in September.
It's a little bit of a horror story, but I tell it because I performed *all* the repairs myself. I'm a geographer, not a car mechanic. Yet I'm cruising around in my increasingly nice looking c70 even today, for the cost of parts, and a few extra tools in my toolbox.
Don't let the tight-looking engine make you afraid to do your own work. A few relatively inexpensive specialized tools from IPD will let you maintain a 70-series as effectively as you did your 200 and 700 series.
If you want to know more about the engine, read this guy's engine work guide.
http://www.tracystruesoaps.com/tutorials/850hg/p1.html
Once you know the engine, all the 850s and 70s open up to you. These are really enjoyable cars to drive.
Best of luck with whatever you choose.
1998 c70 Coupe, 221,800 miles and climbing.
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