'99 and newer volvos come with electronic ignition, no distributor cap , no rotor, no spark plug cables. also they have Electronic throttle, handled by a computer module that fails before 50K miles, expensive to fix and more electronic gizmos.

The more electronics and computer modules, the less reliable the car, thus why the '99-'00 S80 is the least reliable.

The '98 S70/V70 should have been called '98 850 since they share a lot of mechanical parts and same drivetrain, but because of the exterior design change, it was renamed. The '99 70 series is totally different from the 850, on the outside and inside.

Yes, Toyotas and Hondas are more reliable than the newer volvos, but there is no comparison when my V70 is parked next to a japanese common car, the volvo wins hands down everytime.
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'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay