Volvo S70?

[bigdude1011]

Looking around for a safe, cheap-ish car for myself, I came across a 1999 Volvo S70 for about $5000. It seems to have 9 months of rego on it, and is only about 50-70km away.
The only problem is that it has almost 250,000km on it. I have no idea of how tough the newer Volvos are, but what I know is that the older ones (240, 740/760) last for a long time. I also have no idea how expensive a Volvo is to own. (fuel, service, insurance, etc)
If someone could please help me out, that would be great!!
Thank you

[Qwik6]

Volvos are pretty resiliant things just like any other car as long it has a good service history. I worked in a Volvo dealer for a while, didnt hear of many serious problems with any of them. Just as long as its been looked after, it should be fine.

[Fairlane]

Cant kill em with a tank. The S70 is essentially an old Volvo 850.

About the only thing id really worry about is the transmission, volvo transmissions arent cheap. Otherwise keep and eye of servicing stuff, Im pretty sure the inline 5 has got a timing belt. Fuel is not that good on the older volvo's, newer ones are much better, servicing is better than some euro's, but thats about it.

Heres a review for when it was new
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...w?OpenDocument

[Scott]

+1 for the "can't kill 'em brigade". It's a pity Volvos are Volvos, they really are a great car.

[XR6Runner]

Agreed, I have 2 friends who have driven Volvo's their whole life. They both modified them and one is making near 300rwkw out of the 5cyl turbo, with original manual transmission.

The thing has held up for years with that power and is still running very strong and solid. Like everybody else said, if taken care of, a very great and reliable piece of machinery.

[RSgerry]

How would one of these go with towing a car and a trailer? for that matter, how would other larger Volvos go with this? they represent really good vaue second hand and have a reputation as being bullet proof. my brother recently got an S40 turbo and while it isnt a rocket, it moves along at a very nice pace.

[smoo]

My mate has the N/A 5 cylinder model and its a bloody nice car, only let him down once in the 4 years hes had it... was the air flow sensor... $300 second hand, not the cheapest.
These things are bloody cheap these days, had the chance to buy the kitted out turbo S70 wagon in silver not long ago for $4000, nicer than any jappa.

I've seen the S80 T6's as low as $5000 but personally as nice as they are, I wouldn't touch the cheaper ones, mainly for the g/boxes reliability.

[ehast13]

I've had six volvo's (wife's cars) and not even she can kill them. She still has an 850. We've done 200.000klms in it. Change the timing belt every 80,000klms (about 350bucks fitted) and that's it.

It gets about 6.7 l/100klm on the highway and about 10L/100k around town.

Way more economical than the old 240/740 and much quicker.

I've towed plenty of stuff in the 850 and it is just common sense. Nothing's broken yet.....

[whiteELXR6]

my olds have got an S60 turbo 03 model great car and as everyone else says there boody tough can't break em. Like anything euro parts aren't cheap but aslong as they are regularly serviced they should treat you well.

[ehast13]

Still cheaper than a toyota for parts.

Factory Volvo parts are certainly cheaper than factory ford parts in my experience.

[MADED-6]

yeah i work at volvo as a mechanic the only car id steer clear of is an s80 t6 they have alot of problems with transmissions and are just not that nice a car to drive in my opinion.
but what u are looking at is a nice car but those k's while it will last a lot longer i wouldnt want a car that age with those k's.
is it a turbo or non turbo?
as people have said make sure it is regularly serviced (more so if turbo) and it'll be a great car.
and about the parts maybe non genuine parts are cheap on a volvo im not sure as we use all genuine being a dealer but i no genuine parts are not cheap be any means.
cheers josh.