1998 Volvo V70XC -- what should I know?

[klaucke]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking into a 1998 Volvo V70XC. It's AWD, w/ 5-cylinder turbo, 160k miles and has some small issues. Are there any chronic issues I should watch out for with this model of car? It would be my first Volvo, and my first OBDI/II car (actually, it would be the newest car I've ever owned). I'm coming from a line of Jeep Cherokees but have decided to jump ship.

The timing belt was replaced recently, apparently with some of the top-end because the belt did fail and it is an interference engine (so I'm told). So that is now taken care of, although the timing belt cover was damaged and now no longer seals the compartment in which the timing belt resides. Not sure if contamination will be an issue, b/c this will be a New England winter car.

I've never owned a Turbo car before, so this would be my first. The big issue is that it currently has a misfire that I need to investigate a bit before I purchase the car. Plugs/wires/cap+rotor were done by the current owner to no avail, so it's likely a fuel or compression issue. Current owner doesn't want to put any more money into the car to fix. I'm going to do a compression test tonight, does anyone know what "good" compression is on this motor? I'm slightly concerned about the added complexity and stress the Turbo adds to the motor -- perhaps it reduces the lifespan of the motor in these vehicles?

I know a lot of folks get high miles out of Volvo wagons, but I'm mostly familiar with the older RWD cars. This is a 1998 - right around the time Ford took over - is it considered to be one of the Ford made/influenced cars? Hoping to get at least 3 years out of the car, so figure up to ]200k miles. Do these cars routinely get up to that mileage without big issues?

[fingpilot]

I have a sister that swears by those.

She has totalled 5 of them.

[SteveWig]

I would avoid this model - ask me how I know....
My wife's V70XC has just over 100K and the independent Volvo mechanic that we use is suggesting we sell it before it hits 125,000. His experience with this model and vintage has not been good and he stated that these Volvo's are not built like their predecessors. Transmissions rarely last past 150K and are very expensive to repair or replace. I have been very disappointed with the quality and reliability of of this car and in hindsight would have sold it a few years ago.
Get it checked out by mechanic that specializes in Volvo's and be prepared for more maintenance than expected.

[Zef]

Originally Posted by SteveWig

I would avoid this model - ask me how I know....
My wife's V70XC has just over 100K and the independent Volvo mechanic that we use is suggesting we sell it before it hits 125,000. His experience with this model and vintage has not been good and he stated that these Volvo's are not built like their predecessors. Transmissions rarely last past 150K and are very expensive to repair or replace. I have been very disappointed with the quality and reliability of of this car and in hindsight would have sold it a few years ago.
Get it checked out by mechanic that specializes in Volvo's and be prepared for more maintenance than expected.

+1...very nice but not reliable.

[Nine17]

+1. Viscous AWD system under-engineered. Failure can be very pricey.

[klaucke]

The car failed a compression test. Readings (in PSI) were: 130/10/150/150/10. I was hoping the misfire was electrical, luckily I did the test.

[Racerbvd]

Such a waste...