Faults:

Steering pump died.

Vacuum pump noisy.

Rattles all around.

General Comments:

Do you want a solid and reliable car that can make you smile every time you drive it? Buy a Volvo S70.

The TDI is very reliable and has lots of torque on a short gearbox.

Sure it has its traditional Volvo faults such as buttons not working, and rattles and squeaks all around, but it's classy and a driver's car.

Too bad it isn't RWD.

Faults:

No major problems, just small faults that occur at this age. These faults can be sorted quite easily. Mainly aesthetics.

Exhaust mounting snapped, can be welded back on.

General Comments:

This car was bought as one of my previous cars was a Volvo, I thought I would get back in to the brand.

I've owned the car just over a year now and there have been no breakdowns or faults that have occurred during my ownership. This was one of the main reasons I went back to Volvo.

The engine is a reliable unit, but isn't mind bogglingly fast, although this isn't what the engine was designed for. I have to say though I do like the noise it makes.

Being the auto, it's very smooth to drive and is very relaxing on the motorway, especially due to the lovely leather seats. The ride is firm though around town, one of my main gripes I have with the car, if it wasn't for the fantastic seats, then this can get annoying very quickly.

Interior wise, it's built very well. The dash is very well thought out with everything falling to hand easily. It's the detail that sets it out, the buttons being large enough to operate whilst wearing gloves. There are a few squeaks and rattles, but that's more down to the age again. Plenty of space in the cabin and boot so no problems there.

The only components I've had to change on the car are regular service items and consumables. It isn't the cheapest car to own, owing mainly due to it's weight and engine size averaging around 29 MPG. But I didn't buy the car to run on a shoestring, as I wanted something safe and reliable.

Overall the car is very well built and comfortable, and if you don't need the estate and the price premium that commands, the S70 is a decent car to own.

Faults:

3 months ago the transmission broke against a tuned Honda Civic VTI.

This car IS reliable.

General Comments:

This car has punch.

I've previously owned a 95 Civic 1.5 90hp, and when I drove the S70 it was shocking.

The 240hp 2.3 Turbo engine is a charm.

Until you get it to more or less 3500rpm nothing happens, but pass that and the car just explodes in a blistering acceleration, crushing you against the seats, and by the time you notice it is already at the 6500rpm limiter, begging you to change gear!!

1st it gets you to almost 70km/h, then shift to 2nd and it gets you to more or less 110km/h. When you shift to 3rd the car takes you in an instant to almost 180km/h, 4th passes 230km/h, and 5th can take you up to 260km/h.

It is quite, quite fast.

The comfort is very good. The previous owner had installed everything. Leather seats, electric windows, electric seats, A/C, cruise control, etc, etc. Long distant trips are made without problems.

The economy on other hand is bad. With the petrol prices rising almost every day, it is hard to maintain this car, even if you drive it at low speeds. Here in Portugal we pay a LOT for petrol... We pay 2,3412 dollars (1,5€) per liter..

I had installed Koni Sport Suspension on this, because the original Suspension was too soft. You could feel the car wandering a bit in a fast turn. Still, with the Koni it is comfortable.