Faults:

Just basic wear and tear items such as tires and brakes etc.

The car performs flawlessly and pulls hard at 200kms hour.

People out their need to find some real auto mechanics that actually care about what they do.

Here is some advice from a Volvo mechanic of 30 years; check for poor ground connections, and corrosion in connectors at any of the electronic modules. When computers do not get enough power, they will turn on check engine lights etc. If your mechanics are not doing these checks first before they replace parts, GET A NEW MECHANIC!

XC90 owners 2005 and up beware, check the connectors to the CEM under the drivers wiper cover for corrosion. This could be a potential 10000 dollar repair!

General Comments:

The Volvo 1998 model years and back are the best built and most reliable cars on the road.

Faults:

The lights keep blowing. We've had to replace both brake lights twice and the driver head light once. Also the back passenger turn light.

Recently it has started stalling. Leaving us on the side of the road several times, hours from home. Let it sit for a while and it will start again and get you down the road. This is the biggest problem we have had with it. It's also very expensive to fix and/or get fixed.

General Comments:

I love this car. I know it has its issues, but other than that it rides extremely smooth. It's solid and feels very safe. If we can get this stalling problem fixed it would be perfect.

It's impressive that even at almost 200,000 miles it rides this well.

The handling is very good. We live on a mountain, and during the winter have to drive over it to get to work, and there is sometimes snow and ice, and it has done excellent with these conditions.

If it weren't for this one problem, I'd recommend it.

Faults:

Drivers seat leather cracking badly.

Trunk locking unit replaced - $500.

Cracked ventilation hose (at 207k) - $250.

Replaced turbo "O" rings - $200.

General Comments:

Overall the most exceptional vehicle ever. My parents have Lexus and Toyotas that haven't even made it half as far, or are running half as well as my S70 does.

This car gets driven tons of miles, and has been incredibly reliable. In all of my 237K miles, I have never spent any of that on the side of the road. I have never gone to start that car, when it didn't greet meet me with its beautiful coarse 5cyl engine purr. That's not something many can say about their cars.

I've had the best of luck, and since this Volvo I have purchased two others. I just keep on the oil, and the maintenance of components that my dealer recommends, and that's all it takes.

I haven't had a payment on this car since 2000, so I've had a problem free car free of cost for almost 10 years now. That's awesome.

The 2.4T engine is a perfect blend. It's got significantly more power and spunk than the standard 2.4. It's also surprisingly fuel efficient. In the city I'm getting about 20 MPG, and on the highway a nice 25-26. Not bad at all, age considered.

The leather seats are the most comfortable I have ever encountered, and I have encountered many a plush leather driver seat. It's supportive, but no so cushy that you feel you're sinking like the Titanic.

In addition, the exterior quality is second to none. I have the beautiful and rare dark blue metallic. It is a very striking color. It has been outdoor parked in the same location on the driveway for all of its 12.5 years of life and it isn't fading or corroding, and the windows aren't bubbling or anything like that.

Overall this car is just perfect. I had a friend who bought a "reliable" Toyota within weeks of my buying this car. He always told me that my Volvo wouldn't last and that I should go Japanese. I'm proud to report that he got rid of that Camry two years ago after it required a new engine, tranny rebuild, plus electrical problems and he only put on a measly 130K miles. My trusty S70 is still around, and hopefully will be for much longer, because I doubt I will ever again find anything quite like it. This is something that Sweden should truly be proud of.