1998 Volvo S70 review from North America

When I first purchased the car, it needed a few things.

Timing belt and serpentine belt were done for around $300.

Right tie rod end around $100.

Strut barring needed replacing, that ran about $400.

Temp. gage and housing also went, $250.

Then add that to a new battery, two front tires and spark plugs.

The key also got stuck in the ignition, something that my Volvo mechanic told me was very common in these cars, that was fixed for around $50.

Other than those repairs, the car has been great. Until a few days ago. The tensioner barring snapped, which in turn messed up my timing belt and caused my valves to become stuck open and my pistons to crack.

The car handles great and drives very smooth. It's got decent power, not enough to race around, but enough to get the car moving.

The seats are very comfortable and made it very easy to do several twelve hour drives from NJ to South Carolina.

I really had planned on keeping this car until it fell apart, which it did. Just under a year into driving it, my entire engine is shot. I know several people who swear by Volvo, and know of cars that are still being driven every day with 275,000 miles on them.

When the car worked, it was the best car I have ever owned, I really did love this car, but now facing a $3,000 repair bill is making me sell this.