Comments: 1-15, 16-30
70K mile Service - 700 stinkin dollars!
Exhaust Gasket - 140 stinkin dollars!
Fuel Injector - 400 stinkin dollars!
Brakes (oh yes, PADS and ROTORS!!!) - 900 stinkin dollars!
AC Dye + Recharge (1st repair/looksee) - 225 stinkin dollars!
AC (Repair lines + More Dye + More Coolant!) - 600 stinkin dollars!
AC (Replace Evaporator!?$%#$#! + More Dye + More Coolant) - 1500 unbelievable stinkin dollars!!!
Wow!!! I wish I would have found this site 6 months ago!
I bought a 1998 S70 (Non-Turbo) Sedan in Jan 04 for $8900. The car had 70K miles. I figured, "it's a Volvo, it will live forever!" WRONG!!! I am $4000 into various repairs and the hits just keep on coming!
Now, I realize the 70k service is the fault of the stinkin guy that sold it to me (he lied and said all service had been done). However, the AC repairs are ridiculous!!! Also, why is it that every car today needs pads + rotors when doing the brakes? I read another post on this site that said the person is changing the pads every 5k miles, is that a smart thing to do to avoid the $900 every 40k miles?
Now, for anyone thinking about buying a 1998 S70, my opinion is you probably should not. If you do decide to still buy one, you can probably minimize your risk going into it by buying a certified pre-owned, but apparently it does not eliminate all risk.
I also think the car interior was not designed that well;
The leather is separating from the Driver's side door.
The cup holder is flimsy and now broken.
The heated seat buttons are very sensitive and placed in front of the change bin... they constantly turn on because I hit the buttons by accident causing hot butt in July (Since my AC is on the blink this really is uncomfortable!)
The Sound System stinks. The CD player died shortly after I bought the car...essentially, it will not let me insert a new CD. The AM reception on the radio is pretty poor (my Ford gets clear signal, but the Volvo treats me to static). The balance must be broken as sound often surges or cuts out on either side. The speakers are shot.
Lastly, the antenna mast needs to be replaced as it only goes up half way (even after WD-40ing the heck out of it!)
The funny thing is that it's a comfy car. After getting the service done and new tires the car rides very well. Acceleration is also pretty decent. I know some owners swear by their Volvo's, but mine is riddled with problems. I will NEVER buy a Volvo again. Man, I miss my BMW.
Thanks for the warning. I am on the fence about buying a friend's S70 Volvo. Thanks to you I will be very cautious. One bad review is enough for me.
WOW
I was just looking at a 1998 S70 with 116,000 miles and the want $7,600.00 for it. Thanks for the warning.. Will continue to look...
I was looking for facts to support the needs to change both break pads and rotor together, and not only the pads. By now, I have been to two different garages, one was a Volvo dealer, and the other a foreign car service center I have been several times. I guess that's no other option, but replaced all 4 pads+rotor, costing just less than $750.
BUT... here's it: I have a 98 S70 T5, it has 105K miles, no other major problems, and only the 2nd time I have to change these break pads. The performance is great - it's acceleration beats most cars on the road. GREAT stereo system, all still work fine, including the CD player and 6-disc changer. Mileage stays in the 21-23/gallon since day one. The interior does not look fancy, but you don't enough the look you don't have to buy the car. It drives well, and creates a comfortable feeling - driver and passengers alike. When I took it on long distance drives a couple of times, I mean 'bout 10/8 hour straight drive in a day, I feel absolute fine with my back, butt, and entirely! What other cars can make you feel like that?!
... well, the moral of my story, the previous writer unfortunately is having a bad experience - but that probably will be true of any brand of cars, some fluck in any manufacturing, or the previous owner just never took care of the car anyway.
I went to the volvo dealer where I bought my car when it was about 95K. The sale person, or "this" sale person anyway, absolutely believes that the car still has many years and miles life. In his own words, "you don't need a new car yet". He is also a volvo cars owner.
So, I too hope to have this car for many more years. It ain't cheap, but no others in the same price range (or little more) gets the power, comfort, feed back, and space it provides. I still love my S70 T5 '98, 105K later, & still going...
Last night I made a rather compulsive decision to buy a 1998 Volvo S70 T5 that I saw on ebay. I know nothing about this type of car. Had about 130,000 miles on it and gave $6,000 for it. I plan to give it to my in-laws as a gift. But from the comments here, I may have made a big mistake.
Steve.
You need a new mechanic. YOU paid 700 dollars for pads and rotors. You could do them yourself for less than 100 dollars in parts...sorry, but you are paying way to much for those repairs.
I also had the problem regarding the leather on the doors separating on my S70 but was informed that it was because that year they changed to a different type of glue. I believe after 98 they went back to the other type.
I laughed when I read your message because I am sitting here with 95K miles on mine and need brakes/rotors :-)
I know I complain about my maintenance, but I will say this. 4 years ago I was sitting at a stop light when a Honda Civic came through the intersection swerved over into my lane and hit my car on the drivers side at 50 miles an hour. My car was pushed into the next lane hitting the other car. They were going to cut me out with the car "Jaws of Life" because I was pinned into the car on both sides. After they moved the cars off of mine, the firemen were able to opene up my door and they took me out on a backboard. From the inside of the car, you couldn't tell there was an accident. The Honda and my Volvo were both totaled and the car next to me had 7K of damage. I was able to walk out of the hospital that day. Luckily, I have no problems resulting from the accident.
So, short of it is I sure was happy to have paid the maintenance that day. :-)
(quote) You need a new mechanic. YOU paid 700 dollars for pads and rotors. You could do them yourself for less than 100 dollars in parts...sorry, but you are paying way to much for those repairs. (quote)
I totally agree...
Sounds like a case of being lazy/inept, taking it up the behind whilst being jipped and then posting a bad review like it's a normality.
With a little know-how and some practicality, maintaining a car can be quite cheap.
Yes...there are ways and means.
Yes I to have been amazed by my two money pit 98 volvo S70's, one T5 one GLT. One of the biggest problems have been costly brake jobs. I have never seen brake parts for less than 100. dollars even from a close mechanic friend. I got less than 10,000 miles. from after market rotors once after they warped badly. I stuck to Volvo rotors after that. Both of my Volvo's have had numerous repeat problems with electrical, water valves on emission pumps (gotta replace whole pump) at 4 to 5 hundred dollars every 50 to 60 thousand miles. Replaced steering rack on GLT at 90,000 miles. 900. dollars. I will say they get very good gas mileage for the size of the car and the motors are well built. Good for a couple hundred thousand miles, but it will cost you to get there. I got really tired of one always being in the shop so I traded in the T5 for a Nissan Maxima (12,0000 trouble free miles on it) and I still own the GLT with 102,000 miles. on it. Its gotta make it one more year of college.
Guys, I have a S70 Base with manual tranny.
Car has 117 K miles on it and drives like brand new. Very tight body and motor.
Looks like most of you are being ripped off at the dealer.
I work 45 hours a week too at the office, but I know how to do basic things, like wires, brakes and tune ups if I have to, and I will not let someone charge me 500 for a brake job.
Just do some research and don't be afraid to turn a wrench, you are MEN aren't you?/?? What is this world coming to?
And no, I am not a farmer, I do have a Masters and I make a good living in NYC.
Also I had my share of fast cars, Lincolns and Benzes. And I am only 27.
Sometimes I choose to get dirty, and sometimes I will let someone do the work for me, BUT NEVER will I get ripped off at a shop by a guy who is trying to fee his kids on my account.
Care to comment?? Write to me Tbilisi79@yahoo.com
Dave
I purchased two Volvo's at the same time. One, the S80 (1999) T6 was purchased brand new and the S70,1998 had 16k on it. The S80 has been trouble free while the S70 has been... well not a lemon, but it is definitely in the citrus family. I have 130k on it the vehicle and have probably spent 8-10k in repairs post the extended warranty. I have had two major repairs on the moon roof, electical switches blow out on a regular basis, I have had several full brake jobs including the calipers once, around every 17k miles, replaced radio, had to fix the A/C, replace the door lock switches 3X, the power window switches. And have had to replace door panels where the pleather (plastic leather) separated and ballooned out. Admittedly, I had a lot of the work done on my extended warranty, but still it has been a very expensive car to own.If I did'nt have the warranty the car would have been sold at 60k miles. The good is that it's a fun car to drive... a lot of pep even in the base engine model, handles well and gets very good gas mileage (22-24mpg combined) on 87 Octane gasoline. I like the car, but have issues with the repairs. Currently I have to replace the brakes again and of course the rotors and I need stuts all around. The dealer wants $2400.00 for the Stuts and about a grand for the brakes. So, I'm thinking of saying good bye and getting an Audi.
If you are thinking of buying a S70 1998 vehicle I would recommend that you buy one from a dealer or a person who can supply a repair record for you to look at. If the car has had multiple owners take a pass. Good Luck.
I can't say enough praise about my 1998 S70 - it is fantastic! At 131,000 miles, it is only just run in and I know that I can trust it to drive anywhere. No problems what so ever and feels better than new. I have all the toys and all the toys work! Bargain cars for what they are and would highly recommend.
I have a 1998 s70. Love the style and ride. Like most others, the repair bills are frustrating. Just when I really get into loving it again, the Check engine light goes on and there goes another couple hundred. There must be dozens of reasons that kick that light on and I think I've experienced all of them. I often think of the absolutely trouble free Camry I owned prior to the S70. Oil change, brakes and tires only and drive the heck out of it!! I would own nothing but a Volvo if only the reliability were better. I need to look at the Honda, Toyota line-up for my next car.
Good luck with Audi. That German piece of... is even worse, believe me. Just had a 8,000€ worth of repairs on my Audi. One would think, that one bad experience is enough. No, I just had to go and get me another Audi.
I'm sorry you hate your S70. Believe it or not, it's still more reliable and longer lasting than the average car. Repair costs are high, but that can be said for any foreign luxury car. Volvo is actually the lowest in cost. The costs you mentioned are astronomically high though. If you went to the dealership, that was a huge mistake and explains the crazy figures.
Yep, another $600 for check engine light. Evaporation system leaks. Anyone know how many problem areas will activate that annoying light? CB.