1998 Volvo S70 review from North America
"Regardless of the great handling and comfort, terrible engineering makes this my last Volvo ever"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Air conditioning constantly stops working. It is caused by electrical problems.
The transmission runs very rough.
On the panel, the engine light, ABS light, the light bulb out light and the service light are constantly illuminated.
The coverings on all 4 doors have bubbled up and separated from the doors.
The lock on rear door will not release remotely.
The trunk lock will not release remotely.
The leather on the drivers seat has deteriorated badly.
The cup holder was flimsy and broke off long ago.
The antenna won't retract.
General comments?
The car is nice looking and extremely comfortable. Seven years later the style is still very attractive.
The car drives beautifully and handles very well.
Volvo has suffered from terrible electrical problems for decades and it is inconceivable to me how the people who build these cars can't correct these same problems year after year. I bought this car to keep for at least 200,000 miles and at 73,000 miles, I am finally giving up. It isn't worth putting money into any more. Because the engine light is constantly illuminated, I'll never know if there is a critical engine problem. A friend with my same model and year had her engine actually blow up at 70,000 miles because the engine light was always on and she didn't know the plastic radiator had failed until it was too late. Should a near luxury car have a plastic radiator?
Recommended reviews
| This car is reliable, affordable, sporty and a great value |
|
| Great vehicle, but potentially costly |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 1998 |
| Year of manufacture | 1997 |
| First year of ownership | 1997 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 5 cylinder turbo Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 73000 miles |
| Previous car | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| Date of Entry | 4th September, 2005 |