1998 Volvo S70 T5 SE review from North America

Nothing.

This car with relatively high miles (averaging about 25,300 KM or 15,800 miles per year for 7 years) came into the family recently, but it has been extremely well-maintained by two previous owners. Due diligence about problem areas and frequency of repair of this model, plus the pre-purchase mechanical and overall condition evaluations of this particular unit indicated this would likely be a very good bet for a second family car to be used primarily for combination freeway and city commuting. Since purchase, this excellent vehicle (still with the original windshield in beautiful shape) seems to be the perfect combination of safety, power, performance, reliability, quiet, and very sporty motoring pleasure, with the ability to be an extremely pleasant and comfortable long-distance leather-ensconced conveyance (one reasonably-long day trip to date). New Nokian all-seasons in combination with the Winter setting and traction control have already demonstrated supreme starting, stopping and handling capabilities on melting black ice and in about 6” of fresh snow (Winter is coming, after all). Fuel mileage is averaging 8.9 litres per 100KM, not bad for frequent all-out turbo passing and relatively high-speed cruising on the freeway (~120KPH) when dry and clear. I have owned a 1972 144S and a 1978 245S in past lives many years ago now, and they were safe, fun, inexpensive to maintain, and reliable. The Toyota vehicles I have owned (and still own) are excellent, too. One always takes a chance with used vehicles, but this lovely example of an S70 T5 SE with all the bells and whistles is proving to be a very good choice. The local Volvo dealership has serviced it since new, so the vehicle is familiar to the service folks. All in all, this will most likely be a keeper.