Faults:

At the most recent inter-galactic service.

The passenger side front CV joint needed replacing.

The shocks were shot and cost a small fortune to replace.

Front discs needed replacing.

The above having been said, at 161,000 miles, I would expect some major bits to need replacing on any car.

General Comments:

Without a doubt, this is the most comfortable car I've ever sat in, let alone owned and I have a damaged pelvis, so I know what I'm talking about.

Quick...I think so, many a boy racer has been blown off the lights in this two tonne Tessy!

Hills, fully loaded, what are they?

Handling...For a big heavy car, it handles like a teen aged Japanese Gymnast and goes round corners like it's on rails.

Carrying capacity: One six man frame tent with all the camping gear, cloths and equipment needed for a fortnight's holiday, plus wife, two kids and two dogs.

We needed the roof rack, oh, and the bike rack too.

Music: Albert hall. Fantastic.

Towing: If towing a stranded recovery vehicle, which was carrying another car at the time, up hill, in the snow, counts as good, then I guess it tows well.

Parking: very easy as visibility is excellent. The only problem is that the car is very long and so finding an air field big enough can present a problem.

Economy: stay off the right boot and it's not three bad. 20ish around town and thirty something on a cruise. Give it a large dose of right foot though and you'll see kuwait dry up real quick!

Faults:

Right front wheel bearing at 200,000km

Left front wheel bearing at 220,000km

Power Steering pump and rack as 240,000km

Breaks at 150,000km and again at 250,000km.

General Comments:

This car is as good as the 1990 240 I purchased new and drove for 402,000km.

Very reliable, comfortable and a pleasure to drive, but needs snow tires to perform excellent in winter.

The sound system is Alpine and with the 8 speakers is aw-some.

I purchased this car used 3 years ago and currently I have 282,000km and expect to see the 400,000km before I replace it. At 50,000 a year this should not take too long.

Faults:

Rear viscous coupling.

Front CV joint (twice within a few 1,000 miles).

Rear Brakes (twice - second time after 5600 miles).

ABS module.

Transmission replaced at 109,000 miles.

Driver's door hinge welded.

Front wheel bearings.

Service light in on again.

Solenoid.

New tires (all 4 since it's AWD).

Gas gauge got stuck in 103 degree heat (took $200, a tow, and a night in a hotel to find that out).

General Comments:

I am living with a diva. This car is sucking my pocket books dry. I have had it for only 17,000 miles (for about 2 years this April) and I've put an additional $5000 into it. It's all the stuff connected with the AWD. I owned a '77 245DL and '93 240. This V70 series just seems overall to suck. I have never had so many problems with a Volvo. I've only owned Volvo wagons since 1992, but this has been the "wonder car". Like I wonder what will light up on my dash next?! And that's about every 2,000 miles.

If you want a Volvo, don't buy a V70 (from the other reviews I've read I'm not the only one struggling with their V70 model). You'll put in a lot more to keep it running than their worth. I'd love to have my 240 with over 200,000 miles (when I sold it), back. It even had the name Babahloo.

Something went wrong in 1998 when Volvo changed their line. I'm grateful to have a very kind and fair Volvo mechanic, so I don't have to go to the dealer.

However, here are the perks. It's a great ride, zooms to action when you need to, like when you merge at 75 mph. from the on ramp. The V70R is a low rider, but you sit up high in the car. There's a built in child's seat, netting, easy drop down seats. We love it for our camping trips. Winter mode is great for our snowy days (in Colorado). But I would not recommend this for anything, but a "town car". The blizzard reeked havoc on my bearings. The suede/leather seats clean up easily, and the third row seats are great for extra kids.

Take your chances. I'm in it for the long haul with all the work I've put into it. I'll give it to my son (who's 6) when he turns 16; by then it may be a whole new car with all my repairs.