1998 Volvo V70 GLS review from North America

Driver-side sun visor is broken and droops

Light is out on passenger side visor vanity mirror

Driver's power window control cluster is broken

Ashtray has fallen off and will not be put back

Sunroof has leaked, sunroof panel itself is rusting

Keyfob is cracking and falling to bits

Several dashboard lights are dead

Radio illumination is dead

Hazard light button is broken

Headlight wipers/washers have failed

Foglamp wiring (no fog lamps installed) has fallen out from under car and drags on ground unless tucked back up.

Previous owner had to replace entire AC system after evaporator (or whatever the heck is bolted to the inside of the firewall and requires the entire dashboard to be removed) had to be replaced. This job was done by goons and I think that's how much of the dashboard-based problems started.

To be fair, this car only cost $3000, and I got what I paid for. Most of the items broken or failing are what I would consider accessories and I'm not terribly worried about them except for the sun visor which falls into my line of sight. I will eventually get around to fixing most of the minor annoyances which should not cost too much (radio lighting, dashboard lighting, window switch cluster). However, I am annoyed that the sun visor costs about $200 and I can't seem to turn up any used ones as this seems to happen to fairly frequently.

Performance-wise, this car is peppy and fun to drive with the low-pressure 5-cyl turbo. It's rated at about 190 HP and that seems about right. It doesn't have the grunt that my previous (Volvo 960) car did, but it does well. It just doesn't feel as "heroic" and high-revving as the 2.9L I6 used to. To it's credit though, the 5-cyl does sing a rather interesting song when pressed hard. It's not the roar of a 4-cyl and not the subdued rumble of a 6-cyl; it's very much a "song" and rather unique. The handling is acceptable for a sporty wagon, the current tires (Bridgestone Potenza) are a bit worn and should be replaced but do well enough. Better tires would likely improve things from where they stand now. Braking is very strong and feels much better than my previous 960 (despite the addition of stainless-steel braided brake lines to the 960).

Going back to a front-driven car after six good years of RWD takes a little getting used to but it's kind of nice not having to worry about taking a corner too fast in wet conditions and having the rear end appear over your left shoulder.

Having come from a 92 960 to a 98 V70 I can say that there was some magic in the older Volvos. While the newer body structure is safer and this car has more airbags, the older body felt a little more rigid. The level of standard features was better (power passenger seat, etc.) and it just felt like a huskier beast. The body on the old 960 was in excellent shape where the v70 looks a bit shabbier--largely attributed to care and not running over stuff, but the old black bumpers seemed more practical then painted ones. Also, the cargo volume on the v70 is less than of the 960. Not by much and I can still fit a washer and dryer in the back of either; it's just more snug now.

Having purchased this car at a relative bargain, I don't feel bad about the level of quality (or lack thereof) of the accessories. However, if I had purchased this car new or for retail, I would be pretty upset.