1998 Volvo V70 T5 CD review from UK and Ireland

Only routine brakes & discs at 122,000.

Routine front suspension mounts at 140,000.

Headlight switch at 155,000.

Throttle cable at 160000.

Occasionally bulbs, but that happens with every car!

The best car I have ever had in 30 years.

It was in better condition when I first bought it at 120,000m than any brand new Rover 800 that I had had previously over the years of company cars.

No squeaks rattles or leaks at 160,000m.

Everything works like new, quite astonishing really.

Original exhaust still at 160,000m.

Warp drive performance if you need it, almost as quick as my old 220bhp Toyota MR2 Turbo though I do not often drive fast or spiritedly. Overtaking is like being on a motorbike, if you have it 'on boost'. Nothing can keep up with it. Have embarrassed many a hot hatch/BMW/Audi TT. You can very easily lose traction stepping off from a standing start though, and the TRACS system does nothing to help keep traction.

Handling and roundabouts are not its forte, but you do not think you are driving a huge car, just a large saloon. Much better handling than my previous car a Vauxhall Senator 3.0.

Huge load capacity & flexibility for luggage. Gets diving gear, sailing gear, IKEA boxes, you name it, in with no fuss and a low sill height.

The best sound system I have out of 20 or so cars that I have had.

Excellent seats though the drivers seat is now a bit saggy. Comfortable and quiet for the many long motorway journeys I make. Distance is no longer an issue.

Other trim and the leather is almost as new though on the front doors there is delamination of the material around the handles, due to leaving the windows down in the rain!

There are lots of 'clever touches' such as a clip for your parking permits in the side of the windscreen rather than having to stick them in and then scrape them off! Bits of rubber in trays to stop things rattling, etc. The designers actually thought about living with the car.

You feel very safe in it, and the reputation counts for a lot here. I am confident driving my children around in it. Probably safer than an SUV as it has less chance of rolling.

I actually prefer the styling of the V70 Classic, it is pure form and function, purposive and not too aggressive. I prefer it to the new rounded V70s.