Overview & Reviews
Volvo's 850 wagon gets a new name, new nose, body-color trim, stronger side-impact protection, more powerful turbo engines, redesigned interior and revised suspension. All-wheel-drive versions arrive to battle luxury SUVs.
- Front and side airbags. Excellent side-impact protection. Superb seats. Solid construction. More cargo volume than many sport-utilities. Available all-wheel drive.
- Oddly placed controls. No all-speed traction control system available.
User Reviews:
Showing 41 through 50 of 111.00-
Ditto - 1998 Volvo V70
By gerry100 - September 11 - 10:00 amWeve had almost all of the problems described in the above posts, plus the one year only emissions airpump, warped rear rotors and tire consumption. Its very disappointing in a $36K car. We actually want to love this car because when everything is working its a wonderful, safe comfortable car. If Volvo had actually stepped up and taken responsibility for their design and quality mistakes instead of trying to gouge us customers from the 90s boom they may have developed some loyalty. As it is, theyve created a growing demand for Subarus.
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Fun when it lasted - 1998 Volvo V70
By volvoding - May 6 - 10:00 amGreat car to start with but growing list of repairs is a dissapointment. Our first and maybe last volvo. Replaced turbo seals, front and rear rotars, brake pads every 10k, tires at 30k CV joint (not sold as an individual unit, thus costing $1,000) and the most amazing thing, put the same sized new tires but different manufacturer that created instant wear on the transmission almost resulting in a $3000 repair job. Watch out for AWD and turbos. Honestly this sounds like a design flaw that volvo places on the consumer and tire companies.
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Dont buy used - 1998 Volvo V70
By $$$outthewindow - March 25 - 10:00 amThis car has been great up untill the 70K mile mark. Now its falling apart. Ive spent $3,200. in the first half of this year. on repairs & maintenance. Check Eng. Light is a constent. problem. I have never heard of putting a new gas tank & gasket in a car before, but the service dept. said this was the reason for the check Eng. Light. Just $ 1,400. and I was on my way. They could give me no good reason why it needed to be fixed. The C.E.L. came back on 4 weeks down trhe road. This time hoses.
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Love the XC so far - 1998 Volvo V70
By pete_427 - February 15 - 10:00 amWe bought a used XC a year ago and so far, despite a couple nagging bulb- related problems, we really like the car. The ride and comfort are excellent, it has plenty of power, it looks fantastic, and its great in foul weather. The "check engine" light just came on and we are scheduled to have it looked into. I hope were not about to enter "check engine light" hell (as described by other reviewers). Overall a really nice car, but Ill agree not what Id have expected for $40k when new (in terms of attention to build-quality details).
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Fun Safety Box - 1998 Volvo V70
By mtnbiker - January 3 - 2:00 amI recently added a new ECU unit to the car with a sportier exhaust system from IPD so now the car flies for a Volvo. Instead of the stock 190 hp, Im running with around 230. The car hasnt been the most reliable with the little things such as bulbs, and squeeks here and there, but the overall quality is fabulous. Just find a good mechanic that you trust and keep the car serviced and it will run well in all conditions. The all-wheel drive system is very good in the snow, especially when starting in 2nd gear (winter mode). The only AWD system that I feel is better is from Audi.
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Nickle and dime, dollar and credit card - 1998 Volvo V70
By stickboy - December 6 - 10:00 amI bought this car in 02 as an off lease certified pre owned. So far in the year in a half that we have owned (regular maintenance performed)it, we have had the turn signals fail (hazard button module replaced), thermostat failure(replaced part and radiator flushed and filled), power window module in the driver side door failure ($125 to replace the entire module), dripping oil periodically from the turbo area (dealer says they cant do anything about it-weep hole for the unit?), motor failure for the climate control system($300 repair and no hvac usage until its fixed.), hard starting (leaking fuel injector $142ea. and must replace all 5 says the dealer).
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Volvo XC mets expectations - 1998 Volvo V70
By Al97 - October 15 - 2:00 amWe have owned this car for a year and half. It is a competent car. The extended Volvo warrenty seems useless though as nothing seems to be covered under it when you really get into it. There have been seveal small electrical problems that seem surprising and unecessary like the emergency flasher reley failing (not covered and $75 ) replacement. The cabin lights only work sparadically when you opent he door. Our 10 year old Mercedes wagon has had far fewer problems, and has been all over the world with us. Our 1986 240 wagon was more reliable than the XC but neither ever stranded us by the roadside.
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Oh my god repairs. No love after 120k. - 1998 Volvo V70
By dennisonn - October 1 - 8:30 amFirst of all, I love this car, and the Volvo brand. This wagon is excellent, and the engine is to die for! Seriously, just stomp on the gas, that makes a believer out of anyone who laughs at the wagon =). That is if your car is working. When my family purchased this car at 80k, no problems at all! Now at 180k Heres an abbreviated list of repairs I have done/paid for in the past 2 years alone. One faulty computer. Three faulty O2 sensors. Two distributor caps (its fun when the cars stalls while its raining) Front& Rear Axel, Brake pads, and rotors. Sunroof. Timing belt, radiator, heater core. AC system, various electrical issues, Now a new turbo? No thanks. Massive oil leak. ugh.
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costs on replacement - 1998 Volvo V70
By Guiness - September 26 - 10:00 amIve own my wagon for 6yrs now,min repairs other than standard parts like timing belts, tires. One area that I ran into now at 201,000 miles is the rear struts. On my car the cost to replace them is $550.00 per side..( will not replace) so Ill live with the bumps or pot holes, but its really not bad. I am known to keep my cars until the engine goes, most of my other volvos have gone 370,000 miles, so still have 3-4yrs left on this one. One key factor on volvos, they never need a tune-up. same plugs etc and the car is 13 years old. So if your thinking of this year 1998, go for it...I also own a 1989 saab and that has 250,000 and it looks/drives as good as the day it came off the line.
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Nice Car - 1998 Volvo V70
By Ryan - August 28 - 7:23 pmThis was my first car, and I still own and like it a lot. So far, the only repair I had done was the front left brake caliper. A seal went bad allowing water to get to the inside causing rust so it didnt release all the way when I let off the brake. Labor is whats most expensive. You can find cheaper refurbished parts from Volvo, which is what I did. Its a heavier car, so it goes through tires faster than others. Fuel economy is okay, it seems to do better with premium. The body and appearance is fantastic. It still looks new 11 years later. Id like to get larger factory Volvo wheels, as the 15" wheels it came with look oddly small compared to the larger body.
