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 61 through 70 of 111.00

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  Love it, with quips - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Caffery - September 2 - 1:13 am

  Purchased with 98k on it, now up to 187k, with about 30k just this past year. Like others, a Love/Hate relationship, but leaning more towards "love." General comfort is fantastic - supportive seats that you can sit in for hours, and the ride is smooth but never floaty. The engine is not a tire- shredder, but when you stomp on the pedal (esp. at low speeds), it can boogie, for sure. It always starts, and I average around 23 mpg, too. Interior ergonomics and control layout are also excellent, although some flimsiness (see below). AWD system is great - recently drove 5+ hours through a record-breaking blizzard and never lost an ounce of control. Lots of room for both people and cargo.

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  Just keeps going and going and going! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Conner - July 21 - 1:16 am

  This car is absolutely fabulous. 235K miles to date. The most comfortable seats ever made. Super-reliable. High- pressure turbo is fun as heck to drive. The AWD is excellent. Build quality is wonderful. I service the car every 5K and it takes care of me every day. Paint quality is still excellent after 11 years. Interior Materials also exceptional quality. The only issues with the 98s are ABS control modules tend to go out. Strut mounts can wear out causing a "clunk" sound. Replaced wheel bearings. The 3- CD head units dont last. Well worth it, though, factory sound is awesome.

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  Love it! - 1998 Volvo V70
  By charming - February 5 - 10:00 am

  I have always wanted one and finally I got one. I absolutely love it! There are a few things that I dont care for. The cup holders suck and the rattling I could do without. It also drives a little bumpy but other than that heaven. A buddy of mine even took it off roading out in the sticks and it did surprising fabulous.

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  Money Pit - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Chery Pie - January 2 - 3:13 pm

  I have had a V70 for about 5 years. It has been one thing or another. The last straw was the transmission that had to be replaced. I cant wait to unload it and get what...another damn Volvo? Think twice about a Volvo.

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  unreliable - 1998 Volvo V70
  By wolfpack770 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  My parents actually own this car. After owning 4 acuras, went to the volvo wagon because acura/honda didnt make a wagon. Big mistake -so many problems passin TN emissions (multiple times) mechanic said the best fix for this car was to find someone to drive it off a cliff. Car is in the shop about once every 1-2 months, this should not happen on a car that costs 33K new. We have even talked to Volvo rep for our area, they were unsympathetic. On the plus side, car is great on the highway and very safe, decent gas mileage, but on the whole we will never buy a volvo again.

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  Rocky Start, Pretty Good Finish - 1998 Volvo V70
  By JD Rockefeller - November 23 - 1:56 am

  I love wagons, especially small reliable ones. I bought this used @45K miles, and the dealer did all the maint, but after 50K, I paid and it was killing me (a thousand plus / year). I was mad and ready to sell when I finally found a good local guy. Its been great ever since. Much of what the dealer "recommended" was just a waste - In three years: a Battery Tires Rotors Pads; thats about it, everything still works. This car has no pep, its ugly, I rarely wash it and change the oil filter every 10K, but it is super reliable, the most comfortable, gets decent gas milage, and still feels rock solid after well into 200K miles. Now I might buy another, but a little sports cars calling too ..

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  Very Good Til the Expensive End - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Sandy - October 31 - 5:30 am

  My beloved 98 Volvo V70 XC AWD , purchased at 170K miles, made it to 230K without ever breaking down and stranding me. It always started. The ride? Silky smooth. Visibility? Great. Room? Plenty for passengers and 2 big dogs. Safety? Top rated. The heated seats? Ahh! The maintenance was average cost at Mavis, very expensive at the dealer, though. If you can put in your own light bulbs, youre fine. However, the fuel pump died and they want $1,900 to $1,300 to fix it. I now realize that this car, new or used, is better purchased by wealthier individuals. If I could buy new, I would certainly do so.

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  Overall happy - 1998 Volvo V70
  By les - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought with 55K miles. 2nd Volvo, replacing a 240 wagon. Much improved over 240, but like the 240, suffers from little things breaking.... rear windshield washer motor, electric driver door lock doesnt work from remote. Also, compared to 240 and all our other cars, its a very difficult car for a do it yourselfer to work on due to special tools that are required.

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  Practical good looks - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Michigan Fats - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I really like this car. It is solid and practical. Great cargo room, long and lower than SUVs. With my Thule roof rack I can carry kayaks, bicycles, or lumber on top without help getting it on the load bars. However, since 100K miles Im putting quite a bit of money into repairs. Maybe thats normal, but my wifes 1994 Accura Legend with 164K miles has needed fewer repairs (per her). Wonderful winter car too.

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  Great car if you have some mechanical aptitude - 1998 Volvo V70
  By johnhondrogen - September 16 - 8:55 pm

  I own 2 Volvo XCs. Both with 165,000 mi. Ive owned them for 6 years and I think they are one of the best cars Volvo built, aside from the 240 series. A lot of people dont like them because they are expensive to keep and I agree with this if you have someone else do the work. I do most of the work on my cars; Im not a mechanic but the internet can tell you how to do anything. Ill tackle anything as long as I have the time (even a head rebuild on one of them) If youre looking for a maintenance free car, this isnt it. If youre a shad tree mechanic this is a great car.