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 21 through 30 of 111.00

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  I love driving my wagon - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Pastsportscardriver - September 25 - 10:00 am

  I usually buy new car every 4-5 years, but I cant this time. I love my Volvo, and it is a wagon! The seats are comfortable to sit in (mine are leather, the car responds to my every command. All the controls are in the right place. The seat belt adjusts to fit my female 54" body (most dont). The cargo space is unbelievable large. I bought a new 35" TV, TV stand and VCR and all fit comfortably, still in their boxes in the cargo area without removing my child seat. The back seat folds down to offer even more room. This car is a keeper.

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  Be careful where and how you get repairs done - 1998 Volvo V70
  By coldjensens - July 15 - 7:15 pm

  We just bought a 1998 V70 XC awd with 238,000 miles on it. WE quickly learned something it may be helpful to pass on. Volvo delaership work and Volvo parts will break you. Example: Heater core replacmeent - from Volvo $800. It is a two hour job and you cna do it for less than $200. Or you cna find a good independant mechanic who does not blindly charge book rates and get it done for $400. Front Struts - this needs to be done by a professional unless you have special tools or knowledge, but you cna pay over $1000 at Volvo or about $600 at a decent indy shop. There are quite a few other items that are relatively easy to do yourself and if you find after market parts -

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  This Volvo is excellent - 1998 Volvo V70
  By nernin - April 16 - 10:00 am

  This V70GLT is the first sold in US, March 97. I have had one problem with this car. The dealerships have seen this car only once for an ABS sensor.

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  A Nice Used Wagon, Shop Carefully. - 1998 Volvo V70
  By JawzX - February 13 - 6:36 am

  I bought this car from a private seller who had all service records since new, so I knew what I was getting into, which was a very well maintained, if high-miles car. It had a large amount of work done to it prior to my purchase, including the Infamous prop-shaft replacement (still needs a torque-tube bushing and rear shocks), so I knew I wouldnt have to worry about that for another 150K miles... The car is very comfortable, performs reasonably, handles well, holds a huge amount of stuff, is great in the snow, parts prices for repair are high. I have no bad things to say about the interior materials or fit of the car, but mine was assembled in Belgium, maybe that makes a difference?

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  1998 Volvo V70XC - 1998 Volvo V70
  By petee - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Good vehicle all around. Braking system poor design. Rear wear out at 17000mi, fronts last forever.

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  I love my Volvo, but... - 1998 Volvo V70
  By badkitty_abc - January 12 - 10:00 am

  It requires a bit too much maintenance and the O-2 sensor problem is a bit annoying. Overall, I would get another in a heartbeat.

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  Lots of Troubles - 1998 Volvo V70
  By drc - January 6 - 10:00 am

  In the first 30 months we owned this car it was in the shop 26 times. Nothing major (except a fuel leak)but lots of minors issues like burned out headlights, rear window that wont roll up and lots of times the "check engine" light came on. Now the leather is separating from the door panel on the drivers door. The troubles just will not stop with this car.

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  Seven Years Now - 1998 Volvo V70
  By Ed - December 15 - 2:16 am

  I have had this car since new. There were two initial issues. Both were addressed. The car has had some performance modifications by IPD so it is faster than the average V70R. Other than above I have not had any major issues with the car. It has been a pain to pass DEQ not because it has high emmissions but because the computer has a long drive time to re-register data after a battery change. For me it was nice to carry items but think you are in a pretty fast sedan otherwise. Gas mileage is not great. I should also mention that I was T boned once by a car doing and estimated 40 MPH and drove it home. Granted the steering was way out of true. After 7 years I am tired on it though.

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  Trouble Trouble Trouble - 1998 Volvo V70
  By PCHB - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Other reviewers have either loved this car or hated it. I fall in the hated it category due to very poor reliability, the list is endless. Lost all tires in the first 3 months (bad batch of Continental), visited the shop 8 times due to Check engine light solved finally by a complete fuel system replacement, then wiper motor went, then headlight system, then airconditioning, then at 53,000 dirve shaft, AWD system and clutch! Need I say more! I did force Volvo into a full-blue bokk +$5000 buy-back on a 2002 AWD (with extended warranty) - it has been perfect.

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  A Well Maintained Vehicle - 1998 Volvo V70
  By longislanddriver - October 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Volvo. My experience is that the V70 is more reliable that my 1989 245. I always buy a base model for price and more importantly to eliminate problems. The AC compressor and condensor was replaced the first week. I guessed Volvo probably put the wrong refrigerant in it. I used to replace the headlight bulbs but after recall never replace a build yet. Replaced air pump and recently blower fan. A good dealer is the key. I had serveral brake and noise problems but convinced dealer to kept car for a week. They replace rotors, oil pump and pan.