Photographed along Massachusetts Route 3 in Plymouth, Massachusetts – August 2019
In-Motion Outtake: Volvo V70 and XC70 – Silver Swedish Steeds
– Posted on August 27, 2019
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Curbside Classics Archives
Photographed along Massachusetts Route 3 in Plymouth, Massachusetts – August 2019
Volvos of this era are getting really cheap in these parts. What things should potential buyers look out for?
For the P2/P3s: Avoid the 6 cylinders, they and the transmission the 6 cylinders were paired with are more problematic.The 5 cylinder turbo with the Aisin Warner box is what you want.
Timing belt change, first and foremost. Signs of overheating/headgasket issues. Look for oil leaks. Rear main seal will leak if the PCV system gets clogged. The clogged PCV system will also cause oil in the spark plug wells and/or pop the dipstick.
Around 150k, expect to change the ignition coil packs and plugs.
North of 150k, the suspension bushings in the front will wear and then clunk.
It is also not unusual to have to replace the right side drive axle because the carrier bearing will begin to fail and you’ll get a vibration that is really bad around 60mph. It is a quick and easy job to replace.
Overall, look for consistent, regular oil changes and the usual used car stuff.
Daniel Stern may berate me, but the taillight design on these strikes me as a convoluted mess.
My camera was too slow a few days ago to catch the Midwestern equivalent, a pair of nearly identical Ford Escapes, each painted a real color.
What’s to berate? Volvo’s taillamps of that era were perfectly functional, but kind of chopped-salad lookin’: busy, as though hastily thrown together rather than thoughtfully planned.
At least they all had proper turn signals, unlike many of Volvo’s present American-market offerings.
There are two identical silver Toyota Ravs 4 in my complex (both from out of state to boot) but every time I walk over to get a picture either one has gone or they’re both gone. Rarely are they actually parked together.
Sharp car spotters catch these happy coincidences. So many people wouldn’t even notice, or care.
When I was really young, I used to be so embarrassed when a near identical car passed whatever my dad was driving. Now it’s pretty cool.
Not just car spotters should notice this phenomenon. My high school driver’s ed teacher taught us to look out for the possibility of two identical cars near each other. “Oh, I’ll accelerate and change lanes as soon as that gray Pinto that’s next to me shows up in my rear view mirror. OK, there it is. “ CRASH!! “Oops, that was a different gray Pinto.” (Changed Volvo to Pinto to reflect the fact I took driver’s ed in 1972).
One of my best friends drives a C30. I love that car’s Dynaudio stereo, and being a T5, it’s fast. As such, every day after work on the drive home I play “the Volvo game” (spot at least 3). I almost always do, even if mostly the XC’s. Yes, I’m weird like that.
Nicely spotted. There are so many volvos in New England. They’re well made and durable. My 01 Volvo V70 has 308,000 miles still on original auto trans and motor.
I like to think that even non-car people notice these things. Almost every car I’ve driven is old (or unpopular) enough to be an uncommon sight on the road and it’s always a delight to approach an identical model (yes, I sometimes go out of my way to cruise alongside them too) and I imagine the people in other cars may remark to themselves or a passenger “Hey – they have the same cars!” I don’t know why I get suck a kick out of this phenomenon.
Nice. I am in Wyoming. I almost never see a Volvo wagon or any Volvo – well maybe once a year here.
No Volvo car dealer anywhere in Wyoming so I don’t expect to see many. They’re a cool idea and look great but they might as well be Peugeots, Alfas or from Mars for me.
I’d like to have a gutsier Volvo 940 or 960 wagons though. They are so purposeful looking; just wish they had a Ford V-8 in front when I test drove a couple at the Volvo dealer in Fort Collins several decades ago. A bit too wimpy for the mountain west – I thought back then. Still do.
Should have driven the T6. That would certainly change your definition of “wimpy”
The 5 cylinder Turbos are way gutsier than a 940 or 960. These cars are almost 4500 pounds and will MOVE!
My 2007 2.5T is way quicker than my 2002 325 wagon was.
The interior is chintzier, though. The BMW looked great at 17 years old. The interior of my V70 has had some plastic bits fall off. I blame Ford ownership, since my 1995 850 Turbowagon was solid!
I drive a 98 V70 and I love it the only thing I wish mine was a t5 instead of a glt but I’m happy with it anyway
I love em ❤️ this is my third Volvo