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Volvo C70 - Should I Buy One?

21 messages,  Last post on Apr 06, 2010 at 4:09 PM

You are in the Volvo C70 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volvo C70, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 1 of 2

#2 of 21 99 C70 HTP by hanlonrn

Sep 05, 2006 (2:15 pm)

I am preparing to dump my Jeep as I don't really need anymore for its previous intended purposes. Just looking for a fun, reliable car for jets out of town on the weekends. I have only driven about 1000 miles in the past year.
 
There is a C70 for sale in my area. Seller was relocated for work and is liquidating everything. He has a 99 C70 with 133k that was used as a commuter. He is only asking $3200. I am getting the vin for a carfax. He is providing maintenance records. Anything to look out for?

#3 of 21 Re: 99 C70 HTP [hanlonrn] by qbrozen

Sep 05, 2006 (5:56 pm)

Replying to: hanlonrn (Sep 05, 2006 2:15 pm)
That's scary cheap. Even with all those miles, he could sell it to a dealer for more than that, I'm pretty sure. Even if carfax is clean, I'd have a pro look it over.
 
And make sure all the maintenance is done.

#4 of 21 Tips from 2004 C70 owner by luvhandle

Sep 09, 2008 (7:53 am)

Notes: the ride is terrible on city streets - all bumps make the car shudder - if the car has independent suspension it is a dismal failure. It may be the tires but I can't afford to replace them at this time. Buy an extended warranty. Only the dealer can service the transmission and this costs between $200-$300 or more if I remember correctly. Soon only dealers will be allowed to inspect the car - scared to think how much that will cost. If the gas cap is not totally closed the check engine' light will come on and you'll have no idea what the problem is. The headlights repeatedly went out in the first 2 months I owned the car - 3 times. The headlight wiper jammed and had to be replaced which took 2 visits to the dealer. The cup holder is awkward and made out of cheap plastic. The fronts seats don't fold all the way down and are a major pain to move so people can get in the back seat. The front driver seat will not move all the way up to the steering wheel so large people have a very difficult time getting in the back seat which is only large enough for children and large dogs. The trunk is too small for anything but medium-small suitcases. It's shallow but relatively deep. At 56K miles (just as the warranty has expired) the car has begun to rattle in the doors on the right side while driving on medium-to-rough city roads. I have a bad feeling that the extremely tight suspension is having a bad effect on the body integrity.
 
The car is very safe and handles well. I was run off the road at a very high speed. The back pillars came up (the dealer had to lower them) and the steering and brakes saved me from a very bad accident. Thankfully the airbags didn't activate. The car is fun to drive on the highway - rides smoothly, passes other cars very quickly, however when the car is accelerated quickly it veers to the right - doesn't steer straight ahead.
 
All of that said, thankfully the engine, transmission, exhaust and major mechanical parts have presented no problems. The top leaks slightly in a car wash but that doesn't surprise me. I'm not mechanically inclined so I dread having to pay for any repairs at this point as the dealership and other shops charge extremely high rates. A mere tune-up is almost $300. The turning radius is very bad. There are huge blind-spots when the top is up; you have to be extra, extra careful when changing lanes as well as backing out of parking spaces.
 
The car is very attractive and the front seats are very comfortable though the leather is beginning to crack on the drivers seat (I'll have to buy some type of cover for it). I had lower back surgery earlier in the year and the drivers seat doesn't have enough lower back support but for a healthy person it is extremely comfortable and the heating is a great feature and comes on automatically in cold weather.
 
The CD player is a pain to use - only holds 3 CD. One of the CD settings has developed a high pitched hum and at high volume the speakers rattle. The CD player goes out temporarily when a hard bump is hit but has managed to return each time. However the sound system is great once you find settings you can live with. There is not an input for an ipod or other external devices.
 
All in all, this is a great car if you can afford the upkeep. I intend to trade it in at 75K miles because I anticipate much higher-than-average maintenance costs. If you can find one (and they are extremely hard to find, at least in Texas) with low mileage I'd definitely consider purchasing one but as I said earlier, get an extended warranty because repairs and maintenance are VERY expensive.

#6 of 21 Re: Tips from 2004 C70 owner [luvhandle] by bmyers1

Apr 29, 2009 (8:58 am)

Replying to: luvhandle (Sep 09, 2008 7:53 am)
I recently bought a 2000 C70 and everything luvhandle said is right on the money:) I've been driving it for a month and I love it

#7 of 21 wifes 2009 c70 by cu503

Sep 02, 2009 (5:50 pm)

She loves it! So if this answers your question, go but one! She always wanted one and the hard top is great!

#8 of 21 NewVolvoOwner by newvolvoowner

Sep 15, 2009 (9:17 pm)

If you think the C70 at the Frankfurt Auto Show is the 2010 model think again. Volvo bated everyone with pictures of a new design for 2010 however, when released at the auto show Volvo has designated the C70 on display as the 2011 model to be released next year. Bate and switch!

#9 of 21 Re: NewVolvoOwner [newvolvoowner] by qbrozen

Sep 16, 2009 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: newvolvoowner (Sep 15, 2009 9:17 pm)
Ok, first off, its bait, not bate.
Second, it has no relation to bait & switch unless you placed an order and/or plunked money down for one.
And, lastly, the media reported it as an '11 model, so not sure why you thought it was for '10. Not to mention car makers do not reveal a new model one month before it is due in showrooms (as the '10 cars are, at this point).

#10 of 21 Re: NewVolvoOwner [qbrozen] by newvolvoowner

Sep 19, 2009 (4:21 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (Sep 16, 2009 1:30 pm)
Thank you so much for the spelling correction. I am an uneducated, high school drop out so any help I can obtain from those more fortunate I do appreciate. If you check URL, https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/enhanced/en-gb/Models/2010/C70/Model/Rele- ases.aspx , which is a press release on September 1, 2009 about the 2010 Volvo C70 (note bottom of article C70, Model Year 2010). The information about this model being the 2011 was released just before the Frankfurt Auto show. August 31, I purchased a 2010 C70, pick up in Gothenburg on Nov 5. No problem, just believed from all of the hype the model shown on the Volvo news site was the 2010.

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