V70 1st & second gen: discuss

Mudhook · Jun 26th, 2013, 23:23

Chaps

What I have acquired (2000 2.5 V70 Classic) is one of the last of the original V70s, as far as I can see. I think the second-generation V70 (2000 - 2007-ish) ones were also pre-Ford-platform cars.

What is the word amongst the knowledgeable as to the relative merits of the two cars? Big differences? Strong feelings. Later is just better?

Tx for any words of wisdom. Again I have searched for threads on this but haven't yet turned up a clear view.

Regards, Mudhook.

green van man · Jun 27th, 2013, 00:00

You will have as many opinions as there are members so here's mine.
Have phase 1 V70 bought to replace a 460 that got written off for me. Like the car a lot to the extent that despite looking at other and newer models it still sits on my drive after 10 years of ownership.
When the phase 2 was a new model I looked at it in local dealers and my immediate impression upon sitting in it was why have they made a class car into a boy racer wannabe, the cabin just seemed cheap in comparison to its predecessor.
For me the real turn off was the handbrake position, have arthritis in shoulder and could not comfortably use it, which is not really a fault with the car just a reason for me not likening it.
Engine wise the later cars are more powerful but I find the 140 horses of mine more than adequate for my needs and fuel consumption is great for the size of car it is being an oil burner. There is minimal electronics to the older cars which makes them easier and cheaper to maintain.
It would cost £30,000 to update to a car the same age as the one I have was when I bought it and I really see no pressing need to do so.
Regards Paul.

capt jack · Jun 27th, 2013, 09:39

On the one hand, you'd think that the newer the car the better in terms of technology, design improvements etc.

Personally I prefer the look of the 'Classic' V70, and I would agree that the materials used, especially in the cabin, feel of a higher quality in the Classic.

The early 'new' 70s were not without their problems - the driver display module for example. Having said that, the Classic could boast the odd foible too - the ABS module and the ETM for example.

Perhaps it's not really fair to compare a 97 Classic with an 02 pre-Ford Volvo - each have their strengths and weaknesses. If your budget is say up to £3000 and you're looking for a well-built practical and versatile car that is well-built and promises good service then it's probably best to keep your mind a bit open, and choose the individual car from the available stock based on condition and history. They are after all, Volvos.

Cheers

Jack

christheancient · Jun 27th, 2013, 09:47

My pen'orth...

I have a 'Classic' because I love the shape and the interior layout.

I have thought (quite often) of a Phase 2. Then all it takes is to look at mine again. I loved that shape and style from the day it first came out and have never changed my opinion.

Funnily enough, there is a Phase 2 the same colour as mine (midnight blue) just round the corner from me (but not quite as well kept!) and each time I see it, I'm glad that I have a Classic. Recently, I found that I am going to inherit some money (not a life-changing amount) and I did think quite seriously about 'changing up' to a newer model (I even had a thread about that in here somewhere); but to look at mine, just after I gave it a polish yesterday, reinforced my feelings as to why I will keep 'The Blue Streak'.

john493 · Jun 27th, 2013, 10:23

Bought my turquoise 1998 V70 about 6 weeks ago, with only 96k and a full history. Previous owner had it for 13 years.
It's a 170 bhp CD spec auto.
I wanted an auto and got put off by reliability concerns on the later 5 speed auto box.
The car is very well built and comfortable and a timeless shape. I'm spending money on it to make it new - that's just a bit of paint on the bumpers & some dent removal for minor car-park dents in the doors.
Overall very happy with it and it's reasonably economical for the size considering the auto box. I paid quite a high price for it compared with many on offer, and am spending more, but it'll be nice when finished

Mudhook · Jun 27th, 2013, 12:48

Thanks guys. I'm getting the picture. I have been a bit blind to the 850/V70 cars during my 10-odd years of 740/940 ownership. Had an 850 on test drive once and it went like stink but was a bit basic inside.

My V70 is like a Roller (to me) inside, and to drive. I'm still getting used to the plastic walnut trim though.

Final point - for today! Anyone had any experience of soggy bonnet springs? Mine won't stay up without help. Can this be fixed or will I need to start packing a broom handle?

Time was, if you looked at a 740/940 with a broom handle in the back it was a cert the tailgate struts were shot, and often the tailgate interior trim too from all the slamming.

Regards, Mudhook.

TimS · Jun 27th, 2013, 12:55

I had a P2 V70 from new for 11 years, & recently bought a new P3 one. My old P2 seemed to have a higher quality interior than the P3 (although the latter of course has more features & electronics). Interesting to see people's opinions that the P1 was better than the P2. Progress!

Tim.

DaveNP · Jun 27th, 2013, 14:28

It's highly unscientific but I just prefer the shape of the earlier V70, the front end of either is pretty much the same but the bulging sides of the later model just look fat. (That's fat as in overweight, not phat! as in wikkid!). There's also the school of thought that the more modern a car is the more new fangled electronic gizmos there are to go wrong.

Westyman · Jun 27th, 2013, 14:48

I have had one each of the three V70 phases. First was a 2000
XC petrol, next was a 2005 D5 then a 2010 D5.
All have been auto and all AWD. After 3 RWD Volvo estates I was reluctant to go FWD on the 850/V70 ph. 1 but hankered after the AWD version which I found used eventually about a year old. This was swapped for the diesel ph. 2 and then the ph. 3 diesel.
They've all been good but my perception is that trim quality worsens as the cars get newer. But saying that, nothing has fallen off. However both ph. 2 and ph. 3 cars have had body flexure causing tailgate noises.

capt jack · Jun 27th, 2013, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudhook

Final point - for today! Anyone had any experience of soggy bonnet springs? Mine won't stay up without help. Can this be fixed or will I need to start packing a broom handle?

Can't think why the bonnet springs would go soft as they are not gas springs at all are they?

It's just a simple scissor mechanism with a heavy duty coil spring on each side.

Is something loose or broken as to me it looks as though the bonnet spring mechanism is real old-fashioned Volvo - simple, strong and reliable.

Jack

Jun 26th, 2013, 23:23	#1
Mudhook Member Last Online: Sep 26th, 2023 19:16 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Harleston, Norfolk	V70 1st & second gen: discuss Chaps What I have acquired (2000 2.5 V70 Classic) is one of the last of the original V70s, as far as I can see. I think the second-generation V70 (2000 - 2007-ish) ones were also pre-Ford-platform cars. What is the word amongst the knowledgeable as to the relative merits of the two cars? Big differences? Strong feelings. Later is just better? Tx for any words of wisdom. Again I have searched for threads on this but haven't yet turned up a clear view. Regards, Mudhook.

Jun 27th, 2013, 09:47	#4
christheancient Aged Volvo Lover Last Online: Sep 16th, 2021 10:19 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: A place in mendip-land famous for its cheese - and its gorge	My pen'orth... I have a 'Classic' because I love the shape and the interior layout. I have thought (quite often) of a Phase 2. Then all it takes is to look at mine again. I loved that shape and style from the day it first came out and have never changed my opinion. Funnily enough, there is a Phase 2 the same colour as mine (midnight blue) just round the corner from me (but not quite as well kept!) and each time I see it, I'm glad that I have a Classic. Recently, I found that I am going to inherit some money (not a life-changing amount) and I did think quite seriously about 'changing up' to a newer model (I even had a thread about that in here somewhere); but to look at mine, just after I gave it a polish yesterday, reinforced my feelings as to why I will keep 'The Blue Streak'. __________________ Our children don't inherit the world from us. We are borrowing it from them.

Jun 27th, 2013, 10:23	#5
john493 Spannering since birth Last Online: Yesterday 08:01 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Oxon	V70 ph1 Bought my turquoise 1998 V70 about 6 weeks ago, with only 96k and a full history. Previous owner had it for 13 years. It's a 170 bhp CD spec auto. I wanted an auto and got put off by reliability concerns on the later 5 speed auto box. The car is very well built and comfortable and a timeless shape. I'm spending money on it to make it new - that's just a bit of paint on the bumpers & some dent removal for minor car-park dents in the doors. Overall very happy with it and it's reasonably economical for the size considering the auto box. I paid quite a high price for it compared with many on offer, and am spending more, but it'll be nice when finished

Jun 27th, 2013, 14:28	#8
DaveNP Non VOC Member Last Online: May 29th, 2024 18:03 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Milton Keynes	It's highly unscientific but I just prefer the shape of the earlier V70, the front end of either is pretty much the same but the bulging sides of the later model just look fat. (That's fat as in overweight, not phat! as in wikkid!). There's also the school of thought that the more modern a car is the more new fangled electronic gizmos there are to go wrong. __________________ David V70 2.5 10v Torslanda Manual 98 Sreg

Jun 27th, 2013, 14:48	#9
Westyman VOC Member Last Online: May 5th, 2024 20:57 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Derby	I have had one each of the three V70 phases. First was a 2000 XC petrol, next was a 2005 D5 then a 2010 D5. All have been auto and all AWD. After 3 RWD Volvo estates I was reluctant to go FWD on the 850/V70 ph. 1 but hankered after the AWD version which I found used eventually about a year old. This was swapped for the diesel ph. 2 and then the ph. 3 diesel. They've all been good but my perception is that trim quality worsens as the cars get newer. But saying that, nothing has fallen off. However both ph. 2 and ph. 3 cars have had body flexure causing tailgate noises. __________________ 2014MY XC60 D5 SE Lux AWD Geartronic hauling a 2011MY Vanmaster Accolade And for more fun: 1972 MG B GT

Jun 27th, 2013, 00:00	#2
green van man Premier Member Last Online: Apr 11th, 2024 09:21 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ffos y Ffin	You will have as many opinions as there are members so here's mine. Have phase 1 V70 bought to replace a 460 that got written off for me. Like the car a lot to the extent that despite looking at other and newer models it still sits on my drive after 10 years of ownership. When the phase 2 was a new model I looked at it in local dealers and my immediate impression upon sitting in it was why have they made a class car into a boy racer wannabe, the cabin just seemed cheap in comparison to its predecessor. For me the real turn off was the handbrake position, have arthritis in shoulder and could not comfortably use it, which is not really a fault with the car just a reason for me not likening it. Engine wise the later cars are more powerful but I find the 140 horses of mine more than adequate for my needs and fuel consumption is great for the size of car it is being an oil burner. There is minimal electronics to the older cars which makes them easier and cheaper to maintain. It would cost £30,000 to update to a car the same age as the one I have was when I bought it and I really see no pressing need to do so. Regards Paul.

Jun 27th, 2013, 09:39	#3
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Jun 3rd, 2024 21:22 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	On the one hand, you'd think that the newer the car the better in terms of technology, design improvements etc. Personally I prefer the look of the 'Classic' V70, and I would agree that the materials used, especially in the cabin, feel of a higher quality in the Classic. The early 'new' 70s were not without their problems - the driver display module for example. Having said that, the Classic could boast the odd foible too - the ABS module and the ETM for example. Perhaps it's not really fair to compare a 97 Classic with an 02 pre-Ford Volvo - each have their strengths and weaknesses. If your budget is say up to £3000 and you're looking for a well-built practical and versatile car that is well-built and promises good service then it's probably best to keep your mind a bit open, and choose the individual car from the available stock based on condition and history. They are after all, Volvos. Cheers Jack

Jun 27th, 2013, 12:48	#6
Mudhook Member Last Online: Sep 26th, 2023 19:16 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Harleston, Norfolk	Thanks guys. I'm getting the picture. I have been a bit blind to the 850/V70 cars during my 10-odd years of 740/940 ownership. Had an 850 on test drive once and it went like stink but was a bit basic inside. My V70 is like a Roller (to me) inside, and to drive. I'm still getting used to the plastic walnut trim though. Final point - for today! Anyone had any experience of soggy bonnet springs? Mine won't stay up without help. Can this be fixed or will I need to start packing a broom handle? Time was, if you looked at a 740/940 with a broom handle in the back it was a cert the tailgate struts were shot, and often the tailgate interior trim too from all the slamming. Regards, Mudhook.

Jun 27th, 2013, 12:55	#7
TimS Senior Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:08 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Suffolk	I had a P2 V70 from new for 11 years, & recently bought a new P3 one. My old P2 seemed to have a higher quality interior than the P3 (although the latter of course has more features & electronics). Interesting to see people's opinions that the P1 was better than the P2. Progress! Tim.

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