Volvo V70 2.0T SE (2003) - opinions?

Gregor Samsa

I'm looking to upgrade to a decent sized estate (got a baby, 2 kayaks and a load of scuba gear) with a bit of comfort.

I've come across a 2003 Volvo V70 2.0T SE that seems to fit the bill (42,000 miles).

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V70/2.0-T-SE/200840190281373/advert

Has anyone owned one of these, or can offer any opinions/information on them?

Its fuel consumption is a little bit of a worry for me at about 30 mpg (mixed driving), but I won't be doing mad mileage. The smallest diesel engine in the V70 is 2.4, so fuel savings would be eaten into by the increased road tax (not that I've done a proper calculation).

I prefer the look of the V50, but I think it would be a bit small for my needs.

Anyway, any thoughts?

Stevie Dakota

V50 is small, V70 is a cracking car, if you can live with the mpg and get it checked thoroughly before hand it could be all the car you ever need.

Anan1

I'd be a little iffy about both Volvo reliability and its being a manual. Something like this would make more sense to me: http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1360992

Philush

wouldnt be mad on the volvo myself,but havent really heard anything negative about them, the legacys are nice, plus you can get the benefit of 4wd on them,

what about something like this?not sure about your price range

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/X-Type/2.0-D-S-/200913192257367/advert

if you look on pistonheads.com too in the uk you can get mondeo st estates, model up to 01 fairly cheap and they're lovely cars, nice spec nice engine and plenty of room, had one myself for few years and loved it, road tax could be a problem tho,2.5 and petrol so short trips it'll drink it but long haul it runs on fumes

cjt156

We have one at home; wife's car. Its a 2001 2.0T Auto & really is the perfect family car. That 5 cyclinder engine is smooth & responsive. Thirsty though, she gets a steady 21mpg city driving, though I get over 30 when I take it on a longer run. Ours has over 110K miles on it now & I just changed the front shocks & spring mounts (mounts go at high miles - listen for metallic clunks over speed bumps).
Fantastic for load-lugging too, all the seats fold flat & its HUGE inside.
Have it checked out by someone you trust & you won't go wrong.

Drummerboy08

That X Type, nice car as it is, would be a LOT smaller compared to the V70.

The only thing that would worry me is the fuel consumption. They are very thirsty. OTher than that? Comfortable, smooth, fairly quick (if its manual).

Cant really go wrong with it, especially with that mileage.

skyhighflyer

Can't go wrong with the Volvo - short of a van, you won't get much more storage space and the D5 engine is a cracker (check is it the 163 or 185bhp version), but for lower mileage the 2.0t might be a better bet as you say yourself. Also they're the most comfy cars in the world bar none.

www.swedespeed.com has all you need.

bennyc

That would be a cracking car , I imagine the fuel consumption would be around the same as mine maybe a bit harder (02 s60 2.0t SE). I can get 31 out of it but honestly I would say 28 the way I drive. The comfort in that car would be very hard to beat the seats are class and cream leather too, and you have all the toys also. If you could get a d5 do but I doubt you would get anything for that price so the difference in fuel consumption would not pay off. I would recommend you get an AA check as it could be the best few pound spent. People say the suspension cost a lot but I am hitting 115K Miles and still touch wood nothing major had to be done. I would have got one of these long ago but herself just does not like the look of estates.

Gregor Samsa

Thanks all - seems that there's a consensus that the V70 is a decent car - I hope to take a look at this one at the weekend and see what sort of condition it's in and how it goes.

As for the X Type, nice car, but I'd feel a bit bad for it with 2 sea-water and sand drenched kayaks on the roof. The Volvo looks like tougher stuff, and would probably not be so insulted to be a work horse. :-)

Pique

Out of curiousity, what's the older shape V70 like ? Are they the same engines or running gear ? Is it basically a Vectra chassis or summat underneath ?

Hellrazer

Have to say Im a big fan of the V70.Its one of the few (newer) Volvos that rarely give any problems.
And another thing I like about the V70 is that it can easily be made into a 7 seater for around a grand.2 rear facing seats can be fitted that fold flat into the floor for extra seating.
Ideal family car for the amount of space you get.

R.O.R

Where are you based & do you have a trade in? Might know of a nice V70 going through an auction soon.............

Drummerboy08

R.O.R wrote: »

Where are you based & do you have a trade in? Might know of a nice V70 going through an auction soon.............

:rolleyes::D Chancer

Gregor Samsa

R.O.R wrote: »

Where are you based & do you have a trade in? Might know of a nice V70 going through an auction soon.............

I'm in Clare, and I have cash, so I'll probably just (try to) sell what I have privately.

VolvoMan

phutyle wrote: »

I'm looking to upgrade to a decent sized estate (got a baby, 2 kayaks and a load of scuba gear) with a bit of comfort.

I've come across a 2003 Volvo V70 2.0T SE that seems to fit the bill (42,000 miles).

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/V70/2.0-T-SE/200840190281373/advert

Has anyone owned one of these, or can offer any opinions/information on them?

Its fuel consumption is a little bit of a worry for me at about 30 mpg (mixed driving), but I won't be doing mad mileage. The smallest diesel engine in the V70 is 2.4, so fuel savings would be eaten into by the increased road tax (not that I've done a proper calculation).

I prefer the look of the V50, but I think it would be a bit small for my needs.

Anyway, any thoughts?

No better car for the job, and I'm not being biased in saying it. I won't lie to you and say that the 2.0 LPT engine is good on fuel, but it won't cost you an arm and a leg to run either if you'll only be doing low mileage. It is also powerful (180 bhp) and has a very distinctive 5 cylinder sound.

The V50 is more style over substance. It is a lifestyle estate and most definately not your typical Volvo load carrier. In saying that though, it is still a fine family car.

Anan1 wrote: »

I'd be a little iffy about both Volvo reliability and its being a manual. Something like this would make more sense to me: http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1360992

Why is it ever since you got a Subaru it is all you post?:rolleyes:

Reliabilty has been less than perfect but never described as awful on modern Volvo's. The manual is also a much better choice than the slow and fuel consuming auto.

colm_mcm

I quite like the V70 D5. the turning circle on the V70 is crazy though

VolvoMan

colm_mcm wrote: »

I quite like the V70 D5. the turning circle on the V70 is crazy though

That is a well known problem associated with S60/V70. There is no reason for it and I've never understood it myself.

GiftGrub100

The V70 is an excellent estate car and does the job of carrying people or luggage/stuff very well. The 2.0T engine is a very nice motor and with 180 bhp very nice to drive.

Also the V70 can be converted to seven seater if you end up on school runs in the future.

The large turning circle is correct as car is a front wheel drive model and has quite a wide track, based on the same floorpan as the first generation S80 this issue applies to the S60 as well, however once you know the limitations it's very easy to drive.

The newer models - late 07 onwards are much improved as they have moved all the ancillaries on the engine block and created space for the wheels to move.

Main issues with suspension arise at NCT time and it's normally front suspension which requires attention, not surprising given the state of our road network. For a family car you cannot go wrong with a V70.

Hellrazer

GiftGrub100 wrote: »

The newer models - late 07 onwards are much improved as they have moved all the ancillaries on the engine block and created space for the wheels to move.

Just bear in mind that the 07 on models cannot be converted to a seven seater.
For some reason which I cant fathom Volvo decided to do away with the ability to convert which IMO was a huge selling point for the older v70`s.

Anan1

VolvoMan wrote: »

Why is it ever since you got a Subaru it is all you post?:rolleyes:

Reliabilty has been less than perfect but never described as awful on modern Volvo's. The manual is also a much better choice than the slow and fuel consuming auto.

Because the Legacy is cheaper, is two years younger, has less mileage, has AWD, and would in all probability be more reliable? As i'm sure you're aware, either car can be had with either transmission. I have a Forester 2.5XT, VolvoMan, I wouldn't buy a Legacy 2.0 myself. But the car's not for me, is it?

Gregor Samsa

Hmmm... A Cartell check seems to suggest that the car has been at the dealer's for quite a while. The tax expiry date is listed as 31-Aug-2007, and hasn't been renewed since. It went through the NCT in June 2008, but that's due again in Sept 2009, which means that it missed it's original NCT in Sept 2007.

I haven't seen the car yet (or spoken to the dealers) and maybe the information on Cartell is inaccuratre, but the prospect of it being off the road for so long (1.5 years) doesn't inspire confidence in me.

Anyway, it seems the V70 is for me, so it's just a matter of finding the right specimen. I might still take a look at this one if time allows.

Hellrazer

Being in a dealers for 2 years wouldnt put me off buying it to be honest.
Firstly it`ll probably have lower mileage having not been driven for 2 years and secondly you might get a really good deal on it if it is sitting there that long.

Ive often bought cars that have been in dealers for 2 or more years and they usually jump at the chance to sell something thats there that long.

Try get a guarantee on it passing the NCT and also 12 months warranty and you should be fine.

Stevie Dakota

Vovlo.co.uk has this. Not much in the price, a year younger and from Volvo UK it will be pristine with verified history.

Model V70 Sport (2000-2004)
V70 2.0 T SPORT 5D
Body Style 5 Dr
Registration NA54XXV
Registration Date Sep 2004

Mileage 39,600
Colour Black Metallic
Interior Trim Part-Leather
Interior Colour Arena
Transmission Manual
Fuel Type Petrol
Price £7,490

€12,500 ish after VRT

Just another option.

louis346789

i bought 2.4 d 2004 at 7 stg in uk with 76000 miles. average is over 50 mpg. its hard to beat for comfort and reliability. secret is to keep it below 65 mph

sk8board

Anan1 wrote: »

Because the Legacy is cheaper, is two years younger, has less mileage, has AWD, and would in all probability be more reliable? As i'm sure you're aware, either car can be had with either transmission. I have a Forester 2.5XT, VolvoMan, I wouldn't buy a Legacy 2.0 myself. But the car's not for me, is it?

all probably true, but mention of the works load-lugger and kayak ends the argument for me; v70 wins hands down.

Slightly off topic: I was looking at a new model V70 while on a business trip in the UK last month; was a main-dealer in london, and he was mad keen to cut a deal. Cracking car even though I didn't test drive it.
Came across this article re the differences between old and new V70 and how the new one stacks against the load-lugger rivals
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/210283/volvo_v70_vs_rivals.html