2001 Volvo C70 Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

Based on a platform that is nearly a decade old, the first "out of the box" Volvo is in need of a redesign.

Pros

Ample room, powerful engine, many safety and comfort features.

Cons

Adding options quickly boosts the price, torque steer becomes evident during hard throttle acceleration.

What's New for 2001

Volvo has dropped the C70 Coupe light-pressure turbo (LPT), meaning only the high-pressure turbo coupe (HPT) is offered. A new five-speed automatic transmission is optional equipment. Exterior styling remains the same, but there are new 16-inch wheels for all models, with the 17-inch wheels still being optional. Simulated wood trim replaces the previous car's burled walnut wood trim. The coupe's previously standard equipment of the trip computer, auto-dimming rearview mirror, simulated wood trim, leather upholstery and sunroof are now part of the Grand Touring option package. The premium audio system is optional on the HPT coupe and standard on the HPT convertible.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Unreliable - Never again

Written by: Va on 12/01/2008

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	1
Comfort:	7	Interior Design:	6	Reliability:	1
Fuel Economy:	6	Exterior Design:	8

Vehicle

2001 Volvo C70 HT 2dr Coupe (2.3L 5cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This is the most unreliable auto I have ever owned in over 30 years. Interior switches and plastic parts fail or fall apart, electronics fail, wind noise is pronounced, the power steering has leaked, the electreonic key will not hold a code - countless trips to the dealer, bulbs constantly burn out, the upholstery peels. Nice looking but pure, unmitigated junk.

Favorite Features

Comfortable seats

Suggested Improvements

Complete redesign of the electroncs system

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The Man & His Machine (update)

Written by: jmybowen on 10/28/2008


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	9
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	9
Fuel Economy:	7	Exterior Design:	10

I'm the guy who reviewed his "Red HP-turbo coupe" almost four years ago; this is an update. I hit a deer with it three years ago and it's a tank! Very safe! Now the cost of ownership: Well, I now have 160k+. I think the transmission is starting to slip. I drive 20k per year; that's about 1k every three months for service,the 17in Mich. A/S tires run about $1,300 every 60K, premium fuel is a must! Don't let anyone else convince you otherwise [160k-remember?]. If you're planning to buy one of these used-& No you can"t have mine!-keep in mind that these things cost you. It's been eight years now. I love it! But my next primary car will be something less expensive & more practical.

Heated seats/mirrors, HP turbo engine, still the "Passion Red" exterior w/ beige leather interior, pwr: seats, sunroof, and windows, the "BBS" factory "Honeycomb" rims, & the interior controls

Bring back this C70 hardtop body-style, Run-flat A/S tires, an after-market/ factory 300 horse-power "R" upgrade engine option, a rubber cargo mat for the trunk.

Beautiful but shaky car

Written by: Todd on 07/16/2008


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	5
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	3
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	10

2001 Volvo C70 HT 2dr Convertible (2.3L 5cyl Turbo 5M)

The C70 is a classically beautiful long hood/short deck design that looks great top up or down. The back seat room and rear visibility is very good for a convertible. This is my 3rd different 4-seat convertible, and the Volvo easily tops the others in that area. On the down side, repairs have been more frequent than I had expected given Volvo's reputation, and much more expensive than I'd like. The cowl shake and suspension crashing over railroads and potholes is frighteningly bad. But when the sun is out, the top is down, and the road is smooth, the C70 is a great joy to drive. It's no sports car, but a grand touring vehicle of the first rank.

Highway driving, comfortable seats front and back, great stereo, good gas mileage, good power for cruising and passing.

Cowl shake, build quality. Would I buy it again? Yes, but for my next convertible (considering new model C70, BMW 3 series, VW Eos, Audi TT or A4) I'll be looking for improvements in these areas.

C70

Written by: 2001-C70 on 04/26/2008


Performance:	9	Fun-to-Drive:	9	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	9	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	9

I bought my C70 used with about 50K miles on it about 5 years ago. I love the way it looks, and love the way it drives even better. It is surprisingly quick for a Volvo. I had to replace the throttle body twice, but Volvo has covered it as a recall item, so it was on their nickel. I have had it in the shop for only one other significant issue. The mass airflow sensor went out while I was on a road trip and rendered the car not driveable, which was not at all convenient, but at least an easy fix. Overall, the reilability has been great. It definitely has been a great car for me.

Fun to drive. Great looks. ProLogic sound system. Reliability. Big trunk.

The back seats are actually pretty roomy for an adult, considering it is a coupe, but the electric seat motors for the front seats are painfully slow.

convertible volvo

Written by: myorchd on 01/11/2007


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	9	Exterior Design:	10

it's a very fun car to drive with lots of options. it is very reliable and comfortable car as well.

heated seats, auto lock convertible top

the convertible's blind spot needs to be smaller

2001 Volvo C70 Consumer Ratings & Reviews