1999 Volvo S70 Consumer Reviews

Experiences With My Current Volvo S70

Written by: Vivian on 08/31/2007

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

This is a stick shift car which is going strong at 92,000 miles. I use it for both business and personal use. It is roomy inside, handles beautifully, and I feel very safe when I'm driving. I like the design better than the new Volvo sedans' design. Fuel economy is impressive - better than the published figures (my driving is about 50% city and 50% highway). Trunk space is more than adequate. We generally keep our Volvos for fourteen or fifteen years and they are always manual transmission cars.

Favorite Features

The stick shift! Great fun to drive and, at 92,000 miles, we have yet to replace the clutch.

Suggested Improvements

Radio antenna - it has broken twice and it doesn't provide the best reception in rural areas.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

A special car

Written by: Tim B. on 02/19/2007

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

We bought this car while stationed in England and it has turned out to be one of our best purchases. We picked it up in Gothenburg Sweden in February 1999 and visiting Sweden in February is the only thing I would change (too much cold and snow). We have 185,000 miles now and the car still performs great. I taught 3 sons how to drive in it and it took it all in stride. Fit and finish are still first class-- my friends have wondered at the lack of squeaks and rattles with this many miles. The seats are still the best in the business and the paint and finish is still great. This is one of the best cars I've ever owned and I plan on hanging on to it until it falls apart.

Favorite Features

Strong engine, good shifting transmission, good handling, decent gas mileage, great seats, and great looking car.

Suggested Improvements

Too many electrical faults--those need to be improved. Volvo service and maintenance is too expensive--go find a good independent mechanic.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Built strong to last long

Written by: Hartman on 12/12/2006

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

I have the manual trans. and I love flipping through gears on the back country roads. The volvo rides really well, and brings a strong sense of safety while inside. The S70 has surprising jump and performance for a 5cyl. The car handles great in snow and rain (firestone affinity tires), hugs tight corners well, and driving the S70 leaves me daydreaming of rally car racing! -no joke- Only a few minor quirks but overall this car is flying under the radar as an awesome sedan - and this is comparing to the bmw 3series and vw passat

Favorite Features

Slick looking, Peppy 5cyl., Smoooooth shifting manual trans, great gear ratios, safety

Suggested Improvements

Flimsy cup holders. the car is designed for safety so the interior can take a while to adjust to-odd head rests, blind spots, and the feeling that any way you adjust the seat you are still sitting up straight. Expensive sensor repair(I hear) Have yet to fix my O2 sensor for 6months out of bill fear

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

great ride, expensive maintenace

Written by: Robbie on 11/11/2006

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Bought this car used with 79,000 miles on it. My wife and I love this car at first. The ride was far above other sedans we had driven. Even the standard 5 cyl. has good pickup and can really go at high speeds. We love the look and design as well. The maintenance has been a different story. When I bought the car it only had one owner before me and the service manual was beautiful all stamped by cert. volvo. I felt good when I left the lot. Not 1 week went by and window switch went out ($200). Next it was a vacuum thing ($200). We kept up with the maintenance as well which is average $400 a pop. 2 oxy sensors ($500) and a/c evap. ($1000). Sold vehicle in 2006. great drive not reliable

Favorite Features

Handling, best ride of any car (honda, toyota, or nissan). Great interior look. Love the leather and woodgrain.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability. Terrible Cup holders!!! Hard to justify Spending all that money on maintaining and still having so many problems. With honda and the others its change oil and timing belt and get many, many miles. Rather have reliability than luxury at this cost.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great car

Written by: Mojovolvo on 11/06/2006

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr GLT Turbo Sedan

Review

I really have enjoyed owning this car. In manages to be compact on the outside, yet so roomy on the inside. It's getting old now, and has 160,000 miles on it, but people still comment, "I like your NEW Volvo", and every time someone new gets in they say, "wow, this car is comfortable!" Beyond that, it never breaks, is fun to drive, returns reasonable mileage, and is incredibly practical.

Favorite Features

The large one-touch sunroof, the tight turning circle, and the TURBO!

Suggested Improvements

It could stand a cushier ride.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Very solid car

Written by: Zach on 09/21/2006

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr STD Turbo 4WD Sedan

Review

This is my first volvo. We purchased in PA and live in MN, so we had a great introduction to its quality on the ride home. Mechanically - this car is a very solid purchase. It performs extremely well, the suspension is very fun, and the brakes are great. You can really tell that it is very high quality car. It's not without the quirks you usually find in European cars and it is more expensive to maintain. Service lights come on fairly often, but you soon learn that life has not stopped if check engine comes on. It's just how the car works. It eventually goes off (and there's plenty of info online from other volvo owners).

Favorite Features

The car is quick for its weight (it's a volvo and it's safe, so it's also heavy). The brakes / suspension /interior comfort are from another world if you're used to US/Japanesse cars. It's just a different style of building a car. AWD is very nice in MN.

Suggested Improvements

Quirky electronics / computer system could be improved. Cost of maintenance is higher than domestic cars.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Volvo: solid with exceptions

Written by: bilbyjg on 06/07/2006

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

Adequate power. Pleasing engine sound. 30 mpg highway, 24 city. Very comfortable. Chintzy cupholders. Bottom of dash beginning to tear off; did a DIY with some tape and glue. Otherwise fairly solid interior. Leather seats remain in beautiful shape. Good storage space with seats forward. Beautiful styling, reminds me of the better VWs. Outstanding handling, good in emergencies. Multiple sensor malfunctions - ABS, TRACs, BRAKE light, Check Engine, Transmission, ETS (accompanied with revving engine @ idle). Have learned to ignore the less dangerous (e.g. the amber ones), as it is an older car. Very happy if you're willing to see past some of the quirks.

Favorite Features

Seats. Mileage and power. Handling. Safety features.

Suggested Improvements

Electrical system.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Great Car Fantastic Durabilty

Written by: Chris on 03/05/2006

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr GLT Turbo Sedan

Review

This car is one of the best for reliabitly. Can be an annoying problem with electrical warning lights sometimes going off for no reason. Everyone seems to have that check engine problem. Car still looks and runs great.

Favorite Features

Stereo, Seats, Leather, fit and finish, the visor controls for community gate and personal garage

Suggested Improvements

need to inprove electronic problems. suspension could be softer and could be a tad quiter in the cabin

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post

Last Good Year

Written by: josh on 11/07/2005

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

All and all I love my Volvo. I would not buy a newer one as Ford has ruined Volvo. My only complaint is the rattles. The vibration of the engine when the brake is on makes the whole car rattle and buzz. Also, over nearly any bump the suspension jars you, not rides like a tank (as old volvos do).

Favorite Features

Comfortable and roomy. The stereo is excellent and the safety features.

Suggested Improvements

A more cushy suspension. The car is unusually harsh over pavement with any imperfections.

Report inappropriate post

Dashboard problems

Written by: Disappointed on 09/08/2005

Vehicle

1999 Volvo S70 4 Dr STD Sedan

Review

The dashboard began making loud noises. Dealership informed me that dash has come loose from firewall and needs to be replaced because when screws came loose it broke the clips holding it on. New dash is $2k w/o labor. Volvo has this same issue in 1997 and 1998 models and will not do anything about it. Volvo told me that if it happened within the manufacturer warranty (4yrs) they would have covered it. Extended warranty does not cover it because it is a structural defect. I purchased a Volvo for safety and for the long term. They don't make them like they used to.

Favorite Features

Inside of the car is very roomy. Only downside is the two very small cupholders.

Suggested Improvements

Stand behind your mistakes. I have lost all confidence in Volvo if they could not learn from their mistakes in 1997 and 1998. Are they really looking out for the customer or their bottom line?

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

Report inappropriate post