1999 Volvo C70 Review
1999 Volvo C70 Review
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Used C70 for sale
Appraise This CarVolvo C70 model years
Volvo C70 types
- Convertible
- Coupe
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Roomy inside, sexy outside, Volvo safe under the skin. Turbo provides as much speed as you'll ever need.
Cons
- Poorly conceived easy-entry power feature for front seats. Tacked-on look of Dolby center dash speaker.
What’s new
Volvo offers a light-pressure turbocharged engine in the coupe. Both coupes and convertibles get a bit of new standard and optional equipment.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Volvo C70 HT Turbo 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$207/mo for C70 HT
C70 HT
vs
$181/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
Forget what you think you know about Volvo. Well, almost everything you know. Volvos are still safe cars, but they aren't to be relegated to granola crunchies and conservative suburbanites any longer. The C70 coupe and convertible are proof of that.
With the mission of going after buyers looking for a little excitement, Volvo engineers transformed the sturdy but boxy S70 into a svelte coupe last year with impressive performance and room for four bona-fide adults. Sheetmetal forward of the windshield is shared with the S70 sedan and V70 wagon, but aft of the front glass, the C70 is all curvy coupe or convertible.
Under the C70's sheetmetal, buyers will find the chassis of the S70/V70, along with the choice of two powertrains: the 2.3-liter turbocharged five-cylinder that makes 236 horsepower or the 2.4-liter light-pressure turbocharged five cylinder engine that makes 190 horsepower. The smaller engine allows for a lower-priced ticket into the class and is the same engine found under the hood of the S70 GLT Sedan and V70 GLT wagon.
This year, buyers of both coupe and convertible models will enjoy standard interior enhancements that include a leather steering wheel, redesigned interior light switches, 130-mph speed limiter, front fender turn indicators and red walnut dash trim in place of last year's black wood. A new 17-inch alloy wheel option is available in 1999 for both coupes and convertibles. The coupe also gets an in-dash cruise control indicator light. New colors include Desert Wind for the coupe and Champagne for the convertible.
Structural rigidity was a priority with the C70, and the results show when driving it along winding roads. This coupe is rock solid but the convertible exhibits more cowl shake than we expected. And, in keeping with Volvo's tradition of providing safe transportation, the C70 has dual front airbags with two-level triggering this year, side airbags for front passengers, three-point inertia reel safety belts at all positions, anti-submarining front seats and the SIPS side-impact protection system. Additionally, convertibles provide a rollover protection system (ROPS).
The C70s battle the shapely new Mercedes-Benz CLK, the BMW 3-Series and larger models like the Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe. But the C70s have changed the way people think about Volvo, and should fare well in the fight.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Volvo C70.
5 star(50%)
4 star(38%)
3 star(9%)
2 star(3%)
1 star(0%)
34 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4 out of 5 stars
Tough Volvo Powertrain....Get the 4 speed tranny .
Jack Weed, 02/08/2016
1999 Volvo C70 LT Turbo 2dr Convertible
Stay away from the five speed tranny (FORD). It fails early...The 4 speed automatic will go forever, as will the 5 cylinder engine. The front ends on these cars squeal, squeak...The dealer will say that you need an front end rebuilt...Don't do it...it will still squeak after you pay $2500 to get it rebuilt, and the original front end will go 250,000...if you don't mind the noise. All in … all, Volvo tough...and a fun car to drive.
4.38 out of 5 stars
1999 C70 LT Coupe, Overall a Good Car
Tareq Shahwan, 10/08/2008
1999 Volvo C70 LT 2dr Coupe
Bought this car used with about 30,000 miles. I've owened now for 6+ years, very little problems. I had an issue with the turbo (was leaking and had it repaired for about $150). Other than that, it has been a pretty good car. The only issue with this model (and the dealers I've visited agreed with me on) is the ABD braking system. It is flaky and kicks in during normal braking … conditions. One issue I had recently was with the switching panel on the dirver door that controls the windows, the unit blew up while I was driving and I saw smoke come out inside the car. I ordered a brand new unit for about $145 (if I remember correctly) and replaced it myself. Other than that, it's been fun
4.75 out of 5 stars
Volvo C70 convertible
spackle, 07/13/2004
1999 Volvo C70 LT Turbo 2dr Convertible
What a fun car to drive! Only problems are minor,
and peculiar to convertibles (this is my first). For
instance, the shoulder belt is hard to get to when
the door is closed, and the inside rearview mirror
view out of the tiny rear window is ... well, tiny.
Also, there's a huge blind spot for the driver off the
right and left rear sides in the back seat, where the …
convertible top blocks a lot of the view. It's hard to
change lanes, sometimes, or to pull out into traffic
and be confident you can see oncoming traffic.
Other than this, it's a great car. We bought it used,
a year ago, and have gone through one
Pennsylvania winter so far, no problems.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Awesome Convertible
TopDownMan, 11/07/2003
1999 Volvo C70 LT Turbo 2dr Convertible
This car blends a great convertible
with excellent gas mileage, four seats
and incredible safety. The style of
the car is quite unique and you have
great power with the turbo engine.
1999 C70 Highlights
Convertible
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $212/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 7.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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