I've got a 98 S70 right now and I love the thing except for the replacing of a part everyonce in a while, but thats what a 9 year old car will do. Anyways I'm looking at possibly buying a T5 version, mine is a base, the question I have is whether I should invest in a S70 T5 or should I wait 2 or 3 years till I'm out of college and invest in a S60 2.5T or R version? I mean which model is the better one? And for the record I have found a possible T5 candidate around where I live that has had the Stage III upgrade done to it, plus the ABS has just been rebuilt and a sway bar has been added on, with about 80,000 miles on it I believe for about 8K. If anyone could contribute it would be greatly appreciated.
S70 vs S60
Smithwicks
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I've got a 98 S70 right now and I love the thing except for the replacing of a part everyonce in a while, but thats what a 9 year old car will do. Anyways I'm looking at possibly buying a T5 version, mine is a base, the question I have is whether I should invest in a S70 T5 or should I wait 2 or 3 years till I'm out of college and invest in a S60 2.5T or R version? I mean which model is the better one? And for the record I have found a possible T5 candidate around where I live that has had the Stage III upgrade done to it, plus the ABS has just been rebuilt and a sway bar has been added on, with about 80,000 miles on it I believe for about 8K. If anyone could contribute it would be greatly appreciated.
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Get the R. Its unbelievable.
I have an S70 T5 with a cat back exhaust.
I HAD a 2004 S60R that had about every mod EVOLVE made on it. My R was *nice*. I only sold it to fund another car...and I miss it dearly.
I owned the R from stock to wildly modded.
From personal experience, I can tell yu that stock for stock....or each car evenly moded, the R will walk all over the S70 T5.
if you have a mildly modded S70 vs a STOCK R, you could outrun it in a straight line.
here are the weaknesses of the R.
it is very picky about gas. more so than an S70.
it is VERY picky about heat, moreso than an S70.
if it is super cold and you run 93+ octane, your R will fly. i mean FLY. if it is 85 degrees out and you have 91, the S70 T5 will easily keep up and maybe BEAT you.
my S70 had an IPD cat back exhaust. NO ECU upgrade. just an exhaust. from a slow speed roll...I dragged both cars...a friend driving the other car.... and I could keep up wiht the R no problem when it was stock.
S70 T5 vs the R. keep in mind the S70 weightsa lot less. once I modded the R with an ECU upgrade and dp, and exhuast, then it trounced my S70...
here is the area where your S70 will NEVER touch the R. handling. the R handles way way better. it's AWD. take it through teh twisties and then take the S70 though the twisties.
overall opinion - you really can't compare the two cars. the R is a much better car overall.
if you are ONLY considering straight line speed, you could EASILY make an S70 T5 kick the $hit out of a stock R in a straight line. easy. add a chip, dp, exhaust and any stock R will be eating your tailights. but...that R only needs a chip and it will probably haveno problm keeping up or beating you.
if you get an older high mileage R, i'd worry about repairs. they are more $$ to fix than an S70.
angle gears fail a lot on them. that's like a $2000+ job as the part is $$$
shocks are $1000 each give or take...and many SSers have had them fail. you WILL pay more to maintain the R than an S70.
funny how that works huh...the more fun/fast/cool a car is the more it costs, more it costs to keep it going..
it's expensive to be cool.
![Image]()
feel free to fire away with more questions. but having owned/driven both back to back and racdd them, etc...i figured i could give you a pretty good comparison.
I HAD a 2004 S60R that had about every mod EVOLVE made on it. My R was *nice*. I only sold it to fund another car...and I miss it dearly.
I owned the R from stock to wildly modded.
From personal experience, I can tell yu that stock for stock....or each car evenly moded, the R will walk all over the S70 T5.
if you have a mildly modded S70 vs a STOCK R, you could outrun it in a straight line.
here are the weaknesses of the R.
it is very picky about gas. more so than an S70.
it is VERY picky about heat, moreso than an S70.
if it is super cold and you run 93+ octane, your R will fly. i mean FLY. if it is 85 degrees out and you have 91, the S70 T5 will easily keep up and maybe BEAT you.
my S70 had an IPD cat back exhaust. NO ECU upgrade. just an exhaust. from a slow speed roll...I dragged both cars...a friend driving the other car.... and I could keep up wiht the R no problem when it was stock.
S70 T5 vs the R. keep in mind the S70 weightsa lot less. once I modded the R with an ECU upgrade and dp, and exhuast, then it trounced my S70...
here is the area where your S70 will NEVER touch the R. handling. the R handles way way better. it's AWD. take it through teh twisties and then take the S70 though the twisties.
overall opinion - you really can't compare the two cars. the R is a much better car overall.
if you are ONLY considering straight line speed, you could EASILY make an S70 T5 kick the $hit out of a stock R in a straight line. easy. add a chip, dp, exhaust and any stock R will be eating your tailights. but...that R only needs a chip and it will probably haveno problm keeping up or beating you.
if you get an older high mileage R, i'd worry about repairs. they are more $$ to fix than an S70.
angle gears fail a lot on them. that's like a $2000+ job as the part is $$$
shocks are $1000 each give or take...and many SSers have had them fail. you WILL pay more to maintain the R than an S70.
funny how that works huh...the more fun/fast/cool a car is the more it costs, more it costs to keep it going..
it's expensive to be cool.
feel free to fire away with more questions. but having owned/driven both back to back and racdd them, etc...i figured i could give you a pretty good comparison.
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Re: (23109VC)
Thanks for all the insight so far. But you mentioned it briefly, my main concern is going to be costs after purchase aka maintenance, can you comment on which one will cost me more down the road? And again the S70 T5 thats been modded out is around 80k if I remember correctly.
Thanks for all the insight so far. But you mentioned it briefly, my main concern is going to be costs after purchase aka maintenance, can you comment on which one will cost me more down the road? And again the S70 T5 thats been modded out is around 80k if I remember correctly.
i think you'll pay way more maintaining an R.
I think the older S70s were a more tried/true design and they lasted better.
whether it's true or not, Ford had their fingers in volvo after the S70, and the S60 has some parts on it that i honestly thought lookd/felt cheap by comparison to my R.
the R has the 4C system, AWD, and more computerized stuff than the S70. so if/when the $hit hits the fan - I think the R will cost you more.
my S60R had 56k miles when I sold it. I owned it as the second owner and bought it at 14k. so i drove it from 14k-56k.
i bought my S70 with 30k and it now has 130k....so I put about
30k on the R and about 100k on the S70.
i had more problems/issues with stuff going wrong with my R by far - despite driving it a LOT less. now I modded my R more...but I ran into a lot more problems with the R.
so in my opinion, in terms of reliability - the R sucks compared to the S70 (or 850).
can you get 93 octane in WI? the R is a pig on anythign short of 93. i swear..one of my BIGGEST complainst on my R was the performance being SOOO tempermental.
one day the car frickin' flew. the next day it was pig a$$ slow. my S70 is the same every day.
heat and gas KILL the R. literally...the R is a different car when it's 35 degrees out...than when it's 75 degrees. i know they make an FMIC now that will help..but unelss you have another $2000 to add that..you have to accept that the car will run slow as stink in the heat on bad gas.
as an example..when i first ot the R and it was stock...i raced it against my bro in law's RSX Type S. a 200hp car....he had like an AEM intake or somethig..whatever..it was basically stock. he and I ran at WOT at freeway speeds, and his RSX pulled away from my R! thtat was in like 90+ heat. I ran him again months later when it was cold and left him like he was standing still.
I HATED how the R performed up/down due to heat. and gas is the same frickin way. put 91 in the car and drive around. then after that tank, put in 100 octane race gas. again - different car. once you run the 100 or a blend, you get HOOKED on it and then you HATE driving on 91 b/c the car feels so damn slow.
my S70 rocks on 91.
in my opinion, the R was stretched - whether it was due to poor cooling, or too much boost or whatever...they were able to get it to make more power..but it couldn't do it consistently.
honestly...if I was in the market for a car again..and had the money to buy an R or say a TL... i'd get the TL.
right now i'm lookikng at maybe selling my S70 to get a new car, and despite all the "deals' on R's...i'm not even remotely interested in one. i'd rather have a TL-S. copared to a stock R it's ab etter car. now a modded R woudl walk all over the TL...but if you plan to leave it stock, like I do...the TL is hands down a bttter car. please don't flame me...
![Image]()
if you are on a lmited budget, I think i might look for a nicely modded T5, modd it a little more, and enjoy it.
unless you can find an R that is new enough and is still in factory warranty and you can afford an extended warranty...then only do minimal mods like a chip to not void it.
if I could afford an R vs a T5 - AND I could keep the R under warranty so I dind't have to fork over for repairs, i'd keep the R. it's WAY more fun than the S70.
if you will be buying some 75k miles R, with no warranty, and you are on limited funds, the R will bankrupt you. IMHO.
besides, on the R you'll go broke buying race gas once you get hooked on that crack...
![Image]()
I think the older S70s were a more tried/true design and they lasted better.
whether it's true or not, Ford had their fingers in volvo after the S70, and the S60 has some parts on it that i honestly thought lookd/felt cheap by comparison to my R.
the R has the 4C system, AWD, and more computerized stuff than the S70. so if/when the $hit hits the fan - I think the R will cost you more.
my S60R had 56k miles when I sold it. I owned it as the second owner and bought it at 14k. so i drove it from 14k-56k.
i bought my S70 with 30k and it now has 130k....so I put about
30k on the R and about 100k on the S70.
i had more problems/issues with stuff going wrong with my R by far - despite driving it a LOT less. now I modded my R more...but I ran into a lot more problems with the R.
so in my opinion, in terms of reliability - the R sucks compared to the S70 (or 850).
can you get 93 octane in WI? the R is a pig on anythign short of 93. i swear..one of my BIGGEST complainst on my R was the performance being SOOO tempermental.
one day the car frickin' flew. the next day it was pig a$$ slow. my S70 is the same every day.
heat and gas KILL the R. literally...the R is a different car when it's 35 degrees out...than when it's 75 degrees. i know they make an FMIC now that will help..but unelss you have another $2000 to add that..you have to accept that the car will run slow as stink in the heat on bad gas.
as an example..when i first ot the R and it was stock...i raced it against my bro in law's RSX Type S. a 200hp car....he had like an AEM intake or somethig..whatever..it was basically stock. he and I ran at WOT at freeway speeds, and his RSX pulled away from my R! thtat was in like 90+ heat. I ran him again months later when it was cold and left him like he was standing still.
I HATED how the R performed up/down due to heat. and gas is the same frickin way. put 91 in the car and drive around. then after that tank, put in 100 octane race gas. again - different car. once you run the 100 or a blend, you get HOOKED on it and then you HATE driving on 91 b/c the car feels so damn slow.
my S70 rocks on 91.
in my opinion, the R was stretched - whether it was due to poor cooling, or too much boost or whatever...they were able to get it to make more power..but it couldn't do it consistently.
honestly...if I was in the market for a car again..and had the money to buy an R or say a TL... i'd get the TL.
right now i'm lookikng at maybe selling my S70 to get a new car, and despite all the "deals' on R's...i'm not even remotely interested in one. i'd rather have a TL-S. copared to a stock R it's ab etter car. now a modded R woudl walk all over the TL...but if you plan to leave it stock, like I do...the TL is hands down a bttter car. please don't flame me...
if you are on a lmited budget, I think i might look for a nicely modded T5, modd it a little more, and enjoy it.
unless you can find an R that is new enough and is still in factory warranty and you can afford an extended warranty...then only do minimal mods like a chip to not void it.
if I could afford an R vs a T5 - AND I could keep the R under warranty so I dind't have to fork over for repairs, i'd keep the R. it's WAY more fun than the S70.
if you will be buying some 75k miles R, with no warranty, and you are on limited funds, the R will bankrupt you. IMHO.
besides, on the R you'll go broke buying race gas once you get hooked on that crack...
Joined
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Re: (23109VC)
Hm, i was reading the reviews for 98 S70's and it was really interesting, you would get people that had it at 8-10 out of 10 for reliabilty and then people would rate it 4-1 out of 10. many cited electrical problems especially with tail lights going out which made me laugh because thats the easiest thing to replace. i do admit that i have had electrical problems with my volvo aka gear light going out and multiple tail light and fog lights going bust, all replaced personally no big deal.
almost seemed that the people who rountinely maintained their cars didnt have problems but those who never did that ran into higher priced problems.
i mean i guess thats the name of the game is with the S70 that you have to pay careful attention to it at all times or else you will pay for it.
any input on any nagging repairs you've had to perform on your S70?
and dont worry about the TL comment i think acura is a great brand and would like to own one of their cars, but idk Volvo just has this feel to it. and plus wtf do most of these people think their getting themselves into when they buy a Euro, its a Euro, maintenance and parts are going to be lots of money, and Japanese basically just keep on truckin.
Hm, i was reading the reviews for 98 S70's and it was really interesting, you would get people that had it at 8-10 out of 10 for reliabilty and then people would rate it 4-1 out of 10. many cited electrical problems especially with tail lights going out which made me laugh because thats the easiest thing to replace. i do admit that i have had electrical problems with my volvo aka gear light going out and multiple tail light and fog lights going bust, all replaced personally no big deal.
almost seemed that the people who rountinely maintained their cars didnt have problems but those who never did that ran into higher priced problems.
i mean i guess thats the name of the game is with the S70 that you have to pay careful attention to it at all times or else you will pay for it.
any input on any nagging repairs you've had to perform on your S70?
and dont worry about the TL comment i think acura is a great brand and would like to own one of their cars, but idk Volvo just has this feel to it. and plus wtf do most of these people think their getting themselves into when they buy a Euro, its a Euro, maintenance and parts are going to be lots of money, and Japanese basically just keep on truckin.
Re: (Smithwicks)
just off the top ofmy head..
the S70 has had the following items repaired
radiator leaked - replaced
headlight switch on dash quit working. replaced
shocks replaced due to wear - 75k miles or so??
several tail light bulbs.
gear shift selector bulb burned out - replaced.
window regulator broke
cracked windshield - road debris..not car's fault
heater core replaced.
i've flushed fluids, changed oil, spark plugs, etc etc.
i'm not one of those people who has his car in the shp all the time for every little repair or tune up but I do NOT neglect the car.
my S70 has been very reliable in my opinion. my S60 never "broke down" on me or left me stranded, but it was in the shop mor eoften for little nuisance things related to the computers, sensors, etc.
both are good cars. the R is way more fun and has more performance potential and is by FAR a better handling car. but the S70 is goingto be way cheaper to buy mod and maintain.
if you got an S70, slapped on some pegs, did suspension, a chip, cat back, and just maintained it, you'd have close to 300hp in a car that weights HUNDREDS of pounds less than an R.
if you have the money, get the R.
test drive them and seew aht you like and then determine what your wallet will allow
just off the top ofmy head..
the S70 has had the following items repaired
radiator leaked - replaced
headlight switch on dash quit working. replaced
shocks replaced due to wear - 75k miles or so??
several tail light bulbs.
gear shift selector bulb burned out - replaced.
window regulator broke
cracked windshield - road debris..not car's fault
heater core replaced.
i've flushed fluids, changed oil, spark plugs, etc etc.
i'm not one of those people who has his car in the shp all the time for every little repair or tune up but I do NOT neglect the car.
my S70 has been very reliable in my opinion. my S60 never "broke down" on me or left me stranded, but it was in the shop mor eoften for little nuisance things related to the computers, sensors, etc.
both are good cars. the R is way more fun and has more performance potential and is by FAR a better handling car. but the S70 is goingto be way cheaper to buy mod and maintain.
if you got an S70, slapped on some pegs, did suspension, a chip, cat back, and just maintained it, you'd have close to 300hp in a car that weights HUNDREDS of pounds less than an R.
if you have the money, get the R.
test drive them and seew aht you like and then determine what your wallet will allow
Seems to me like a nice S60 T5 would be a good compromise. I think they're more reliable than some people around here give them credit for. Having had an S70T5M, a V70T5M, and also an S60 T5, I can definitely say the S60 is a very nice car. I really look forward to driving it, just like a did with my S70. If you're looking for a manual, try and find an S60 T5 with the spaceball shifter--I love those.
BTW, I paid less than $10k for my S60 T5--they have really come down in price lately.
BTW, I paid less than $10k for my S60 T5--they have really come down in price lately.
Joined
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45 Posts
Re: (23109VC)
yeah the wallet issue is a concern, and i take it your(caliwagon) refering to the 2k1 type S60 models that are under 10k? also here was the list of mods that are on the car as of present:
I'll just list the mods done to the car:
18t turbo upgrade with s60r exhaust manifold upgrade
3" stainless downpipe and 3" custom side exit exhaust
IPD ECU remap
rebuilt abs/tracs module
synthetic fluids used in the engine and trans
newer brakes with drilled and slotted rotors
stainless steel brake lines with DOT 5 fluid
17" wheels with relatively new tires'
The car is making somewhere around 300-320 hp.
yeah the wallet issue is a concern, and i take it your(caliwagon) refering to the 2k1 type S60 models that are under 10k? also here was the list of mods that are on the car as of present:
I'll just list the mods done to the car:
18t turbo upgrade with s60r exhaust manifold upgrade
3" stainless downpipe and 3" custom side exit exhaust
IPD ECU remap
rebuilt abs/tracs module
synthetic fluids used in the engine and trans
newer brakes with drilled and slotted rotors
stainless steel brake lines with DOT 5 fluid
17" wheels with relatively new tires'
The car is making somewhere around 300-320 hp.
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