what is the best used V70 & why??

what is the best v70 used units out there, and why?
as i cruise the auctions and used markets...looking for
a "newer used" volvo ...(newer than my 93 940) ... i see and
like the v70's and s80's...(size and room i guess)...w/up
to 5 folks in it at once...the s80 has nice room in the back..
does the v70 compair...passenger leg room w/the s80?..or, is
it more like the cramped s60?

how about the radio / sound system...i know the standard factory system
is decent...but, what was the upgrade called ? was it more power and
speakers?

how can one tell what system is in a used unit...my 2001 s80 i think
said "hu-xxx" as a radio code...and it was the standard factory unit...
help from the group always appreciated !!

 

Haven't been in an S80 yet (showroom aside). But me and two more friends
have fit, with a decent amount of comfort and space in the rear of another
friends 2001 V70.... Seems to have more room then my 960 does, legroom and
width-wise. I think the V70 is bigger then an S60... probably in between the
S60 and S80... Maybe as big as an S80 tho, not really sure... Tho I don't
find the S60 small, mainly because we also have 2 VW Golfs - if you want to
talk about a cramped back seat sit in one of them with two 6 foot tall
people up front, even smaller people have trouble getting comfortable.

 

Rob...i hear ya on the vw room....i need to start
sitting and looking at the v70's...i have ridden in
the back of the s80...it was superisingly (sp?)
roomy and nice...thanx for the info...

 

I found the V70 surprisingly more roomy then our 960 - which is the same
size as your 940, so I think you will find the V70 more then acceptable.

Now, you used to have an S80 didn't you? Why are you going to back to the
modern Volvo's, I thought you shunned them after your S80 experience?

 

The worst (least reliable) years for the V70 were '96-98
The best (most reliable) years for the V70 were '99-00

The 850, introduced for 1993, was offered as a four-door sedan or a
wagon. The standard five-cylinder engine was available with a
turbocharger, which improved acceleration dramatically. Handling was
predictable. Large, comfortable front seats only partly made up for the
stiff ride. In 1998, the sedan changed its name to S70 and the wagon
became the V70. From 1998, AWD versions were available and an
SUV-inspired XC (Cross Country) wagon. The S60 replaced the S70 for 2001.

 

thanx steve for the details...any opinions on the
2001-2003 v70's?...awd turbo's?...

 

They are all great cars. I had a '93 850 which I drove 180,000 miles
and then sold very easily. Now I have a '95 850 and a '01 XC70 AWD.
They have all been great. '01 was a big year for redesign of the V70
and I love my '01. I would recommend a '02 because of the improved
reliability record even though I haven't had any problems with my '01.

 

thanx everyone, that helps a lot...richard / colorado