Would an S80 fit the bill? I believe it would be cheaper than the V70 and more likely to have been cossetted.

My sister bought a 51-plate 2.4 petrol 170bhp auto a couple of years back, in superb condition (previous owner was a private car firm so it had been looked after). It's needed nothing but routine maintenance.

It isn't quick or economical, it just wafts around quite serenely.

Hi and I would appreciate your advice! I am looking at buying a V70, probably one of the last of the Mark 1s, 1999 or 2000. This would be a budget taxi for the growing brood, but I still enjoy driving and have a special love of Volvos, having lived in Sweden. My thoughts are to look for:

Classic 2.4 petrol, 170bhp, automatic, maybe with the 7 seat option, with as much fsh and as low mileage as I can find, then to keep it going ... forever!

Some questions which you may be able to help me with please:
1. When was the Classic available?
2. In which colours?
3. Is there a real difference between the 140 and 170bhp, in performance and maintenance?
4. I have a loathing of Dual Mass Flywheels, assume this is limited to the diesel and manual models?
5. What should I be very careful about? I appreciate that these cars are now 15 years old, but I have seen some with close to 300k miles and afte all they are Swedish! :-)
6. Is there another Mark 1 edition I should look at?
7. Should I forget this and go for an early Mark 2? :-(
If so, which one?

Many thanks and keep up the good work.

From around '99 onwards the Phase 1's came with an ETM (Electronic Throttle Module) that wears out and becomes faulty. It's an expensive fix and I think that the replacement needs coding to the car at a Volvo dealer. Cars up to around '98 had a good old cable.

All the manuals including petrol have dual mass flywheels, but they should last the life of the car on the petrol models.

The auto box on the phase 1's is more durable than the geartronic on the phase 2 V70's.

The early phase 2's suffered from weak electrics - they were better from around 2004 onwards.

Probably the best V70 on a low budget would be a normally aspirated phase 1 up to '98. Either 140 or 170 2.5. The 2.0 140 is supposed to be pretty gutless with auto. But given regular maintenance the engines should last a long time - they are very tough.

They (phase 1's along with the older 850) can also suffer from a leaking heater matrix - this a dashboard out job to fix.

Look at some of the Volvo forums - they should give you all the info you need.