Item: Used Volvo C70 Coupe 1997 - 2002
Rating: 3
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

Sophisticated and stylish, the original Volvo C70 was a mould-breaker for the firm

Used Volvo C70 Coupe 1997 - 2002

The C70's fuel economy is reasonable no matter which engine you opt for. The 2.0T, T5 and 2.4T all hover just below the 30mpg mark.

Insurance may seem pricey, but when you take into account the performance available and the original cost of the car it's not that bad. All models are in groups 31 to 35.

You shouldn't have too much to pay for unscheduled work, because the C70's underpinnings come from the old S70 saloon, which has a reputation for reliability. And, further good news comes with the news that Volvo dealers have reasonable rates for routine maintenance, which is just as well as the C70 needs to visit them every 10,000 miles. We'd recommend an independent specialist, though, which could save you money.

One other thing you'll need to budget for on turbocharged versions of the C70 is tyres - drive with a heavy right foot and you'll get through a front pair within 10,000 miles.

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Sophisticated and stylish, the original Volvo C70 was a mould-breaker for the firm

There's a wide variety of petrol engines to choose from, but originally the C70 only came in one flavour: a 2.3-litre T5 with 240bhp. As the car matured, a 2.0-litre turbo, 2.4-litre, 2.4 Turbo, a 2.5-litre 20v and a 2.5 Turbo were introduced. All produced different power outputs, but none could match the original T5's.

Overall, though, the best engine is the 193bhp 2.4-litre Turbo. It has enough performance to entertain a driver, but you'll spend less time at the petrol station and avoid the massive insurance premiums of the bigger engines.

Also, because the five-speed manual gearbox doesn't like to be rushed, consider an automatic for relaxed cruising, particularly the five-speed version introduced after '99.

As you might expect of a Volvo, every C70 came with lots of goodies as standard. Later on, a GT option was added, with a leather-trimmed sports steering wheel, stereo upgrade, stability control and sunroof; it's worth tracking down.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.

Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.

For a blend of rock-solid resale values, punchy engines and an interior to die for, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/tt/coupe/review/n12">Audi TT</a> is a brilliant option. But the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/hatchback/review/n17260">BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cla/coupe/review/n19245">Mercedes CLA</a> both offer plenty of style and substance to match, while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/dbs/coupe/review/n18289">Aston Martin DBS Superleggera</a> will give you serious performance.

The C70 shouldn't let you down as long as it's been properly maintained. So have a look at the service history to make sure no intervals have been missed. The turbos are reliable but have to work hard, and if an oil change has been skipped it could spell trouble.

Check the wheels and tyres, too. The bigger the turbo, the bigger the car's hunger for rubber, so see how much life is left on them. Worse still, if the wear is uneven or irregular there could be problems with the front suspension or driveshafts.

If the front footwells are damp (feel the carpets) you might have the C70's trademark door mirror leak. It doesn't affect every car, but is notoriously difficult to fix.

Finally, there were a couple of recalls on the C70, both of which concern the airbags and Side Impact Protection System. So, check that any necessary work has been done. Any Volvo dealer will be able to look up your car's recall work.

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In 1997, when the C70 arrived, Volvo wasn't known for its design appeal, but the Coupe had more than a hand in changing that. With its chiselled good looks, it attracted buyers to the brand who previously wouldn't even have considered buying a Volvo.

And despite being introduced all those years ago, the C70 has aged fairly well and the design and materials used still feel fairly modern. Above all, it's still a Volvo through and through. The company's famous build quality and refinement are present and, of course, you get a host of safety features as standard.

Despite all appearances to the contrary, though, this is a cruising coupe, not a sports car. Even when it was launched it wasn't that exciting to drive and by today's standards it certainly has been superseded. The ride is smooth enough, but the more powerful engines soon expose the chassis' limitations of grip and handling.

On the other hand, there are certainly no probems with the amount of space inside - or in the boot for those weekends away.

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Used Volvo C70 Coupe 1997 - 2002 review

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What to look for when buying a Volvo C70 1997 - 2002, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

The C70 shouldn't let you down as long as it's been properly maintained. So have a look at the service history to make sure no intervals have been missed. The turbos are reliable but have to work hard, and if an oil change has been skipped it could spell trouble.,Check the wheels and tyres, too. The bigger the turbo, the bigger the car's hunger for rubber, so see how much life is left on them. Worse still, if the wear is uneven or irregular there could be problems with the front suspension or driveshafts.,If the front footwells are damp (feel the carpets) you might have the C70's trademark door mirror leak. It doesn't affect every car, but is notoriously difficult to fix.Finally, there were a couple of recalls on the C70, both of which concern the airbags and Side Impact Protection System. So, check that any necessary work has been done. Any Volvo dealer will be able to look up your car's recall work. 

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Used Volvo C70 Coupe 1997 - 2002 review

Volvo C70 2.0T 2dr

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