TTAC Reader AMA: 2004 Volvo V70R Wagon

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

This week’s AMA features user AlfaRomasochist and his 2004 Volvo V70R wagon.

AR writes

First of all, my user name is AlfaRomasochist which tells you a lot about me right there. I’ve owned at least one Alfa at any given time for the last decade plus, everything from a 1960 Giulietta Spider to a 1987 Spider Quad. I’ve also owned a few fun BMWs, Mazdas, and Datsun Z-cars over the years. With a wife and 4 kids under 12 – including one with special needs – I decided it was time to spend a little less time in the garage. I put the last Alfa up for sale ( http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-alfa-romeo-berlina/ ) and started looking for something for a manual V70R. The Volvo appealed to me because it would work year round in Denver, fit the whole crew to keep the miles off my wife’s leased CX-9, and still have the potential for a HPDE now and then. Plus there are lots of good independent Volvo shops in town. I found the car on Swedespeed after missing out on a number of cars with lower miles. I decided to pull the trigger mostly due to the remarkably good cosmetic condition considering the miles, plus it already had the 3rd row and integrated booster seats.
Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Sjalabais Sjalabais on Oct 07, 2014

    I had a chance to test the then-new V70R at a Volvo safety training on snow here in Norway in 2004*. It blew my mind! Never having had the chance to compare it to its German competition, it might be the best car I've ever piloted. I know of the issues, but for an Alfa guy a reasonably reliable car should be a perfect choice. The reasoning you give for selling the Alfa is something I can relate to, even though I overshot a bit and equipped the family with a Camry and a Honda 7-seater...looking forward to having both time and money for a fun car in the future. GLWS, Jason! *what do you know...ten year old pictures still online with obscure URL. The 242 was my ride, the S40 was all-new - one of the very first production models: http://home.arcor.de/ungua/hemsedal/FrameSet.htm

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    • Sjalabais Sjalabais on Oct 08, 2014

      @Zykotec Haha, holy kringels! Is this England? Mine was a basic B19, too. But...it was enough, really, at least in slow-moving, twisty Norway. The seats are something I still miss, too. Had a 19 hour drive home for Christmas after a 10 hour work shift. No back pain.

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Oct 07, 2014

    Isn't 2004 a scary Volvo time if you're talking auto trannys?

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    • VtecJustKickedInYo VtecJustKickedInYo on Oct 07, 2014

      @salhany yea, I think you are right, that was just from the regular V70, I am sure the R had something different. But dat spaceball though

  • Rpn453 Rpn453 on Oct 07, 2014

    Do you enjoy winter driving? How do you like the winter performance of the AWD system? My buddy was cons*dering one of these to replace a Legacy GT sedan, in order to improve cargo capacity. I figured that the FWD-biased Haldex AWD system wouldn’t suit his s*deways driving style. Are you into that sort of thing at all? If so, how does it perform in that regard? Another buddy recently bought a wrecked VW R32 with Haldex AWD that he plans on putting back on the road someday. When I brought up that issue he said that he’ll buy a controller and set it at full-time 50/50. So maybe that would be enough to eliminate any possible shortcomings.

  • Mrb00st Mrb00st on Oct 08, 2014

    It's funny that you view the V70R as being a "practical" purchase (AWD, seating for 7, not an old Alfa Romeo) - I think of the P2 V70R as being one of the all-around coolest cars of the 2000's. Especially in certain color combos! I think part of the appeal is it's still useable, but it's certainly exotic in specification and (I think) the way it drives. Gets me excited like no other fast wagon (Legacy GT, B5/B6/B7 S4 Avant, etc) does. Keep it forever.

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