My Car#

I bought the car at the end of 2013, and it has been good to me ever since. It’s a 2002 Volvo V70 II D5 with a 2.5‑liter diesel engine producing (or once producing) 163 hp. In everyday driving, it consumes about 6 l/100 km in summer and 7 l/100 km in winter — though this varies quite a bit.
Back in my student days, when I was studying 500 km away from home, I once managed 1,400 km on a single tank, translating to an impressive 5 l/100 km. When I bought it, the odometer showed around 150,000 km. That means an average of about 12,500 km per year since.

The Good#

For many reasons, the car is a keeper. Despite its size and age, it’s still remarkably economical. It swallows everything I throw at it — including my mountain bike — without having to remove a single wheel.
Other than the usual maintenance, it has required no major repairs. With roughly 160 hp, acceleration feels solid, and the 2.5‑liter engine makes highway driving relaxed. You can technically go from 30 km/h all the way to 210 km/h in fifth gear — given enough patience.
Roof rails allow for all sorts of attachments, though I haven’t experimented beyond a few ski trips. The tow hitch has proven handy more than once. The cruise control works like a charm, the AC still blasts icy air, and the auxiliary heater has saved me from many cold mornings.
Most of my apartments didn’t have a garage, so the Volvo often stood outside. The seats — after 23 years — remain as comfortable as ever.

The Bad#

No car this old is perfect. The auxiliary heater, for example, relies on a timer. If you forget to set it or leave at unpredictable times, you either drive off in a cold car or walk out early to start it manually.
There’s also a safety feature that disables the heater permanently if it fails to warm up properly three times in a row. Only a Volvo workshop can reset it.

Then there’s the entertainment system. Mine came with a cassette player that can even skip tracks, but not the optional CD changer. I went through the usual experiments — starting with FM transmitters — before finally installing a Bluetooth module that emulates a CD changer and integrates with the stock radio. It works fine, but it lacks conveniences like autoplay and track selection. In short, it’s good but not elegant.

Rear-seat safety is another issue. Isofix wasn’t standard back then, so families had to make do without it. Retrofits are possible but hard to find and expensive.
And finally, perhaps the car’s biggest weakness: the headlights. Even with high beam, visibility is mediocre. More than once, the car behind me has provided better road illumination than my own lights.

The Memories#

After twelve years together, the Volvo carries a lot of memories. Countless road trips through Croatia, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, and of course plenty of drives across Austria.
The best part isn’t just the destinations, but the journeys themselves — the long talks, the quiet moments, the feeling of starting your holiday as soon as you leave the driveway.

One small story stands out: the original battery lasted 18 years. When it finally gave up, I almost felt like it deserved a proper farewell.

Final Thoughts#

The Volvo V70 has been a loyal companion — practical, efficient, and surprisingly comfortable after all these years.
Rust is beginning to appear here and there, but nothing critical yet. I hope it stays on the road a while longer. After 300,000 km together, it feels less like an old car and more like an old friend.