Volvo questions

RW · Post by RW » 27 Oct 2003, 10:58

I'm currently considering the purchase of '01 S40 for my wife at $15,000. Aside from safety, I know little more about the pros/cons of a Volvo.

High/frequent maintenance?
Limited choice of knowledgeable mechanics?
Rapid mechanical deterioration?
Pricey oil changes (as with most for most foreigns)
Any additional warnings?

Post by **matthew1** » 27 Oct 2003, 13:08

It's not a rolling breakdown, but it's no Honda either.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... =2337#2337
... and replace all instances of the word '850' with 'S40' and you're getting the idea.

I'd get a used car warranty, then you don't have to worry about repairs. You'll have the best of all worlds -- repairs paid for (if necessary); power; styling; extreme safety; even economy.

camper guy · Post by **camper guy** » 30 Oct 2003, 12:17

I've had a Volvo in the past and just bought another one. I've also had a Subaru, Saab, Honda, Ford, Chevy.......The Volvo is the first car in almost 30 years of driving that I have liked enough to buy a second one. The Volvo wasn't any more expenisve to repair than the Subaru or the Saab. Maybe I've just been lucky.

Seems like when somthing goes it goes big. I used to Joke that my Volvo was a $200 car, everything that needed to be fixed cost at a minimum of $200 or in multiples of $200 but it was few and far between.

I don't think they break any more often than any other car. I found a guy that works on just Volvo's at 1/2 the price of the dealer, he used to be a manager at a local dealership. With my last one, he would find used parts and offer me those as an alternative to save money and I trusted him. Do my own oil changes so can't answer that.