Time to move on...

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 09 Apr 2010, 08:51

I have owned: 142, P1800, 240, 740,760,850, S40.... It's time to replace the 1995 850 wagon. Too many miles, the A/C is not working, the heater has a horrible anti-freeze smell (even after I replaced the core and cannot find any leaks)...
The wife wants a pre-owned S60...says it has the right amount of luxury and likes the handling.
ME: Premium fuel, not great mpg, reliablity issues... I just can't get into the newer model Volvos. I am looking towards Subaru, Toy or Honda... It doesn't make me happy, just feel that it's the smart thing to do.
Wanna try to talk me out of it?

Post by **jblackburn** » 09 Apr 2010, 08:58

Nope, I completely agree with you. I'm going to hang onto mine, but it is the last of the Volvo line that I like. The new(er) Volvo's are simply too complicated to work on yourself, and nearly everything requires a dealer visit for re-programming, etc. My next car will be either a VW or a Honda. I couldn't get into Subarus in the few that I test drove, and Toyotas are just boring to drive. Pre-owned Accords (EX-L models) or Acura TL's are very good pre-owned cars. My mom owns an Accord, and my girlfriends mom has a TL, both have had them 3 years and not a single problem with either.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 09 Apr 2010, 09:05

AlanS wrote:
Wanna try to talk me out of it?

Nope. I bought a Toyota Prius to replace my S80.

Post by **JDS60R** » 09 Apr 2010, 10:26

Sorry to break the chain but I love the new Volvo's. I think a few of the lubricants they use were not up to the job so I replaced them. Other than that it has been fantastic. They run the same 5 cylinder that was in the 850 with a new generation transmssion. PPC makes a reader that can pull all of the codes from all of the modules and thats about all you need.

It is by far the best handling car I have ever owned and fuel economy is great as well for an AWD. I bought it for great handling, High horsepower and Fantastic brakes. I get slighlty less mileage than my fiends 2002 S60 NA on the highway but its worth it to me. He can get 30 mpg on the highway. My R gets about 28mpg.

I don't think you should give up on used Volvo's just yet - but thats up to you.

Joe Hurless · Post by **Joe Hurless** » 09 Apr 2010, 19:25

Get an xc70... They haven't changed too dramatically since the v70 and they are fantastic cars.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 10 Apr 2010, 09:30

Hello, The trouble with threads like this is "everybody's right". FYI: The very affordable PPC diagnostic tool from BSR is no longer being made. Friends over there called them and they said they'll be coming out with a new model soon. I assume you'll never see one of the originals on EBAY. Even if you use it once a year, it pays to keep it. AlanS might not need AWD. But then, who makes a wagon which isn't an oversized crossover? I can't wait for less fancy, less pretentious cars from which to choose. The bigwigs in the car industry always go the wrong way. Kira

Post by **wheelsup** » 10 Apr 2010, 10:29

One option I'm looking at is buying a much older, simpler car and redoing it. I don't like all the fancy electronics either. Problem with those is they lack the ability to tell you what is wrong, and societies viewpoint on those is negative. Which to the wife is kinda important in her job (marketing). I like the mid-90's computers that tell you a general idea of what is wrong but don't require any crazy and expensive code readers and software to pull/reset the codes for the DIY guy.

Honda Toyota or Subaru (for the AWD if needed) is a good bet if buying new or even the newer generation. For me spending over $4k or $5k on a "new" car is about the limit I will go to though.

FWIW I drove a late 90's or early 2000's Camry a few years ago and was completely put off. Reliable maybe but holy heck how boring it was. Life's too short to drive a boring car. And everytime I get in a Honda I think "this is cheap". My parents had several Volvos and switched to Subarus due to the AWD living in NH. The newer ones are a lot better but they still seem cheaper.

I don't know about the newer American cars, if they are still simple or not, but GM did just put out a press release stating they were adding a "backup" smart brake pedal to their cars. Just something else to break, I guess the e-brake isn't enough these days!!

Post by **wheelsup** » 10 Apr 2010, 10:40

Ingvar Kamprad - Ikea founder

Ingvar Kamprad

Despite having made billions selling inexpensive Swedish furniture and home goods, Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad still owns a Volvo 240 GL that's more than 14 years old. “Billionaires often drive vehicles reflective of their style, not their level of wealth,” says Rod Westmoreland, a Merrill Lynch private wealth advisor. Kamprad’s affinity for cheap but chic Swedish design makes the Volvo 240 GL a fitting choice. In his 1976 book, A Furniture Dealer’s Testament, Kamprad writes, “Ikea people do not drive flashy cars or stay at luxury hotels.” Billionaire Kamprad still abides by those values: He takes the bus, flies economy class and drives a 1993 Volvo 240 GL. “Europeans tend to be much more low-key about their wealth than Americans," says the Luxury Institute's Milton Pedraza.

I shop at Ikea too...

I found a video on youtube of a volvo meet and greet driving to an ikea, I thought that was pretty funny!

I don't know if you guys have seen the taxes, registration fees, and lost income due to purchasing a new car these days but the amount of money is staggering. I pay $40/year to register my car, people who have newer cars are paying 10x that amount year in and year out. Buying a new car, even a middle of the road $20k one, is still enough to choke on when writing that check. Everytime I want a new car I think about what else $20k will buy me.

FWIW my dad has an Acura TL that has had 3 trannies on it, over 120k miles...

commlend · Post by **commlend** » 10 Apr 2010, 15:44

Subaru, yota, honda etc are quality vehicles, but so are American vehicles. Imports are over-rated imo. I'm not comparing a $15k cobalt to a $30k accord...

robby1544 · Post by **robby1544** » 12 Apr 2010, 15:55

Hello all,

I'm currently considering buy a used Volvo wagon. I've been reading up on them within the website and would like to comment on the topic. My wife and I are expecting toward the end of the year and we are sick to death of having two sports cars. the small space, rough ride and worn out interior of our 02 Toyota Celica and 92 vw Corrado are really starting to wear us down; especially on long trips.

My first thought was to buy a comfortable, fuel efficient wagon. The 2004 VW passat TDI actually fits this quite nicely except for the dual climate control. with the space, gas mileage of 33-43, and comfortable drive and easy to work on it seems like the best deal considering I've owned vw's all my life, and have been working on them since I've learned how to drive. the problem with the passat is that the specific engine BHW suffers from a serious balance shaft failure that leads to complete oil pressure loss and thus catastrophic engine failure:(. Other countries with this engine have recalled it to fix it, but the USA VW has not. the cost to fix this and other parts is around 3k. I would still buy one and do the job myself if I could find one 3k cheaper. For some reason no one wants to acknowledge this fact and lower the price... And thus, I move to the best gas version passat. But their prices and gas mileage linger around that of a used 04 volvo, or 01-02 MB wagon E320. Both which offer dual climate, a nicer ride, and more passenger space.

The problem with the MB with me is that I don't need to try to show off the prestige of the MB. They are great cars, but I feel that everyone around me would think of me differently if I owned one. The volvo on the other hand, seems quite different. It may show some prestige, but it also emanates safety. I like that for an excuse for the comfort and ease. It also has more rear leg room (2.1 inches) and offers the same rear back seat and can be bought at the same price for 2-3 years newer.

So I've been looking at Volvos. I like the fact that there is dual climate control. Every time I drive with my wife, either she or I feels uncomfortable, especially now since she is pregnant. I also like the fact that some have the option for 7 passenger b/c it competes more with a minivan. Since the gas mileage is now close to the region of a minivan which easily seats 7, it makes the wagon buy more justifiable. Honestly, if the wife was more comfortable with a van, it would make more sense to buy a van that got 20-25 mpg then a wagon that got 20-28. Think of all the added space and ease of entering and exiting the van vice the wagon. Plus when driving a wagon or sedan when it is raining, all that spray from the car in front of you gets splashed on the windshield, but a van is higher up and is less affected. The van’s height also makes driving easier b/c it gives the driver more viewing angles and the ability to see more over a hill. But the wife dislikes the van and says she's just not ready for one. So we become forced into finding a good used 04 Volvo wagon. I have to admit, I also want a wagon simply b/c it is easier to put my ocean gear (kayak, surf board, wind surfer etc.)on top of then a van. I guess the order of precedence goes :
1: dual climate
2: good seats with adjustable lumbar
3: space for rear passengers and possibly 3rd row
4:gas mileage
5: comfortable drive
6: roof rack
7: safety and reliability

I post this topic in this discussion b/c I notice it may have some people who are not so partial to Volvo’s. Which is why that I ask for an unbiased opinion to see if this car company is the right one to veer into. Does anyone know of a better comfort to gas mileage wagon that is offered around the same price? I am looking to spend no more then 9-10k Thank you.

~Robert

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