Spoke to a retired couple with a XC60 yesterday...

[matthew1]

They were about 70, German accents. The XC60 was a 2024 or 2025 B5 with air suspension. They love it because he had hip surgery, and getting in/out is easier when it lowers.

This, she told me, is their seventh Volvo.

"What was the first?" I asked, almost talking over her because I was so excited to know.

I expected them to say something like a 1983 244. But she said their first was a 2005 S40. Life is full of Surprises.

They're on an unending tear of a new Volvo every three years, for twenty years.

Today, reflecting on that, I can't help but think this is the type of person you want to buy a Volvo from. Exactly the type. Never raced, dealer maintained, brand loyal. Probably engine deposits because of not racing, but on balance I'd take this condition over whatever racing brings.

[volvolugnut]

Great story!

I work one afternoon a week at a steam locomotive museum. The best days are when people visit and tell their stories.
volvolugnut

[scot850]

Yesterday, the husband of an older couple (he is 82) dropped by. He wanted to ask my help and advice on what to do with his much loved 98 Toyota Camry. Only 110k miles on it, and owned from new. He has had it serviced or done work on it himself. He and his wife have newer Volvos and he has decided to sell the Toyota, but how should he go about it. I gave the car a quick look over and other than typical crusty areas on the bottom of the front fenders and a few other blisters not terrible. So I gave him tips on how to advertise it and list the issues as a mechanics special. People love Camrys and this one has plenty left to give. Used prices here are nuts so anything that runs has value.

He was happy, and as he works (yes he still works in IT teaching at the U of Calgary!!) in IT he is comfortable to tackle that. He knows he can ask for any help if he needs it but I don't expect to hear from him as he is fiercely independent.

While he was talking to me, he said he wanted to thank me for recommending the 'other' Volvo dealer at Royal Oak in Calgary to his wife. He had taken his car there for some work and was hugely impressed by all the staff he interacted with, the beautiful showroom and facilities and that he had somewhere he could work with his laptop while waiting. He said it had been a long time since he had had such an experience at any dealer. He asked me to thank them next time I was in contact. I dropped the Service/Parts manager a email and he not only remembered my neighbor and his name but was amazed he was still working!

So, like I say, not all dealers are bad, but I know that is not what many have found. Oh, and since opening, they have become the #1 Volvo dealer in Customer satisfaction after only being open for 3 years.

Neil

[abscate]

Great story!

I work one afternoon a week at a steam locomotive museum. The best days are when people visit and tell their stories.
volvolugnut

I’ll bet that job is tough, working in that high pressure career.

[850 LPT]

Great story!

I work one afternoon a week at a steam locomotive museum. The best days are when people visit and tell their stories.
volvolugnut

I’ll bet that job is tough, working in that high pressure career.

I have seen him do it while we were there. And man, the pressure

[volvolugnut]

Great story!

I work one afternoon a week at a steam locomotive museum. The best days are when people visit and tell their stories.
volvolugnut

I’ll bet that job is tough, working in that high pressure career.

I have seen him do it while we were there. And man, the pressure

Yeah. Full head of steam is 165 PSI.
volvolugnutr

[abscate]

No doubt the weekends are for relaxing…. And…..