Need encouragement to brand loyalty-

[Volvette]

Hello forum members, I am new to the site, the brand and to the repair shop frequency. I have a 2004 Xc70 and I have now spent more than I paid for the car 6 months ago and there is more to be done. It has 134,811 miles on the odometer. I bought the car under the “stereotype” that “it’s a Volvo”.. well-

**angle gear removal, made car front wheel drive.

**transmission (2) to the tune of $4,100 with Volvo learning at dealer. AWD again

**gear shifter total replacement

**passenger coil spring broke (never even heard of such)

**radiator replacement

**fan/temp sensor replacement

**both VVT solenoids replaces

**power steering reservoir replaced

**antenna key ring (immobilizer)

There are more but I can’t remember. This is my first car outside of the Nissan group. I left Nissan because my Infiniti Q45 was what I thought problematic; however looking back now, it was a great car. The Volvo dealerships have this attitude about them, almost cocky and argumentative. At least here they are, maybe it’s because the Volvo dealer looks like an afterthought addition to the Hyundai dealer..
At any rate, my question to all of you whom are welcomed to chime in with any wisdom, advice, or warnings, is after all this, is there more to come with these P2’s? Is this why I rarely see one on the road with me? I have been overcome with a strange love for the car, it’s look, feel, and just a general likeness of it. It seems to be a niche car as was my Q45, I’m afraid to keep it financially but don’t want to let it go. I have 3 year 36k mike warranty for part and labor on the tranny which is the only thing slowing me down from pulling into a car lot or internet and making a impulse decision. So here I am- is this going to be a continuous cycle?

[ljsommar1]

Unfortunately, YES it will continue. These cars are for the DIY crowd (or the deep pocketed), especially if you have AWD. They could put you in the poor house if you use the stealership.

But with the help given so freely here, one can do most, if not all of the maintenance required to keep these cars going at a small fraction of the cost.

[abscate]

You’ve got some good Volvo friends in TN , but a good independent who knows the brand can keep you on the road in d3cent cost of ownership. These cars go 300k if you care and feed them

[June]

You came from Nissan? Last year my father's best friend died when his one month old Nissan Altima was T-boned. Twice a Volvo has saved me from death or serious injury. A brand new 1998 S90 and a couple year old 2002 P2 S80 T6. The P2 does well in crashes. So one day that XC70 just might save yours or your loved one. What price can you put on that??? You have WIPPS to prevent whiplash, launch protection to protect your spine built into the seat tracks. Under your seat is the SIPPS bar to prevent you from getting crushed in your seat in a T-bone like Dr. White in that 2018 Altima. Just watch some YouTube crash videos and some on the road crashes involving Volvo cars and you will need no more encouraging! Note the P2 XC90 vs the Camaro head on. Everyone died in the Camaro the elderly woman stepped out of the Volvo with minimal injuries. June

[E Showell]

Ditto June. No car I'd rather be in in a crash. I walked away from a 75 mph highway crash with nary a scratch -- small seat belt bruise on collarbone, but otherwise no damage. Car was totalled of course, but I got a lift home from the tow truck driver. I maintained lane control throughout the accident.

[E Showell]

Radiator replacement is not uncommon for these at 15 years on. They are known to break coil springs -- I had one go in a parking garage. Power steering fluid reservoirs are also known to leak. I have not experienced the other problems you noted. You'll need a timing belt, etc. if it wasn't previously replaced since replacement is time or mileage based.

You'll be looking at replacing suspension components -- front lower control arms, outer tie rod ends, sway bar end links and ball joints around 150-180 K miles. My brother helped me with all that (prior owner had done the struts). The parts weren't cheap, but it rides like a new car.

You won't find more comfortable seats.

[cn90]

- Actually, all the items you mentioned have been replaced, so you are good for a while.

- Best is to spend time reading forum and be familiar with the problems. Get a pencil and paper to make note.

- As mentioned above, these cars go to 300K.

[June]

How much of the work has the dealer done? If you paid the dealer to replace the transmission it and all other mechanical repairs are warranty for life. I understand your dealer is crap, but you were not clear which jobs were dealer completed. You also have free tows to the dealer via Volvo roadside assistance. My 2004 S80 is only worked on by Volvo. I don't care what it costs. I would love to be able to do some of the work myself, but physically it's not practical.

I look at it as since 12/23/2003 I would have bought at least 5 more cars at $50,000+ each maybe got $20.000 trade apiece so that is $150,000 I have not spent. I have spent at least $50,000 over the cars 16 years and 194K by driving a car I love, saving $100,000. Cars are simply a bad investment, rather a necessity.

You bought a old car with milage. Expect to spend the money the likely miser previous owner neglected. The biggest thing is oil changes. The fact that both VVT solenoids needed replacement, the oil likely was not changed enough. You need to do the glove test to be sure the PCV system is not plugged up. Also your maintenance schedule in your glove compartment should be followed. Aftermarket parts are hit or miss. MVS users talk all the time about which are ok and which are not. June

[cn90]

OtOH,

Nissan, Honda have their own issues too.

When you look at the list above, only the trans replacement was an anomaly bc the trans in a 2.5T should be good too about 200K-250K or so.

Other items (coil spring, radiator, etc. etc.) are the same in any other cars at 135K miles...

So, yes buying a Honda or Nissan at 135K has their own issues.

The nice thing about Volvos is that: they have a "reputation of being finicky and expensive to repair", their book value is BELOW what it SHOULD BE (for a nice luxury vehicle, great orthopedic seat, name, safety etc.), so you get a lot of bang for your buck, as long as you are willing to wrench...

[ljsommar1]

I am the cheapest of cheapskates but I must agree with June. How do you put a price on safety?
When my wife and I (read wife) made the decision to get a new car we only looked at Volvos. We purchased 2020 V60 and love it.