We have bought xc70 at the end of 2005 (the model is classified as 2006).
It has 140k miles (225k km). The car was driven with care and has been well maintained (synthetic oil, regular check-ups, transmission flush, timing belt etc.).

It seems like over past year things stared breaking really bad. AC condenser is not working anymore. The auxiliary cooling fan broke (or its controlling unit, so it would work non-stop) and volvo told us we need new upper strut mounts and tie rods. I am not impressed with the quality in general. Earlier, the whole ignition switch broke, axle shafts had to be replaced around 120km, radiator and few other things as well. That's not what volvo was supposed to deliver. Anyway, I would not mind fixing it if I can keep driving for another 4 - 5 years without having to spend thousands each year. My wife opts to trade-in and get something new.

I wonder if anyone can advise what is the best way. Does it make sense to fix it or just drop the ball and buy new car ?

Thanks a lot,
Mark.

 

You already have done 200k+ km without much troubles, that is already impressing. From now on, several parts will need replaced. The matter is, having it repaired at Volvo dealer at this point will prove extremely expensive in the future. At these miles, a good choice is to find a garage that can fix it for much less than what the dealer is asking, or sale it.

Post 2000 Volvos are not as durable as the older ones, except for the engine itself.

P.S. it's usually a smart idea to go with what wife suggests , just be aware that latest Volvos have tricky electrical issues. The one that feels a little better built is the XC60.

 

In this case cut your losses. Speaking from experience, once the wife isn't happy with the car anymore the days are numbered. It really doesn't even come down to economics at that point. Spending a couple grand a year is still far less expensive than a new car, but reliability, convenience, and a happy wife are worth something!

 

I really appreciate your posts. You are surely volvo experts and have life wisdom as well. You are right that "wife not happy with the car" means car's days are counted no matter what. It is really about lack of confidence. Nobody appreciates that, but ladies hate driving and thinking their car may break in the middle of the highway.

As to new car, I love the design of new XCs and their 3.2/V6 engines. I doubt however that my wife will be willing to take another chance on Volvo. So, we will be off to the market...
The funny twist of life is that there is somebody out there who is in the same situation but drives another brand. The chances are high that somebody is to replace me in Volvo's stable

Cheers!

 

Our first Volvo was a 1970 yellow 2-door 140. We loved tha car.
We have also owned BMW, Audi, Mercedes, as well as several American- Manufactured (a vanishing breed) cars.
Currently, we are driving our Volvo # 6; a 2007 XC70.
It has abouth 58,000 miles on it.
Some points, if I may:
1.- Based on experience with our previous 5 Volvos, much as we used to love the brand, we know that maintenance and repairs will become completely unnaffordable and overpriced.
2.- Volvo of today is not the Volvo of years ago. The corporate culture has changed, and not for the better. It went down the drain when Volvo Cars was bought by Ford, and it started down the typical U.S. corporate mindset of cost-cutting and profit maximization at any cost. (We know, we live in California)
3.- Ford damaged the Volvo culture at Goteborg, Sweden. And the brand lost ground and market.
4.- Even with the new Chinese ownership (which ironiaclley, is actually trying to grow the company and move it up market!) the Ford corporfate culture still resides among the Swedes in Goteborg.
5.- So product development and improvement seems to have lost direction.
6.- Our model, XC70, is not even mentioned in current advertising in the U.S.
7.- The new 2014 XC70 (Although TV ads say "We are Volvo of Sweden") has, evidently an i-6 engine made in the UK,(With no direct injection) and a transmission (only 6-speed) made in Japan!
AND, in the future, Volvos mid-size, all will be powered by 4-cylinder engines with electrical or kinetic boost. Besides these being unproven systems, they will render current 5 and 6 cylinder Volvos instantly obsolete. No concern for current Volvo owners.

8.- I wrote to the CEO of Volvo in Sweden and all his direct reports, ennumerating all these issues.
9.- It took sveral months to get a rseponse; and it came from New Jersey, signed by some admin, and it was obviously a form letter: They sdreesed me at the top with my last name, and in the body of the letter they "addressed me" with somebody else's last name!
Yes, the Ford corporate mindset is alive and swell in Goteborg.
May I sugget, take your wife's advice.