We have a V50 and an S60 both cars are in good shape. We also have an older Subbie legacy wagon and an Outback wagon.

I've been searching for another V50 AWD to replace the S60 but today I burnt my arm again doing a trans fluid check. Darn engineers!!!! I'm starting to wonder if I want to go with another Volvo. The PCV isn't just a small valve to change out --- it is an entire expensive endeavor. The trans fluid dipstick really ticks me off --- I guess it is better than the cars that don't even have a dipstick.

Over the years I've done a lot of work on the Subbies and I can say that those cars are a lot easier to work on and one has over 350,000 on the engine and burns no oil, nor does it leave a puddle on the driveway.

I personally think the Volvo has a bit more style and luxury but since I am the guy to do the work, I am wondering about going for ease of work over style.

I may even stay in the 2004 area to stay away from any of the goofy updates the engineers may have created (such as no dipstick to check trans fluid).

Sigh.....going back to 1989 when I bough my 1964 P544 I've always had an eye for Volvos. For twenty years I had an eye for Jaguars and broke that addiction (tired of fix-it lists) so I could change my liking for the Volvo.

Darn I really burnt my arm!!!

 

Well I posted hoping that someone would give me good reason to stay with my hunt for a V50 but no response. Am I to take the no response to mean that going to the Subbie is a reasonable choice?

 

Up here in New England, Subarus are fairly popular and I'd consider that a reasonable choice if you like the amenities. That said, I have at least 3 friends who drive them (all to high miles) but 2 of 3 have had overheats/head gasket failures. Not to say that's a scientific survey but does give pause to consider maintenance and repairs on a boxer engine. All loved their cars too so that's a plus. Considering how Volvo lines up its chassis, the V50 is not an odd bird either but your trans fluid check raises that debate about lifetime fluids vs regular flushes (I'm in the camp of replacing tranny fluids every 100K even if its a drain/fill just because its a 7-10 year event for most cars similar to timing belts).

 

The trim package on Subbies tends to be more functional looking, like it is meant to be able to handle the rugged roads. I am not sure if the V50 AWD would like going off road as much as my Outback.

Yes depending on the year head gaskets need to be changed on those boxer engines. The 2.2 was bullet proof and a non-interference engine. But engineers had their way and went to a 4 cam 2.5 (interference) for a while and I didn't like that engine. I put a 2.2 into the outback that had a 2.5. Then they went from the 2.5 four cam to the 2.5 two cam (interference). No experience with it the 2.5 two cam. But you are correct and I had forgotten about the head gaskets but doing them isn't very difficult. Ha! My son and I lifted a 2.5 engine in and out of the cargo area of the Outback.

I do not believe in lifetime fluids. When I owned my Jag. we who changed out the trans fluid on a maintenance basis never had any trans problems. It was the people who didn't change the fluids that had problems.

Perhaps they mean the lifetime of the car. So up until the trans blows up it is fine and then the $4,500 invoice means the life of the car is over. Perhaps it is to give a mythical feeling that a car is maintenance free.