We have a 1998 XC AWD which has not been the most reliable of vehicles.

With only 135,000 miles on it, it seems like we have replaced quite a few parts.

Am thinking of moving up to a 2002-04 AWD wagon, but wonder if the company has improved reliability on them. If not, we're going to start thinking Japanese.

Checking Consumers Report, it looks like the responders liked the 2003 wagon, but that might have been the first vehicle they did like.

Any opinions out there? Or links where I can go to?

Thanks.

 

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/index.php

 

I have a 1998 V70. My cars have been a 1979 Toyota Corolla, a 1989 Toyota Camry (#1 choice of car thieves for an 8-9 year stretch), a 1991 Toyota Tercel, my Volvo, a 2003 Toyota Avalon, and a recently purchased 2005 Toyota Avalon. I have never had a single problem with my Toyotas. The Corolla lasted 10 years and Camry lasted 14 years. I sold the Tercel after a year when we only needed a single car. The two Avalons are excellent cars. The Volvo, which my daughter drives, is still running. It has been dependable but experienced many problems unlike my Toyotas. My advice would be to buy a Toyota - they can't be beat and Volvos can't compare to them. When I bought my 1979 Corolla my dad looked down at my purchase. Then my sister bought one. He observed our experiences and since then has owned several Toyotas. Across three family members, no headaches, perfect reliability. When I was growing up, my dad owned Fords. I observed his experiences and decided early on to never buy American. Ford lost an entire generation of auto buyers back in the 60s and 70s. That's my two cents worth.

 

I would have to agree, if you are looking for rock solid reliability get a Toyota. I love my Volvo and would consider anything else but if I wanted something that is dependable get a toyota. New volvo's are not the same since ford.

 

Ford took Volvo out of the toilet. Volvo started losing market share and built suspect cars long before Ford came along.