Just wanted to let everyone who is interested in buying a volvo to contact me first. The car is a poorly made and service on them is horrible.

 

Sorry to hear of your bad luck. But as you may have noticed, this forum is for Volvo "enthusiasts". No car is perfect. <edited><editID>roning</editID><editDate>37938.6155324074</editDate></edited>

 

Don't dis volvo!

 

what type of volvo did you purchase?

 

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Hummm... what Volvo did you get? If an S40 I can understand... other than that all of the rest are well built.</P>


In over 10 years of Volvo ownership I have never had a complaint on the service we get from Volvo. It has been great. This is coming from a guy that did not care for Volvos... something I got from my Father In-Law... he has been a Volvo freak all his life (1800, couple of 240s, 740, 850, S70T5, and most recently a 2004 V70) <IMG src=smileys/smiley16.gif border="0"></P>

 

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I have an S40, and I could not possibly hate it more. Car is positively terrible.</P>

 

<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">New member here – currently own two Volvo’s and must admit I HATE my S60.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Service has been great experience and quality seems good (not great).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No reliability problems to report in 16K miles.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But, problem is that it is nothing like the S70 it replaced! <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN>More focus seems to be on how it looks then anything else.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The cut in size from the S70 combined with gawd-awful design of backseat area makes this feel and function more like a coupe.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Admittedly some people may like this, but I feel this design no longer represents Volvo.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Traction stinks – well let’s say this is a throw back to when comments like “oh, you wanted tires to go along with that car?” were appropriate.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sad for how much you pay for one of these cars.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o></SPAN></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o></o></SPAN></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">I have had a couple of 850’s as loaner cars during servicing and they FEEL more solid and structurally sound, albeit somewhat less nimble.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Driving the S60, I feel like it is a step backwards.<o></o></SPAN></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o></o></SPAN></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">And my first experience of looking at getting rid of a young, low mileage Volvo – holy smokes, depreciation is frightening.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Looks like the market is confirming the shortcomings as a poor value since it seems there is little demand out there.<o></o></SPAN></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o></o></SPAN></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Don’t know if I will consider another Volvo again after this experience – jury is still out but I am really soured.<o></o></SPAN></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o></o></SPAN></P>
<P class=Msonormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">So, how about that for a first post?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Anyway, hello all.<o></o></SPAN></P>


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For an Example.....New moonroof $558.....Evap Purge Shutoff Valve $238.00...Oil dampness on thewindow side of engine top gasket...No clue but it will cost me an arm and a leg...Brakes (front)third set of Discs both sidessince I bought the car...about a $Grand...<IMG onclick="AddSmileyIcon'smileys/smiley19.gif'" alt=Cry src=smileys/smiley19.gif border="0"> But I LOVE THIS CAR...<IMG onclick="AddSmileyIcon'smileys/smiley4.gif'" alt="Big smile" src=smileys/smiley4.gif border="0">For a Grocery getter it Rippps...But its time has come....Looks like a SUV will be its replacement...Great Car just Quirky....</P>

 

Try buying a Focus RS, that will put you off for life m8, have now ordered a C70 soft top, when i test drove 1 last Saturday, i couldn`t belive what i have been missing for the last 15 years of Ford ownership, i know Ford now own Volvo but my was i inpressed &amp; the Ford workers discount did come in handy, got £6000 off the new price!!!

 

for those of you out there putting volvo down, look at how long they can go for. let me specify though so you cant argue against me as well. volvos prior to ford buying them out are great cars. when volvo was purely european, the quality and durability was far greater han it is now. most new volvos, as nice as they are, are known for problems. if you want a true blue volvo, go with the original swedish meatball. accept no substitute.

 

pilotsims.......i couldnt agree with you more. i have a 94 volvo 850...six major wrecks (none of them mine).....SIX WRECKS.....and shes still running strong. Im gonna get my engine rebuilt and do a few body mods....if i find the time/money. but im hoping to keep this car for a long time........i couldnt love it any more

 

<IMG src=smileys/smiley19.gif border="0">It is sad that some people are not happy with ther volvos. I notice that the majority of the contributers to this site are from the U&gt;S&gt;A and CANADA. Well hello from good old England.I have a 240 estate 1992 .and I have nothing but praise for it. Over here the car I drive is very much looked upon as an old mans car. Safe , trusty, even boring , and I am at the butt of many a joke because of my choice of car. I am only 40 years old but I know my car will out last most of my friends cars. <IMG src=smileys/smiley4.gif border="0">I think my car is great and my family love it . So if owning a 240 means being an old man ,I will go and get my pipe and slippers immediately. Best wishes to one and all ..Paul Crowley</P>


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hi i'm new here but i was just wondering if you knew what year ford bought volvo...just for a reference point<IMG src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0">

 

New member here--former Chrylser/Plymouth/ DeSoto driver only...after buyingour 1986 240 DL (named Sylvia) two years ago, I won't go back to anything else. Sure, it has it's moods and eccentricities, but what the heck! It runs great on my daily 125 mile round trip at 24 mpg. It's not as easy to fix as the other cars I've had, I will admit. We love it. <edited><editID>sylviasboys</editID><editDate>38144.9269212963</editDate></edited>

 

&gt; Not to complain but:
&gt;
&gt; i bought a 2004 s80 2.9 partially based on the magazine
&gt; reviews (5) who are supposed to be smarter than me, 3 owners who i know but were not picky consumers, interviewing service mgrs and a test drive(s), I wanted a "bigger" sedan for family trips, etc. Away I went.


I'm also aware of " buyer beware", so my problem, but
&gt; have only 3,000 miles on it and am contemplating selling it
&gt; this summer. What a waste and major disappointment!


&gt; As I stand now, athough i want to like it, Overall biggest piece of crap i ever owned!!!!!!!!!! though it does look good.


Should have bought a used lexus 2002/3 es300 with 25k for
&gt; less money as originally planned, But they had that accelleration DBWire
&gt; issues which i couldn't got past. Also thought new car
&gt; would be better over used and I thought I bought for
&gt; decent price point. Nondescript styling though, same interior as the volvo/ good headroom.
&gt;
&gt; let your readers know the following. the real list is
&gt; much bigger. It does have some, nice things / roomy, and several more etc, but killers are:
&gt;
&gt; 1. car does not hold small upgrade/hill by design (is in
&gt; neutral?). Even dangerous. Can't be fixed, back to parking break and can't let my kid drive.


&gt; 2. rear suspension is non-existent over small bumps, not craters / and evey some expansion joints in conc. pavement, cannot drink a soda in the back seat w/o spilling. Worse than a truck, no solution.


&gt; 3. nowhere near the mileage as published, thirsty 197 hp engineand i have a light foot.17/23, hopefully may improve. Comparible vehicles have same weight, better engines.


&gt; 4. brake dust on wheels is a deal killer for me,
&gt; have to maintain every week,
&gt;this is ridiculas. after market pads may void warranty. stentor rim design is terrible, too many spokes. no real solution.


&gt; 5. sounds like a truck when accellerating,
&gt; hums/winds, up/down like the little train that couldn't. big
&gt; engine no torque. Not even complaining about the 2.9, wanted a little more ecomony, Sounds like a ford is a ford?


&gt; 6. turning radius is terrible. need 60 wide street to do u-turn. No solution.


&gt; 7. trim quality is horrible, esp around windows. "The closer you look the better? we look? Can't magine in 2 yrs what it will look like / perform. No solution


&gt; 8. 10k between each brake pad replacement is absurd. See 4


&gt; 9. many more blind spots than what you could imagine
&gt; at pillars and side mirrors, esp in rear. No solution


&gt; 10. trunk deceivingly too small and not high enough
&gt; to hold 2 sets of golf clubs sideways with carts for a
&gt; big car. Bring fewer clubs


&gt; 11. left foot is like in a sprinters position when
&gt; driving. Brake pedal and gas too close together with dress shoes. No solution


&gt; 12.My 10 year old maxima with 186k rides and is
&gt; better than this piece of crap. They should have used its engine. Please investigate

&gt; 13. Console/dashboard/radio?/cupholders needs to be
&gt; ergonomically reviewed. Cant figure out how to retreive anything in slide window except with childs hand. After 5 years with same model, i guess same issues.


&gt; 14. Customer care just a big data base for complaints,nothing to do for resolution.


&gt; 15. Too expensive to repair/maintain based on relative costs and other manuf. Can you imagine that i am mentioning that with 47k to go on warrantee?


&gt; 16. Where did the 700 new improvements from the 2003
&gt; to the 2004 go?


&gt; 17. on and on, tired
&gt;
&gt;
Am i imagining these things, have tried to like it? Any reply from previous s80 users or a volvo rep to change my opinion would be helpful to me making a decision already made.


Your opinion will be appreciated.


Volvo for life? Maybe all they have is the saftey issue although most have manuf's have caught up by now.


&gt; Thanks
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Wow, this is sad. I have an 87 Volvo that has had only small minor problems. The only thing we have ever needed to replace (besides brakes) was a transmission. You may think "well, you probably don't drive it that much." Don't know about you, but 325,000 miles is quite a bit. And let me tell you, i push that thing harder than any car i've driven. Volvo's are the safest most reliable cars on the road, so no one has thr right to dis 'em.<IMG src=smileys/smiley14.gif border="0">

 

Wow, interesting stories from the new Volvo owners. I have a 89 740GL. I really dig the car. Recently had to replace a few things (fuel pump, rpm sensor and FPR). It was a pain in the *** but I did it myself and the car is running. I liked the new s70, thought it looked cool. But at $38Kk, I was put off alittle. Now I read these horror stories and I'm glad I stuck with the 740.

 

How about That a car that really doesn't rust!!!! and runs and runs and runs with minimal repair! I love my 2001 s80 2.9

 

I can't comment on newer, 1990+ Volvo's, but my 88' is a tank. Previous owner drove it for a couple years and never changed the oil, and ran it with almost no oil for quite some time. Also she was driving it with the overdrive solenoid broken so on the freeway it was hitting 4k revs.

Then I got it. Changed the oil, flame trap. Bypassed the overdrive solenoid and put 80k miles on it over 4 years. Overheated it twice (blown heater valve) and just drove the thing to the nearest gas station with no coolant both times. The engine didn't even flinch. At 260k she still drives strong.

A Ford or Honda would never withstand such abuse. I would have warped the heads or cracked the block long ago.

The only thing bad I can say about it is the interior plastic and the gas mileage. Everything is cracked or falling apart. But it is 25 years old, and gas was cheap in the 80's.

I just got a 2003 S40, and it is riddled with high priced maintenance issues. VVT Gear, pressure regulator, cam seals... You shouldn't have to put $3000 into a car with only 115k miles on it. I'm basing that price on what a dealer would charge to do the job. But even doing it yourself its almost $500. Hopefully after all that is done she will last another 120k miles or so.

 

Sorry to hear that you don't like your Volvo. My understanding is that: if you want low maintenance cost, stay away from most European cars. They are over engineered and sometimes the small sales figure makes finding service and parts expensive. Stay with the big Japanese brands and you will be happy. Of course, it depends on where you live, too. After driving extremely reliable Toyotas and Hondas for 15 years, I am getting bored and getting a change in my life.