Lol what's with the hate of Volvo (by some people here in this thread). They make great cars and they've been doing really great.(ironically even better under the hands of the Chinese).

I take this from personal experience. I've test driven a brand-new black S60 a few months ago. It was a 1.6 liter T4 version. Now, typically, one may view it as underpowered but for me it wasn't. Heck it felt great and the materials are really spot on. The Swedish really know what they're doing....

Hence, I really feel that Volvo is somewhat unappreciated by some people these days. It's not soccer mom or a vehicle that is stereotyped to only conservative or 'play-it-safe' kinda people.

With that said, perhaps a few people may have had lemons or were not lucky with the Volvos they've owned BUT the Volvo brand is FAR from being unreliable.

Heck, if I had the money, I would get a Volvo S60 over a US version Honda Accord anyday.:

 

I originally felt the same way. It's not really a hate. I want to like them. I still do like the styling of the S60. My friend purchased his S40 because his family had 2 Volvos over the years and where great. His experience with his S40 has left a very bitter taste though. But since he considers his S40 his most unreliable car (and he owns a 13 year old Wrangler!) I'm learning from his experience and staying away.

I was very interested in their coupe/convertible when it first cane out until I started hearing about the reliability issues. Maybe a more recent thing...

 

I toyed with buying a Volvo XC90 until I read the tranny needs to be replaced every 50k miles, no thanks. (last generation, 8 out of every 10 consumer reviews mentioned they needed a new tranny!)

I expect they will be the next car compay to follow SAAB to an early grave.

Meanwhile Hyundai is making reliable products, so it is possible to turn around quality. Its really that easy to run a good car company, focus on reliability, no lip service about quality, DO IT.

 

Used to be a Volvo fan before I became a Lexus fan because I was in an accident in 1975 in a 1975 Volvo 145 Wagon. Was broadsided by a drunk who ran a red light going 70 MPG (his approach hidden behind a tall building at the corner). The wagon spun around and rolled over twice but landed on it's wheels. I unbuckled my seat belt, opened the door and walked away - no injuries at all. (This was a company car, I could not afford my own Volvo back then.)

Because of this I subsequently owned:

1971 Volvo 145 Wagon
1974 Volvo 144 GL
1979 Volvo 244 DL (with turbo wheels added)
1984 Volvo 245 Turbo Wagon
1988 Volvo 744 Turbo

They were all average or satisfactory in terms of reliability. The '88 744 had 100k miles when I sold it and it's still running around the valley (I know the current owner). Almost every time they went in for a 5 kmi service, something needed to be fixed - even true on the 744 when it was new and under warranty. Despite getting all the recommended maintenance, the '79 DL died on the freeway twice during it's time with me (alternator and timing belt). These were all the "real" rear-wheel drive Volvos made by Volvo (not Ford or the Chinese). The old saying was: A Volvo will last forever, you just have to replace all the parts.

I was finally convinced that the 2003 LS was as safe as a Volvo and a much nicer car. BTW, the LS's reliability for the first 9 years and 72k miles has been nearly perfect.

1971 Volvo 145 Wagon (aka the urban assault vehicle) in Mountain View, CA:



1974 Volvo 144 GL on Rabbit Ears Pass Colorado, with Ivan the cat at the wheel:



1988 Volvo 744 Turbo in the California Sierras:

 

Err.......I don't know what the.....................................................................................................

 

Volvo will not be going bankrupt anytime soon, they are very successful manufacturers of trucks, buses and large construction equipment and other things too. Volvo's cars sell pretty well in Europe as well.

Unnecessary, argue over PM with him or resist posting it

 

Blackraven, Exit this thread now. Totally uncalled for.