Faults:

Engine light on constantly for no apparent reason. Felt nickel and dimed to death, trying to get this stupid light to turn OFF!!!

Rear left window motor burned out, yet, rarely used.

Never ending brake squealing, grinding, and replacements.

General Comments:

The "pro's" and "cons" are evenly matched in this car. Highs: Great handling, performance (esp. in snow, rain), durability, looks, doors nice and heavy, SAFE feel.

Lows: Felt like it was never truly 100% "fixed"- always nickel and dimed with repairs. Cup holder was RIDICULOUS, flimsy. Brakes were always an issue, squealing, grinding, never "fixed" despite sinking a good $2K+ on fixing them. Had quirky things go wrong that I never had to worry about with Japanese cars...

Faults:

ABS chip, starter, rear tailgate inside panel reattached for rattles, ignition switch, speaker on drivers.side, heater fan motor. also the usual maintenance, timing belt-brake job, trans fluid flush.

General Comments:

Comfortable-quick and decent on gas 25 hwy-19 town, does have a couple of rattles. car cleans-up nicely and white exterior is easy to care for.

Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

This car does not feel as solid as the 1996 - 850 GLT my wife drives.

The car is not as swift as the 850 as well.

There is a constant whistle like noise at the driver's window. Also there is minor rattling you hear all the time.

The seats are very comfortable and the ride is fairly good.

Faults:

New brakes, new rear axle, new radiator, water pump, engine mount, struts, turbo line, and four new tires in two months of owning this vehicle, what's next? Seat warmers sometimes smell like they are burning.

General Comments:

This car broke my heart! Beautiful car with lots of problems. My plastic Saturn went for 65,000 miles with NO problems, driven hard on NYC streets. This Volvo is INCREDIBLY squeeky, doesn't do bumpy roads well, and the anti-lock breaks are weird -- they will probably go next. I can't unload this car for anything.

Faults:

Driver Door Lock replaced after 20,000 km, under warranty

Brakes replaced at 90,000 km

Tires at 110,000 km (summer tires)

Alternator and Battery at 120,000 km.

General Comments:

Most comfortable car I have ever owned. Great for long trips. Accelerates like a rocket. Can fit in a 8x4 sheet of plywood, I even got in a 15ft Christmas Tree. Rides very smooth. Doors are really thick, and the road noise is minimal.

Feels like a brick, no rattles or noise, just like when new.

Mileage is average to good, 500-550kms on 70 liters.

Faults:

Gear shifter had to be replaced.

Tailgate trim constantly coming loose.

Sunroof leaked.

Latch to release rear seat to fold down failed.

Trunk (boot) latch failed.

Interior tailgate opener has failed.

AM reception very poor.

Safety lights in door have come loose.

Too many squeaks and rattles to mention.

General Comments:

Where do I start with this car... should have read most consumer advice web sites or magazines before buying. They all say avoid this car! Too late, now I'm stuck with it. Having owned it for not even three years it's almost lost half ($) what we paid for it. If you like high mileage Volvo wagons, they're going cheap!

Buying a used car will always have its risks, but I checked CARFAX for a full history, one owner and fully dealer maintained. Purchased from a Volvo dealer. I don't think this car was abused by previous owner, I think it was very poorly designed.

The only good qualities about this car seem to be the engine and gearbox... with the Turbo it's a very powerful and smooth power train. I could live with this car if the seats offered more support (I suffer from a bad back) and there were less rattles.