2002 Volvo XC70 Std Engine - T5

Summary:

Shame - would never buy again - completely unreliable and horribly expensive

Faults:

Most recently, @ 98k miles, the transmission died. Thankfully, we bought it certified pre-owned and it is covered save a deductible. That would not be irritating save for three things: 1) it has been dealer serviced, per full recommended svce, every 3k miles; 2) it came back with three more problems not there before we sent it in; and 3) it has had various and sundry other problems in its career w/us - shocks and springs, several brake jobs, wheel alignments, various electrical malfunctions - pwr windows, headlights, etc.

In general, the a/c controls are confusing at best - have to run a/c to run front window defrost, etc, and the stereo (which sounds great) has very confusing - non-intuitive controls. The car does not track steadily on the highway. You constantly have to adjust by millimeter adjustments as you drive. The tires wear unevenly and very quickly and are very expensive to replace as it generally only accepts Pirellis in a non-standard size.

General Comments:

See above comments.

However, the car is beautiful. It is very enjoyable to drive with adequate acceleration and decent handling/steering.

It is very good in snow.

It is very comfortable, particularly on long trips.

The stereo is great.

We use the sunroof all the time, as well as the heated seats in the winter (the only reason to get leather IMHO).

But the above comments ruin it all.

The gas mileage is not bad.

It has a pleasing cabin and good rear room and good cargo space.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th September, 2007

10th Sep 2007, 03:00

The a/c comes in automatically on these on defrost as the a/c will defrost the screen quicker than normal air - another Volvo safety feature (they were one of the first with this feature as standard!!!)

10th Sep 2007, 15:51

Thank you for the A/C comment. I had not heard that before.

As a followup to my original note above, we just got the car back from the Volvo dealer with the new transmission, and also a burning engine smell, a noise from a wheel when turning right, and a gas filler lid that would not close. So the car went back in today.

The dealer said they did not cause the gas filler lid to break since they would have no reason to open it. That aside, it is $300 to replace the gas filler lid motor. That's a monthly car payment to a lot of people.

As I said above, "HORRIBLY EXPENSIVE." Oh, and we are just over our 100K warranty. I would never buy another Volvo.