Faults:

Valve cover gasket blew when I bought it - $20.

Muffler fell off at 310.000KM - free fix.

Alternator failed at 320.000KM - $100.

Heater hose blew around 320.000KM.

Brake pads and discs replaced at 320.000KM - $100.

High beam relay stopped working at 340.000KM.

Transmission broke down at 340.000KM, only reverse working.

General Comments:

This car is very comfortable to drive and sit in.

However, mine did use too much fuel. Around 1.1-1.3 litres per 10KM. I was never able to get it under 1 litre per 10KM, not even on the highway driving economically.

This car is virtually indestructible as long as you buy OEM parts and get the oil and filter changed on time. The alternator that failed was not OEM.

These cars are already old. So if you plan to buy one, it is advisable to get one that has been properly cared for, and with as few previous owners as possible.

All in all, I would recommend this car if you like the brick design. It is indeed a car with its own characteristics!

Faults:

Needed a new exhaust and heater fan (after 22 years, mind you).

The leather interior is pretty thrashed and the headliner is toast.

The fuel gauge quivers, but still delivers a fairly accurate reading.

General Comments:

This thing will never die. EVER. The engines in these things are legendary for their reliability, and the body is very robust. Mount a gun on this car and call it a tank!

The gas mileage is very good as well, delivering about 28-30 MPG combined. This Volvo is of better quality than just about anything built at the time. And they're cheap, too! Get one!

General Comments:

Slow to get going, but the ride is smooth as silk.

Faults:

Fuel pump relay failed, cheap to fix, and I had to replace the fuel pump and the fuel pressure regulator. The fuel pressure regulator was a challenge to figure out, as it was working, sort of. When we changed it the pump worked as it should. Apart from that it has been regular maintenace. Changed the spark plugs, timing belt and oil seals on front of engine. Cost 150 dollars for that work. Since then it has been oil changes, and gas. The only other thing I really notice is my power trunk lock seems to get a bit touchy when the temperature gets below minus 25.

General Comments:

Great driving car. I was surprised how well it handles in the snow. I much prefer it to the front wheel cars I have driven. It is quiet on the highway, giving me about 45 mpg on the average. I get 34 mpg mixed driving which still is not too bad.

Super reliable, simple to fix car. Parts seem cheap and lots around.

Faults:

Replaced original ZF transmission with used AW71 @ 198000 miles. (Overloaded car with paving stones and burned it out.)

Replaced AW71 transmission with another used AW71 @ 218000 miles. (put wrong fluid in it.)

Power steering line corroded through @ 240000 miles. Replaced with junkyard piece.

Several exhaust systems in seven years due to Illinois winter salt fetish.

Replaced worn leather seats with used leather from a 1988.

Broke two timing belts with no engine damage.

Replaced the and the front cam and shaft seals and the blow-by box with an upgrade at 180000 miles.

Replaced engine wiring harness at 170000 because the factory wiring insulation disintegrated.

Replaced rear bumper after my daughter slammed it into a wall the day she got her learners permit. Bumper was badly corroded at the mounting points.

Reconditioned and upgraded the air-conditioning to R134a at 294000 miles. Blows very cold.

General Comments:

I bought my station wagon from a local junkyards used car lot for 900.00 because my 73 145 became terminal from Midwest body cancer.

It is the best choice for a car I could have made. It has taken abuse from my wife, my daughter and myself but still keeps rolling. It has so many interchangeable parts with other Volvo models that I have no problems with parts.

I have three other Volvos, ranging from 1979 to 1991. It is so nice to go for tune up parts with a very short list for all of them.

I am now getting ready to replace the front fenders that were trashed by my daughter rear-ending a pick-up truck, and my wife sliding off of the driveway into the neighbors chain link fence.

I am eagerly waiting for the odometer to turn 300k. I have no problem with the concept of taking it cross-country any time.