Faults:

Overdrive solenoid went around 140K.

Oil gaskets replaced around 165k - was leaking heavily out of the engine.

General Comments:

This was my first car and it was very good to me. Never broke down on me and left me stranded; even when the overdrive solenoid went, I was able to drive home in 3rd gear.

Parts were expensive, but everything held up so well that it offset not having to regularly fix the car.

Being a first car, it got pretty beat up and kept going. She was pathetically slow, but a real smooth comfortable ride, and handled very well for a boat.

This car was fun in the snow. But when I wasn't sliding out on propose, it handled really well in 6" or less; I guess the weight helped.

All in all, it was a great car to own, and I'm sad I let it go. It really is a solid car that won't let you down.

Faults:

Speed sensor failed at differential housing.

Head gasket failed at 210000.

General Comments:

This was a really nice 1994 wagon that I had just put entirely new brakes, rotors, and tires on. I had also had the head rebuilt - not really a bad job... along with all the seals, belts, hoses, etc.

My 18 year daughter was given this car to drive to college. She rear-ended another car and totaled it, totaled the GMC dually ahead of that car, and of course the Volvo. She was probably going 45. Both her airbags went off, not bad for a 16 year old car, and the front of the Volvo was crumpled from the front bumper to the front of the front tires. The rest of the car still looked perfect. Except for being really scared, she was uninjured. This car really did save her from serious injury or worse, so the loss of the car is of no consequence.

Faults:

Usually people don't post anything here unless they are unhappy with the vehicles for some reason.

There really have been very few problem with this vehicle, of which I have owned 2. Both have been reliable, sturdy and safe transportation, albeit, somewhat ugly to look at.

As someone else mentioned here, you must remember to replace the flame trap every 1-2 years or so, there are some cheap plastic parts that tend to break apart, but most of them are on the interior and don't affect the engine. (see kickboard on the drivers/passenger door, interior overhead light, speaker covers, seatbelt clips, etc). The leather seats tend to wear faster than the cloth seats.

There can be issues with the brake calipers, where the pins can get stuck, and this warps the rotors. This is pretty easy fix.

Gas mileage is eh, so-so. Not terrible though. This is a non interference engine, so you don't worry about timing chains and blown head gaskets and such.

A/C compressor is broken, and I've chosen just to leave it as is and not fix it, because I live in the northeast.

Windows and moonroof work great, have never broken or died on either car I owned, which was a first for me.

Radiator plug wore out, and needed to be replaced (a $2.50 item).

A hose popped at one point, and antifreeze came out, risking an overheat (there are no sensors to detect this), but this was simple cheap fix.

Replaced 1 dead alternator.

General Comments:

For the price of these vehicles nowadays, if you can get one for less than $1400, even as high as 170k, I would snap it up, given someone who didn't just beat it to death for years and years.

This car has saved me a lot of money, while others go out and spend a bizillion dollars on newer fancier vehicles, this one gets me back and forth in exactly the same fashion.

It is sluggish 0-60, as many older Volvos are, (don't get the turbo version of this car) but cruises very solid at 60+ mph on the highway.

Excellent car, and I will drive for as long as I can, but not in the snow! :)