Faults:

Bought with bad thermostat, worn plugs, filters, dead windscreen wipers etc.

Nothing serious, just irritating - but we knew about these things, and the layout is so logical that it's really easy to fix. Parts are available if you look about, often much cheaper than you think.

General Comments:

We bought this car for peanuts, the previous owner thought it was too expensive to keep up. I did the work myself - not expecting much - but it's surpassed all my expectations. It's fantastic, reliable, stable and safe. Truly an excellent car!

Our repairs cost no more than $80 in parts, and the access and design is fantastic, and makes work easy.

Although the gas mileage isn't great, it has surprised me over and over again. I live in the middle of the Rockies, and it humms over the big mountain passes and smooths out rough un-paved roads.

Where we live, cars get eaten up by the grit, the ice, the altitude, the falling rocks, the awful roads, and this car just laughs it off.

I've taken this car on huge road trips, and she eats up the miles. Very very impressed. Now it's the only car I entrust to my baby and wife. SAFE, RELIABLE, SMOOTH.

Faults:

Bought the car at 118,000. Seals and gaskets were bad, replaced motor.

The first time I pushed the W button, it stuck and I had to replace the transmission brain.

Replaced therm. at same time as motor.

Shorts in the window wiring.

Driver's side leather worn.

Replaced sway bars at 119,000.

General Comments:

I loved the car enough to put 3,000 dollars worth of work into her when she is only valued at around 2,500 hundred dollars. This one week after I bought her for 2,200 hundred dollars.

I bought it from an old man that was the original owner, but the car had been sitting in his garage for years now. I didn't know that letting a car sit for too long could ruin the seals and gaskets.

Faults:

At about 150,000 kms, the seats started to wear badly, had to replace them with new ones.

Radio antenna needed replacing.

After 200,000 kms, suspension starts to feel very very soft... car was lower than other 940s/960s.

After 200,000 kms, felt that brakes were not as good as before... even though I replaced them. Replaced with Brembo brake pads and discs.

General Comments:

Car is nearly 15 years old, and still goes over 220 km/h.

Even though the car's entertainment isn't that entertaining, seats are very comfortable, great family car, reasonable legroom.

Steering does feel a bit "slow".

Instant great power comes in when you need it... great power from a small and "old" in line-six engine.

Faults:

Stock radio system broke at 103,000 miles, due to one of the wires not getting electric. Installed new radio with a CD player, as well as new wiring.

Driver's seat has considerable cracking in the leather.

Driver's door switch (lets car know door is ajar) is broken.

Fuel door fell off, replacement has been ordered.

Bright lights do not work, due to a broken switch.

ABS sensor broken on one of the wheels.

Power antenna broken.

General Comments:

Before I ever drove a Volvo, I always considered them to be boring cars, driven by people who aren't seeking a car that performs well. But then, I got into the driver's seat and took it for a spin. And ever since that day, I have been nothing but impressed with this car!

The 2.9L I6 DOHC engine is absolutely fantastic for this car. The 201 horsepower really makes it move, and you never lack power for passing on the highway, or just flooring it from a dead stop.

The 4-speed automatic transmission accompanies this engine very well, and shifts flawlessly. It also has mode selectors - economy, sport, and winter. The first two go without explaining, but the winter mode starts the car in 3rd gear, in order to provide enhanced traction on slippery roads.

Comfort. It's been a Volvo trademark for many years, and it's no exception in this car. While the leather on the driver's seat is cracking, it is the most comfortable car seat I have ever been in, even better than a lot of the furniture in my home. The heater function sweetens the deal when the leather is cold from a chilly day, and the power function with memory always gives you the perfect position for driving.

The driver's area on the 960 is very appealing and well thought out. The dashboard is laid out perfectly, with everything in sight at all times. The climate controls are easy to operate, and the shifter and parking brake are in a good position. The only drawback to the interior of this car is the lack of cup holders.

Outside, this car has quite a style, riding on 20-spoke alloy wheels. Other exterior features include front and rear fog lights, sunroof, and chrome door accents.

The trunk is quite large, and has an easy handle to open it. As long as the doors to the car are unlocked, you can open the trunk. Very nice compared to the "old fashioned" key opened trunks.

Overall, this is the best all-around car that I have ever driven. I really appreciate all of the features it has, and it's certainly a great buy. The issues that have gone wrong with this car, in my opinion, are peanuts considering mileage, age, and luxury of the car!