16th Dec 2013, 02:36
To answer your questions:
Is it reliable? Most likely not.
Is it expensive to run? Most definitely yes. As you can see by the numbers, some repairs and parts in imported cars cost 3-4 times as much as with domestic cars, let alone trying to find a mechanic who will work on a Volvo. Most likely you will have to go to the dealer and pay ridiculous prices, as they are the only ones that will work on it.
I don't understand why people spend so much money on European cars and expect them to be reliable and inexpensive to run. I prefer not to take chances, and have always bought domestic cars. Everyone in my family has always owned mostly GM and Ford and never had any problems, never replaced engines or transmissions, they usually run over 300k easy. Why buy anything else if they have never broke down?
I get a laugh from the type of people who own imports and think everything made in Detroit and any American car is garbage, no matter what. I had a friend who bought a brand new VW, and within 2-3 years I was always having to drive him when it started breaking down, or I would lend him my spare truck, a 25 year old Chevy with 340000 on it. It still started every time; something the VW didn't do.
I buy and sell cars, so I've owned pretty much every brand. I would never recommend a European car to someone looking for something reliable and/or affordable. I would recommend most GM and Ford products, some Dodge, some Japanese cars; Toyota, Honda and Subaru products are mostly excellent and reliable, but other brands (ie: Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki) are down right horrible.
As with pretty much every manufacturer, even the better ones (GM, Ford, Honda, Toyota), there are always still lemon models to stay away from. Do your research on the model and known problem areas before buying, look at ownership history, inspect/test drive the car well, and get it inspected by a trustworthy mechanic before buying.
16th Dec 2013, 22:02
The point with imports, and especially Volvo, is that the dealer doesn't make money on new cars; they make money on repairs.
18th Dec 2013, 13:10
No dealer makes money on new cars. They make more on trade-ins and selling used cars, and servicing/repairs.
21st Jul 2015, 19:56
If the A/C stops blowing cold air after 5-10 minutes, look up on Google about the 'a/c bread clip fix'. Any garage could do it for you in 15 minutes and it will last for long time.
21st Jun 2016, 23:20
If you wonder about the Volvo dealer prices, why not give them a call and ask for some struts/shocks quote (parts only). Don't forget to be seated before composing the phone number.
Have a look here for example
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-cv-axle-shaft-s60-v70-8252046
18th Mar 2017, 03:33
I think he is putting Volvo down only. None of these thing happened to me and I have owned over 10 Volvos over time... still I have an S60 and an S70 running like new, the first one at 190K and the other 300K. Because Volvos are heavier, the brakes need to be changed more often than Japanese or North American cars...
28th Mar 2017, 11:10
I can guarantee you didn't own an S60 from 0 to 190k or another one from 0 to 300k miles. You just bought these cars with high mileage and owned them for one year. If the previous owner did all needed repairs, and you drove the car for only 3000 miles, you have no clue how much money the previous owner has spent into repairs. You've owned 10 Volvos and you are only talking about brakes repairs? Which brake repairs? The brakes on the S60 are very good except for the front flexible lines and the rear delaminating brake shoes; there are no problems with the brakes on the S60.
12th Dec 2013, 13:43
Or the aircon compressor - a Sanden compressor used to replace one for a Ferrari 308 at my mechanic's only cost NZ$650 (US$526).