Volvo long-term reliability

Hi all,

I am looking at purchasing a used Volvo and am having trouble finding
information about the long-term prospects of the newer models.

I know Volvo built a reputation for cars that are just getting broken
in at the 150-200Kkm mark but that was with 2xx and 7xx (and to some
extent 9xx) series cars. My recently wrecked 850 had 230Kkm and ran
like a top, absolutely a flawless ride.

But is an S40 with 230Kkm still at the midpoint of its life or is it
near the end? I feel some confidence in looking at V70 and S70 with
those numbers but the S40 is a significant departure from anything
they've sold here before (a Japanese/Dutch project, I've read) so I
don't know if I should back away from them.

I've already disqualified AWD models because of the critical effect
minor maintenance tasks can have on their longevity.

So this one coming from the third owner who only has records for the 4
years he's owned it: http://tinyurl.com/dxc28a

or this one from the second owner with complete records from the
start: http://tinyurl.com/croguw

Or is it foolish to look at an S40 or V40 with more than 200Kkm?

So much indecision and so little time!

Thanks for your considered opinions
blurp

 

The newer the Volvo, the lesser the total lifetime mileage you can
expect.

It went downhill when Ford took over, and god help us if the chinamen
get there paws on it.

 

Gross sour grapes!

My '95 850 has served me very well, 150k miles and I am keeping it until
2011 when I will be in Sweden and get another Volvo.

My '01 XC70 has served me well also, 120k miles and I have no plans of
selling it.

 

Ford didn't seem to get their hands in there much. Generally speaking
though the newer the car, the more complex it is, and the more stuff
there is to break. It's a tradeoff between features/comfort and
dependability/serviceability. They seem to still hold up reasonably well
though.

 

i take care of my volvo's, they seem to take care of me just
fine......

 

I'd generally agree with this, although I can say that the RWD cars are
much more robust than the newer ones. The newers ones are also alot
cheaper than the older ones and designed for a more mass market fashion
rather than long life time. For instance most of the big RWD cars were
galvanised, the FWD ones are not, any 940s with no crash damage still
looks like it came out of the showroom. FWD is more susceptible to CV
joint problems. Newer ones are more efficient, prettier and have more
gadgets.

The main thing I have noticed is that the older 850s we looked at were
in a very poor state internally compared with the 940s. Broken bits of
interiors, faulty windows, engine check light on, loose steering,
generally pretty horrible. I guess if they are looked after they will
be ok and many on here testify to it, but in comparison many Ford owners
also say the same, but they are the guys that really look after their cars.

About 6 years ago I looked at an 850T5R, it was in terrible condition
and it just could not put the power down onto the road, where the 940 I
eventually purchased really gives a kick up the arse from 1st gear, and
can be easily tuned for the same power.

My 95 940 Turbo is showing little signs of aging, other than bushes
hardening up and a leaky sun roof (the sealing lip is the only
non-galvanised part of the car), just a few more to replace now. My
wheels still look new compared to my partners 97 BMW, its wheel are very
corroded. I have had to overhaul the turbo, but that is the only real
wear item (every 130Kmiles).

The only thing you really need to worry about on a 940 is lack of oil
changes as some people view on older cars is to not look after them, run
them into the ground as it were. Some may exhibit cooling problems and
need replacement radiators or head gasket, but these are easy jobs which
probably only need doing once following long periods of neglect.

 

I agree w/Tony...the 940's are a good bet...Keep
'em maintained and they yield years of service...

We are coming up on 300,000 miles w/the
usual items, nothing major on our 1993 .......

 

Actually the opposite is true. The 850 unibody design is made with
galvanized steel. This is also part of the improved safety in the newer
FWD Volvos, the better galvanizing insures that the body maintains its
strength.

The most rusted out vehicle I ever owned was a 1971 Volvo and it had
less than 100,000 miles on it. The rocker panels had to be replaced
before I could sell it. My '93 850 with 150,000 miles, '95 850 with
150,000 miles and '01 V70XC with 120,000 miles are all rust free and
look like new inside and out.

None have ever had CV joint problems. I can guarantee you the FWD
Volvos never have rear end problems. Kidding aside, Volvo went from RWD
to FWD for safety reasons. RWD cars are cheap to make, but they
sacrifice strength and handling, and wrap the gas tank around the rear
axle.

 

Volvo started galvanizing in 1986 with the 240 series, I don't know if
the early 700 series were galvanized or not.

The FWD/RWD debate has raged on for decades with no clear winner. FWD is
simpler and less expensive to manufacture, the entire power unit is
installed as a single package. It also has significantly lower parasitic
drag since there are fewer moving parts. RWD requires a separate rear
axle assembly, driveshaft, multiple mounts, etc. The fuel tank is not
wrapped around the axle, in the 240 it is behind the axle and in the
700/900 cars it is forward of the axle. Both FWD and RWD Volvos have
excellent safety records, I've never heard of a fuel tank rupture
occurring. Handling is different, but again, I see no clear winner,
either one can be "better" depending on the circumstances.

Personally I prefer RWD, but mostly due to the easier maintenance and
repair of a longitudinally mounted engine than any handling merits of
one over the other. I've done enough work on transverse engines in FWD
cars to know it isn't something I enjoy.

 

i like 'em both...they each have their place in
driving and rallying......in the end though...i think
i would rather be "pushed" than "pulled"......

 

Ok so we've determined that the old cars that we know last well do, in
fact, last well. With the exception of an '01 XC70 I'm not seeing too
much input regarding cars sold since the turn of the century.

The XC70 is only an option if its provenance is above suspicion (i.e.
if owned from new). Minor maintenance issues can develop into big
headaches with this car so I'm not considering it.

To veer back toward the OP, does anyone have experience with, say, an
S40 with high kms?

You can take really good care of a Toyota Camry but when it hits 235K
you're on borrowed time. Not so for a 240 or a 960 or an 850. What
about an S40? Does it carry on Volvo's tradition of durability?

Thanks,
blurp

 

The only new car I bought was a 1996 850 Turbo, and it had many
problems.

Rattles, loose trim, a leaking rear main seal: but worst of all it was
an evil handling car, thanks to FWD, low profile tires, and sloppy
suspension design and set up from the factory.

So I sold it, then bought and restored my current daily driver, a 1982
244 Turbo.

It is much more solid, has better steering feel, and is built like a
tank.

The car is over 300K, and looks and runs fine.

I also have a 1986 740 Turbo I restored, and my wife drives a 940
Turbo.

In my experience, all three older Volvos are better built than the
850; their engines are stout and understressed and will last longer
than the 5 cylinder, their interiors are of sturdier construction, and
being RWD their handling is better.

Just my two cents.

 

I fell in love with FWD when I rented a car in Maui to drive on the
infamous "Road to Hanna". It is a coastal road, about 50 miles long,
with 600 curves and 54 bridges and absolutely gorgeous. It is said to
take you closer to heaven than any other road and they aren't kidding.
We started the journey at dawn and have breakfast in Hana so that other
traffic wouldn't be in our way. It was great to have a car where you
could step on the gas when the rear end started to slide. That was
probably the most fun I have had in a car.

Recently on a rain-slickened road, my XC70's rear started to slide on a
curve. I stepped on the gas in it and pulled it out of the slide. I
wasn't sure what was going to happen. It felt great. That is something
you could never do in the RWDs.

I did have a Subaru before the FWD and AWD Volvo's came out and it had
scary-wicked torque steer. It had so much torque steer that you had to
really muscle the steering wheel when you passed someone. I realize how
great the Volvo FWDs and AWDs that I have owned are. They were totally
neutral.

 

My 2000 US spec. S40 that I purchased new in Nov. of 1999 just turned
197,000 miles (317,000km) last week. The body and suspension are starting
to get a little worn out, but the engine and trans. are still in very good
shape. It leaks oil like an old Volvo, but for the amount of money that
I've put into it (which has been very little other than for wear items), it
has been a good car.

 

Thanks, that's helpful to know! I've gone ahead with a 2001 S40 1.9T
and it seems peppy but smaller than I'm used to. It has 232Kkm on it
so I hope it continues to hold up. Seems good so far...

Thanks again,
blurp