Chrysler brags about having Mercedes technology in their cars....but where is Mercedes bragging about Chrysler anything?

Ford now owns Volvo, but is that a good/bad thing for Volvo? I have a 97 850-R that I bought new and now has 121k on the clock. Runs fine with regular maintenance. No major issues outside of wear and tear.

The older cars may have been built like tanks, but when it comes to an accident the newer cars are better built. Nowadays, and this may come with a lot of argument from others, but to get a decent vehicle you need to spend in excess of $50 grand. Anything less is an average car, the only problem is is that not many people have $$ to drop.

I guess my point is if you have the fortune to have a good car then be thankful. I always figure that if I wish to find out how good a car is ask the owner.

Packard's famous advertising campaign.

Once well known as a manufacturer of thoughtfully designed, well engineered premium automobiles. Out of business since the mid 1950's.

Hmmm....

Bryan

"to get a decent vehicle you need to spend in excess of $50 grand."

I don't consider any vehicle that goes for more than 50 grand "decent." Ultra luxury or supercars aside, if you can't find a great car for under 30 grand (including recently used ones), then you're not looking in the right places. Why would ANYONE pay that kind of depreciation?

You're right.... You may want to let us know what you concider a "decent vehicle". There are alot of really good cars in the $20-30 K range.

People who think the newer Volvos are maintenance heavy, should try a comparable Mercedes, BMW, or Audi. Volvos look pretty cheap!
Most used Volvo owners bought the car because of the low cost of buying them. And they know that if properly maintained, there is no reason not to expect 200K miles on the clock. Of course the electronics are a bear, just like the 240 wiring harnesses. But I would rather swap in a new AMM than redo the valves on an M5, or even change a thermostat in an A6!
The 850/70 have a serious problem with the evaporator leaking, and you would think that Volvo would have learned after the heater core problems with the 240! But those quirks are Volvo. If you do most of your own maint, it is a reasonably cheap and very comfortable car to drive.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

I kinda agree. I would rate my old 89 760T as a far more engineered vehicle than the 97 850 GLT Turbo I now have, with just under 90K on it. I have had two of these (sold one about 6 months ago) and they are, in my opinion, maintenance intensive. Major $$ to keep them in good shape. I would still have my 760T and my 380SEL if people hadn't decided to use them as targets.