I've been thinking about purchasing a slightly used Volvo. Certain "car" people I know keep trying to talk me out of it, often citing that they are very expensive to maintain. I know they are quality cars (safety, etc.) But I can't really afford a car that is excessively expensive to repair. I want a car that will last me 175,000 - 200,000 miles. Does anyone have any advice. Is it really that much more expensive to repair a Volvo than it is to repair another Make of car. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

Travis

Hi Travis,

That all depends on how much of the maintenance you plan on doing yourself. Every car costs money to maintain, and some cars do require more "stroking" than others. That being said, I love spending time with my V70 every so often, and I honestly think the car runs better when you (the daily operator) take care of it. almost like it knows you are helping it out (Some sort of Volvo zen thing, if you will)

Keep an eye on it, and it will take care of you.

Look for a 1997 850 Sedan, or Wagon, or a 1998 V70 with all records. To keep it less expensive, pass on the turbo or AWD (98 and later) models, as there is more to these cars and they will cost more.

If you find one with less than 70k miles, you should have no problems going to 200k or more.

If you want to play it safe (at least from a maintenance perspective) buy a Toyota Camry, if you want to have a really fun car to drive and aren't afraid to get your hands dirty, get a Volvo. You'll find plenty of advice and help here if you do decide to go the Volvo route.

BB

BB:

Thanks a heap. That's the kind of advice I was looking for. I'm not at all opposed to working on it myself. In fact, I really enjoy tooling around the garage and if it can help us connect on a higher plane, then all the better. You're advice will certainly factor into my decision and it's nice to know that there's a community out there to back me up.

Thanks again,

Travis

My two cents worth.

Expensive to maintain? A qualified yes.
To own a Volvo long term, you need to be interested in the car, be actively involved in maintaining it (even if someone else does the work), maintain it properly, and spend the money when it needs to be spent. Yes, you'll may see the occasional $1,000 repair bill. But in my experience, my Volvo 740 was the most economical car I've ever owned, due to its sheer durability. It was also great to drive, comfortable, and a constant source of satisfaction.

My '03 Corolla is a decent car, but it simply doesn't compare in terms of the total ownership experience. A Toyota is perfect for the person who simply wants transportation.

I drove a V50 2.4i five-speed a week ago . . . I'm beginning to contemplate a return to the fold.