Don't know how a bunch of drunken Belgians having a bad Monday could have been responsible for multiple failures of multiple components built all over Europe.

My receipt stack is 2 1/2 inches, it's now in my office since I couldn't close the glovebox door anymore.

I've had Kino's first survey problems #1-5-9-10, second survey #2-3-4-6-8-9-11, plus 3 power door locks, plus all the bulb and headlight recalls, plus the dye wearing through on the beige steering wheel, plus a sterreo speaker, plus an AC hose, plus cuphholder broken, fixed, worn out and finally replaced, plus one headlight and one foglight lost to rocks (not Volvo's fault).

Plus more rattles and squeaks than great-grandpaw's Model T.

My tires do last about 35k and my original front brakes lasted about 65k. Transmission and clutch have been fine.

Most of my problems occurred during the first 50,000 miles. My Volvo VIP extended warranty was a loser to the tune of about $800. Now that the warranty has expired I can expect the fun will return.

I started writing this trying to encourage you, I now realize we're both completely insane if we keep shoveling money into these cars!

Buy a Toyota not a Ford if you give up.

-Punxsutawney Phil

'98 V70T5 5-speed, 102k mi.