Are Volvo cars any good?

[Walter]

How come used Volvos are cheaper compared to BMWs and MBs?
Are there any Volvo owners here? Are Volvos easy to maintain? Are parts available? What is the best model / year to consider if one is buying a used Volvo?

[orly_andico]

i think used volvos are cheaper than BMWs and Benz'es because they're fuglier.
just kidding..

but then again the "new" volvos (the ones with models like S40, S60, instead of 3-digit numbers) are made by FORD (you know.. Found On the Road Dead.. Fix Or Repair Daily..) so definitely much lower-class than BMW's and Benz'es. But then again all Jaguars are also FORD...

[ryan]

i think used volvos are cheaper than BMWs and Benz'es because they're fuglier.
just kidding..

but then again the "new" volvos (the ones with models like S40, S60, instead of 3-digit numbers) are made by FORD (you know.. Found On the Road Dead.. Fix Or Repair Daily..) so definitely much lower-class than BMW's and Benz'es. But then again all Jaguars are also FORD...

Following that logic, Range Rovers and Aston Martins must be lower-class too since they are part of FORD hehe :P (just playing with u orly)

Walter, which particular Volvo models are you interested in? I think old Volvos here had some "tropical" problems like plastics not standing up to our hot weather and some mechanical issues.

I have a 2004 S40 (new look) for 2 trouble-free years so far and I'm enjoying every moment of driving/owning the car. I have a friend with an S60 T5 and he seems to like his car alot too. Just ask if you like to know more..

[OTO]

It's the image of what Volvos were in the past that's killing the pre-owned price. Demand rin. More demand = higher price.

[seonadancing]

The box type Volvos are ugly. The new ones are curvier and much more appealing. S40!!!

[orly_andico]

Following that logic, Range Rovers and Aston Martins must be lower-class too since they are part of FORD hehe :P (just playing with u orly)

di naman same class eh.

following the same logic, wouldn't the Cayenne be considered more desirable than the Range Rover? actually Ford has been good for some of its acquisions (e.g. Jaguars used to be extremely unreliable until Ford bought them..) but there's really no comparison between a Ford, and an equally-priced Benz or BMW in terms of perception and prestige value. Am not saying the Ford is a worse car, but in people's minds, it is.

well it doesn't help Ford that their SUV's burn down houses... :D

on a (useless) side note, the new C1-based S40 (the one which looks like a blinged Mazda3.. which it is..) is pretty darn good looking.

[AG4]

How come used Volvos are cheaper compared to BMWs and MBs?

Its Volvo's brand image in the country, Mercedes and BMW are sort of like Toyota and Honda in the RP lxury car segment(traditional euro luxury brands).

What is the best model / year to consider if one is buying a used Volvo?

I guess it depends on the model, some of the better old gen Volvos...
S40 (1998 model shown)


S70 (1998 model shown)

[Walter]

Walter, which particular Volvo models are you interested in? I think old Volvos here had some "tropical" problems like plastics not standing up to our hot weather and some mechanical issues.

I have a 2004 S40 (new look) for 2 trouble-free years so far and I'm enjoying every moment of driving/owning the car. I have a friend with an S60 T5 and he seems to like his car alot too. Just ask if you like to know more..

Interested in the 850 Estate or V70 (pre-2001) since used ones are quite cheap. Are there available parts outside of dealers? What are the common problems to look out for when buying these models?

[empy]

volvos are just not mainstream yet.

they're traditionally known for making cars that are super-safe and a little quirky...the stereotype in the 90's was college professors and mom wagons not really well-known for making luxury/premium cars although they're obviously trying to change that.

imo they're kinda in that 'no-man's land' that volkswagen is also in - not quite as luxurious as mercedes or jaguar, not as sporty as bmw, but a step or two above the japanese brands

[niky]

Also note that Volvos are much cheaper than BMWs or Mercs when brand new, thus, they're still cheaper than BMWs or Mercs when old.

Volvos have no more problems than Mercs or Bimmers do. Actually, given the quality of recent Mercs and Bimmers in regards to electronics, Volvo comes out about par with them. :P

[orly_andico]

niky,
by golly you're right. ang mura mura pala ng volvo compared sa BMW or Benz!

heck i just checked Buy and Sell. you can get a 2004 S40 for 950k! parang Mazda3 2.0 lang yun ah...
and a 1998 S40 is like 435k only.. about the same price as a 1994 BMW 316!

when judged in those terms, ok na ok na pala ang volvo.
for someone who wants a Euro car but is far too scared of Opel and doesn't want to pay a premium for BMW or (worse) Mercedes.

[AG4]

volvos are just not mainstream yet.

they're traditionally known for making cars that are super-safe and a little quirky...the stereotype in the 90's was college professors and mom wagons not really well-known for making luxury/premium cars although they're obviously trying to change that.

New Volvos... for cool professors & moms?

[basti08]

i like all Volvo cars....especially that boxy S70 even the older 850 model...S40 seems nice too gen1 or the latest model.
i have a friend who has an S60...it rocks!

[squala]

The post-square designed Volvos are worthier than ever, and when Ford acquired them, the cars had an even sportier handling. Reliability also rose with much better looks.

Click on my signature. I'm selling a very worthy car in case you're interested.

[Flagg]

Saya po ng S60 T5 comes with a subwoofer pa. Oh man that was a rush!

For me it's just brand management with Volvo's current quality. But the pre-1999 Volvos, di po at par with the Germans. I wasn't impressed at all with a 1996 850 sedan i drove (in 1997). Parang at par lang sa VR namin, interior wise. Talong talo suspension sa mga Germans.

But the new Volvos and the Germans are pretty much at par na, brand management not included.

The only problem I heard about Volvos are expensive maintenance & parts.

[Flagg]

Sir orly, mas masama po ferrari, they are owned by fiat.

[edl100]

For the VOLVO owners and those who have experience with it:

Where do you have it serviced outside Viking?? Where do you buy parts?? What are common problems to look out for?? Transmission? Electrical?? Aircon??

I do not have much knowledge with it. If I have researched well enough with Volvo ownership in the Phils yet.

Thanks!!

[pixelparadigm]

Passenger safety and build quality comes to my mind when I hear Volvo.

[OTEP]

Interested in the 850 Estate or V70 (pre-2001) since used ones are quite cheap. Are there available parts outside of dealers? What are the common problems to look out for when buying these models?

We have an 850 2.5 GLE Estate. May nagpost sa isang Volvo thread or somewhere sa Euro forums selling 850 parts (third-party). Ours is usually serviced at the gas station.

Parts are quite expensive. Though yung iba branded (e.g. Bosch, Hella, etc.) kaya pwede ka kumuha straight from them.

To give you an idea of the price of parts. OEM struts for the rear liftgate cost Php6k++ for a pair. Wala pa yung labor.

So far that is the most expensive thing we have replaced.

[Belisarius]

Volvo cars can be serviced at HABREC, 138 N.Domingo St., Gruppo Talyer, look for Wendel, someone was asking about it, ask my friend of MAKNA Mkt., the importer of Bilstien and H&R springs, that's the name he gave me.