Faults:

Cooling system appears to have leaked and been patched rather than properly repaired prior to my purchasing this car as the patch still has a minor leak. I have not had this leak repaired yet as it has not gotten any worse in the two years that I have owned this car. But that fact that the system failed at all does show one of the weaknesses in the design and/or manufacture of this car by Volvo.

The struts are starting to fail.

The Dynamic Stability & Traction Control (DSTC) system occasionally loses compression. Not life threatening, but annoying nonetheless.

I've owned 2 Lexus, 1 Subaru, 3 Toyota, and 2 Fords (many with higher mileage, older when purchased, and purchased for less) that have been more mechanically sound than this car.

General Comments:

The handling of this car is nothing spectacular. But when packed with 4 adults (all 5ft 10in plus) and 1 child, and the boot loaded to the brim with luggage, it was not only still comfortable and roomy for everyone, but it was also extremely well balanced and responsive when pushed around some fairly tight hill cornering. Big thumbs up for this Volvo.

However, I'm very glad that I didn't purchase this car new, and can understand why it devalues quicker than it's rivals in the resale market. It's really not worthy of it's prestigious billing or in the same league as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, or Lexus. In fact, I purchased this (used) for less than a Toyota Camry of the same year, mileage and condition.

Faults:

I bought the car second hand with 60,000kms on it. The only problem was a faulty wheel bearing which was fixed under warranty at time of purchase luckily as I was told it would cost around $800 to fix. I used to travel 1,000kms a week to get to work and back. At first the car ran smoothly and was fantastic cruising on the freeway, how-ever my dream run was about to end.

80,000kms: Radiator blew a hole causing transmission fluid to run into the cooling system. Luckily the computer detected a drop in the coolant level and advised me to stop the car immediately. If this had not happened, I would have run transmission fluid through the cooling system and probably blown a head gasket. Cost to repair $700.

90,000kms and onwards: Car would idle roughly when hot. Had this checked by three different shops and they all said nothing was wrong. Also the ash tray kept popping open all the time and had trouble closing. This is great when you use it to store loose change and then decides to pop open when you have left the car encouraging thieves to break in for some quick cash.

100,000kms and onwards: Emission system service light would illuminate and then go out after a week. This went on and on. Also 10 disc CD stacker acts like a roulette wheel. Most times it says CD error, but on the odd occasion it will play a CD even though 10 seconds earlier it said error.

110,000kms: Window regulator bolt on drivers electric window snapped in operation resulting in window being stuck. $1,000 to repair. The other passenger window is experiencing similar problems and bolt will no doubt snap soon. Better start saving another $1,000.

120,000kms: The emission system service light finally refused to go out. I was told to fix it required two oxygen sensors at a total cost of around $1,400 to repair. I was also informed that after doing this repair, the existing engine idle problem had worsened and that the throttle body cable needed replacing. This added another $1,000 and then throw in another $800 for a service, I walked away almost declaring bankruptcy.

130,000kms: One of the folding mirrors refuses to fold in. Why that will be another $650 thanks. I opted to leave it broken.

140,000kms: Surprise, surprise, the emission system service light is back on again and won't go away. Having read other peoples comments I am now wondering if the oxygen sensors ever needed replacing at all and perhaps the real fault was an error in the computer system!

145,000kms: Cooling system hoses burst. Again I was alerted to the loss of coolant and avoided major problems. However it cost $500 to have two hoses replaced.

This is the final straw. I have had the car for sale for 15 months and have had two calls. Nobody wants them so don't buy one!

This car new was close to $100,000 new and I was just offered $10,000 for a trade in and I still owe $30,000 on it.

I figure I'll cut my loses and get rid of it as I know of about $5,000 worth of repairs still to go to fix another wheel bearing, the broken folding mirror, new pads and rotors, emission system (again) and its 145,000km service.

General Comments:

Putting aside the expensive repairs and servicing, the car handled well and was great on the freeway. The stereo system sounds amazing and the integrated car phone solved all the problems not being able to talk on a mobile while driving.

I often had people come up to me to tell me what a great looking car it was.

Faults:

At around 50000 km the engine cooling fan failed to disengage after engine had been turned off. Ran the battery flat.

Computer faults have occurred.

Engine mount was replaced.

General Comments:

Lots of legroom.

Very roomy esp. in the back seat.

Side mirror impact folding works like a charm, once scraped a parked car's mirror with my own at fair speed. The mirror folded and didn't even have a scratch.

Very, very luxurious!!!

Great leather seats. Very comfortable (front seats are heated) Excellent electric seat controls for driver seat.

Dash buttons and controls are excellent. There are thumb buttons on the steering wheel to make calls with.

Very good steering and control, although sometimes the car feels a big too large for the city.

Good brakes and engine, fairly meaty.

Very safe and smooth ride.

I feel it is a little too expensive.