Faults:

General Maintenance: Oil changes, filter/spark plugs, etc.

Extraordinary repairs: Exhaust was replaced, cat back, once; fell off its mounts and had to be replaced again (shoddy work by non-dealer repair shop)

Struts were replaced because of wear (very cheap!)

Brakes were replaced because of wear.

General Comments:

The age and mileage of the car do not put it in the same class as what most drivers would first choose for a commuter car. In fact, I'm getting a 2003 Jetta to replace it because of my need to commute long distances. Typically, as a first car/runabout car for short distances, this car is perfect. I wouldn't trust it for commuting simply because of the distance factor for towing and such.

The car is exceptionally well made. Although it is not the best handling car on the road, it actually has an exceptionally excellent blend of road handling, control, power, and comfort, that most cars of this age are incapable of. It is exceptionally roomy, simple, and easy to work with. All controls are clear, easy to use, and nice to work with. The car is one that you can honestly depend on, and that's highly reassuring.

The turbocharged engine is intrusive, noise wise, but provides more than ample power. The transmission has NEVER been anything, but exceptional in operation.

I have little to complain about. Simply put, I'm replacing it because of its age, mileage, and the fact that hey, its not a cool car to drive anymore.

I have never brought this car to a dealer. At this age, such a move is ridiculous, becauase the car is not worth the repair costs!

To the cars benefit, it's still running strong and has NO RUST on it at all. Winters in NJ can be rough, and it has seen its fair share of snowy conditions. Volvo is a company that should be proud of its heritage. These cars are exceptionally well made. Good job.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong yet, but I suspect that in a few hundred miles the started and the A/C compressor will need to be replaced. When I start it up it usually takes a few turns and sometimes when I put it into reverse or drive it stalls.

General Comments:

Other than that, I with it had more get up and go, but it is a non turbo, the car weighs 3000 pounds, and to my surprise it actually out accelerates my past 2003 Ford Taurus. The only other thing that peeves me is that when I am slowly accelerating from a cold start there is a little bit of metallic noise during gear changes and from the exhaust, but that goes away. And I can't tell if the previous owner has changed it to r-135 *4 cooling liquid. I bought the car for $2600 from a local owner who had taken very good care of it. The car is 16 years old, so things, especially the plastics in the interior, are starting to get brittle (hazard light button, third taillight cover, seat belt buttons, door pockets, a-pillar shrouds, driver side lumbar adjust screw (yeah, the big white one in the seat), but that and the rest of the maintenance is acceptable for a Volvo and the cars age. After all, a fine machine needs fine maintenance. I can easily see this car lasting me until at least 300,000 miles.