Faults:

Dashboard clocks worked very intermittently after 100,000 miles. This was due to the earth having come undone due to a bad mechanic, and being jump started from a 96 Hilux eight times in one day!! Oops, known problem in S60 and V70 derivatives. Volvo say YOU NEED A NEW ONE @ €1200. Rubbish!! Got one from scrappies for €50 30,000 miles ago with no problems. Yet...

General Comments:

Am personally doomed to a 96 Series III Toyota Hilux Surf during the week for 800 miles per week. Have a 99 Porsche Boxster for weekends. Would take the missus' Volvo any day over those two for any journey.

Faults:

Front knocking noise from suspension. Being sent to garage.

Carpets have some wear to them (not too important!)

The runners for the front two cupholder are broken so the cover is loose (p.s. please help with suggestions as to how I can sort this... tks!)

Nothing else.

General Comments:

Having owned a 1998 Vectra di for the past two years and 65000 miles, this is a world apart.

I am 20 and do pay too much insurance, but its worth it for the comfort and power from the fantastic 2.0t engine. Driving 500 miles a week is nice to be done in a relaxing and comfortable car, the Volvo does that superbly.

My friends and family asked me... why, when I showed them what I bought - but after looking more closely and taking a drive in it, they were surprised.

Call me old before my time, but I love the style of the car. I think its sleek and besides, with those 17/225 wheels, it really does look the part.

Mine only has the half leather, and the seats aren't heated. But the climate control works a treat, whilst my stereo is sublime.

The carpets have worn with a few tears evident, but I bought a set of mats from Volvo - which look fine.

Cruise control ideal for the long motorway commutes!

Performance for me is amazing. The power delivery is smooth, refined and the engine has an impressive growl to it when exceeding 4000 revs!

I enjoy driving this car. Its comfy, quick, (i think) stylish, and it makes me really look forwards to making an otherwise dull, long and slow journey.

Fuel consumption is not good around town. On a run it is better. But be sensible and you can see mid thirties. To be honest, I Don't CARE...!

Nothing makes fuel any cheaper, so if you have to do a high mileage, spend a bit more - and ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!!

P.S. guys, please, any help on my hinges for the cupholder would be appreciated - as would any comments on my post.

Thanks for reading!

Faults:

Cold starting problems (Still not fixed after 4 attempts)

Battery goes flat if car not used for more than a week.

Too many squeaks & rattles.

Rain sensors unreliable (Intermittent are better)

Electric seats keep resetting themselves.

Gearbox very jerky when in traffic.

General Comments:

Why did Ford have to poke their nose in and lower the quality of what was once good, reliable & solidly-built cars? I have driven Volvos in the past and have been very impressed by the build quality and solid feel. I'm sorry to say, but, the one I have now seems to be falling apart at the seams with one problem after another. The dealer appears to do nothing to fix it and they say, "We downloaded new software" is the fix to everything - it's not! I picked my car up recently after attempt no. 4 to fix the cold start problems and the dealer even put a dent in my rear passenger door and curbed an alloy wheel for good measure. I have contacted Trading Standards and I am considering formally rejecting this obnoxious lump of metal and demand a realistic refund allowing for minor depreciation. The only nice things I can say about this car is that the seats are very comfortable and the audio system sounds superb. This is also the first great-looking car that Volvo has built!