Faults:

Front passenger side suspension almost completely replaced and still clunking!

Rear wash wipe has never worked.

Rear electric window packed in.

Boot lock dodgy.

One headlight wiper jammed then snapped off.

Wash wipe stuck on.

Rear seat belt broken.

General Comments:

OK so I know these are all faults to be expected with a car of such a mileage, but it's just one after another.

I have always owned post 100,000 mile cars, and bought the Volvo as they are meant to be tanks, but it has became a real pain.

The front suspension has been a nightmare. I have had the wishbone, CV joint and stub pin replaced, and it's still not right!

Because of this, this is the third set of tyres on the front. NOT PLEASED! The last set (non budget as a treat to myself) lasted a whole 5000 miles, and were down to the wire on the inside. Lucky I noticed when I did.

My wash wipe has stuck on. I had to take the fuse out.

The most annoying thing is that with the side lights on (I switched the thing so that they are not on all the time, as that is lame) when you switch the engine off, the lights on the dash go off, though the side lights are still on. No warning. Flat batteries ahoy!

It guzzles the fuel, but is still as slow as a week in the jail.

I think my rear strut is away. I want to cry.

It's real comfy mind you.

Faults:

Sensor fault at 55000 miles. £155 to put right.

Coil burnt out at 56000 miles. £200 to fix.

Driver's door window switch not working. £160.

Another sensor fault, 61000 miles. £180 to fix.

Hazard warning light switch not working. £57.

Driver's door lock falling apart (Volvo dealers words). £95.

An 80000 mile service that cost £1011, and the car came out with one front brake binding so badly that it could not be driven...

General Comments:

This is a very nice car, very quick, and handles well.

The service from Volvo dealers is very very poor, and very expensive.

Faults:

One of the seat heaters packed up shortly after I got it (warranty paid up).

Other than that, and a couple of blown bulbs, utterly faultless.

General Comments:

Probably as close as you can get to a "do anything" car.

Capable of blowing away most things off the lights thanks to 250 bhp and 0-60 in around the 6.5 second mark. The 5 cylinder engine sounds gorgeous and has power to spare at all engine speeds. Lovely chuffing and whistling noises from the turbo plumbing and exhaust which makes a nice change from today's sanitised turbo installations.

There are some torque steer and traction issues, but you learn to drive around them. Being progressive with the throttle allows power to be put down cleanly and smoothly in most scenarios. It's too big to really chuck about on B-roads, but it's capable enough to keep up with most things. Handling is actually surprisingly good given careful use of the throttle. All this is especially satisfying considering my 17 year old nephew called it "an old farts car". Until I took him up the road of course. Now he wants one!

Like most Volvos it has a beautifully finished interior with a light maple trim and good quality leather. Totally squeak free at 119,000 miles. Everything works, and has always worked apart from one seat heater which turned out to be a loose connection rather than a component failure.

With all this performance and ability you get the usual Volvo estate practicality, meaning a huge load area, low loading sill and good enough build to shrug off the occasional rough treatment.

The car is mechanically bulletproof. The engine has never been apart yet still uses very little oil. I'm still on the original turbo and original clutch (although the latter is getting tired now). If anything the engine feels quicker and freer revving now than when I got it at 47,000 miles.

Downsides? It can be dreadful on fuel. 25 mpg average is OK for 250 bhp, but 14 is my worst on a tankful. Ouch! Insurance is heavy too. Other than that, I cannot seriously fault it.

It has main dealer services at the recommended schedules and that's it - it just keeps on going. No sign of any problems yet beyond the forthcoming clutch replacement. At 117,000 miles on a 250 bhp car, this is not something to gripe about in my opinion.

Fabulous car. I'd have another tomorrow, although possibly the AWD version.