Faults:

One clutch replaced.

Power steering fluid tank replaced.

Drivers seat not so great anymore.

Everything is getting a little worn in the car eg. door trim, console. Surprisingly the carpets and seat covers are still fine.

The boot has rusted, but no other panels.

Exhaust was replaced by our mechanics at about 150,000km as the original rusted, and was made slightly larger as they said it helped performance, the originals are a little restrictive.

The windscreen has been replaced.

This car has a bullbar which has basically caused the front bumper to warp and hang down a bit, and all the trim around it to fall off. Saves us from kangaroos though!

Very minor oil usage, probably nothing above normal.

Radiator has been replaced, the car really didn't heat up above normal though until it was completely out of water! Only then did we find out.

Starter motor has died once, and so has the alternator. All replaced with reconditioned parts.

General Comments:

Basically this car is an all-original 500,000km car. About 350,000 of those were long distance kms, and I was about 5 when we first owned it. As I am now 20 and have driven the car for 4 years I can safely say we are not fanatical about keeping the car perfect, it just keeps going. I believe this is partly from such a good product, and partly from mechanics who know the car extremely well. They are not the local Volvo dealer, because they are useless. They are an independent mechanic and they have serviced the Volvo for as long as we have owned it, and done a mighty fine job too.

This car is content to move around town, but is really happy out on the open road where it can get a full head of steam.

The engine has enough power to move and move quickly if needed, but nothing that would ever make it sporty. It does have plenty of torque though.

The brakes could stop a train and the steering is wonderfully light with the power steering, but still retains all of the feel of the road.

Fuel injection is a real winner on the economy stakes (10L/100km on highway)

The air conditioning is a necessity for the summer.

If there is anything I dislike, its the fact that after the high amount of kms, there are a few rattles and squeaks appearing, mainly from that problematic tailgate.

It seems like a long list of problems, but they come few and far between in the 14 years of ownership, and especially considering the kms. I know the car will be charging on long after all my friend's cars have died.

Faults:

Well the fan belt had to be replaced when I bought the car, but the parts were included in the purchase, and there's a strange sound coming from the rear end, but bushings were also included in the purchase...

General Comments:

Slow, sluggish, ugly, pretty thirsty, but reliable and fun to drive when slippery.

This is my first car and I must say that I couldn't be more satisfied with it, it cost me 800€ and the only maintenance it has had is that I have changed the spark plugs, oil filter and added new oil.

It has never let me down, always started, even in the winter when temperatures were down to -20c.

The fuel economy is notting to brag about, on highway it gets 10l/100km and city cruising it gets 15l/100km.

Faults:

Not much has gone wrong mechanically, mainly just aesthetic problems.

Had to replace brake cylinder at 230000 kays, as brake pedal was sagging.

Dash board is pretty cracked, I put a cover over the dash to cover it.

Drivers seat collapsed. I got another one from a wrecker, and now it too has collapsed. Also, tension in seats is non existent.

Overdrive turns on and off when it wants.

Paint on roof is peeling.

Glove box cannot be opened.

General Comments:

This is an incredibly reliable car, it has hardy ever let me down.

Its not the fastest car on the road, but having said that, its not the slowest either, it does the job that is required.

It is fairly comfortable inside, everything is in working order (including the air conditioning)

It has the alloy wheels, and light green metallic paint, so it doesn't look too bad for a Volvo.

For a first car, it has been a dream to own, probably an ideal first car for everyone, not just because of it's reliability, and it's cheapness to run, but also because of it's safety.