12th Feb 2020, 08:01

I heard, thanks for the link. I live in the UK and mines is a manual transmission though, and seems OK even at higher mileage. Seems to be a lot of complaints from USA automatic versions. Anyways, the main problem with cars over here (and not just Volvo; this affects many other manufacturers) is the increasing cost of repairs for electronic issues or wear and tear on modern cars, it has doubled in recent years, making keeping cars like this for a long time very hard; it is just never worth it when they get older. You could say that about any car I know, but I remember keeping cars for 15 years or more back in the day - now they do not seem to last as long!

13th Feb 2020, 17:39

According to the link given, the S40 (WHICH IS WHAT THIS REVIEW IS ABOUT) doesn't suffer any gearbox problems. You are aware Volvo use different gearboxes in different models and engine options aren't you?

13th Feb 2020, 19:54

Nobody buys Volvos because they're reliable. If you want a reliable car, you get a Honda or Toyota. Because Volvos cost an arm and a leg to repair, often require weird, Volvo-specific tools and parts, and are pretty much on par with many other euro brands of cars, meaning sort of mediocre to poor reliability, and abnormal wear and tear on components.

9th Jun 2020, 15:55

I think that's what the original reviewer was getting at though - Volvo were reliable cars, back in the day. People did buy them for reliability, among other things like safety. Japanese cars have always been pretty consistent with reliability also, but no more or less reliable than a Volvo from the same time period, such as the 1980s, 1990s or whatever.

But Volvo and many other manufacturers, according to reviews on here and elsewhere, are now making cars too complex and cause a lot more issues on them as they get older. Certainly cars in the last 15 years or so. Yes we have seen major improvements in safety, performance and security, but long term reliability/durability on any newer cars in my experience of 40 years of various cars (and reading reviews), has not improved. For example my current 2013 Volvo S60 has caused me more headaches than my old 1995 Volvo 850 ever did. The reviews of others reflect this as well, so it is not just a one off anecdotal experience.