Faults:

Gear shifter had to be replaced.

Tailgate trim constantly coming loose.

Sunroof leaked.

Latch to release rear seat to fold down failed.

Trunk (boot) latch failed.

Interior tailgate opener has failed.

AM reception very poor.

Safety lights in door have come loose.

Too many squeaks and rattles to mention.

General Comments:

Where do I start with this car... should have read most consumer advice web sites or magazines before buying. They all say avoid this car! Too late, now I'm stuck with it. Having owned it for not even three years it's almost lost half ($) what we paid for it. If you like high mileage Volvo wagons, they're going cheap!

Buying a used car will always have its risks, but I checked CARFAX for a full history, one owner and fully dealer maintained. Purchased from a Volvo dealer. I don't think this car was abused by previous owner, I think it was very poorly designed.

The only good qualities about this car seem to be the engine and gearbox... with the Turbo it's a very powerful and smooth power train. I could live with this car if the seats offered more support (I suffer from a bad back) and there were less rattles.

Faults:

Oil Cooler lines from transmission leaked at 120k.

Tricky repair, but not too expensive.

ABS and auto traction have failed, but I dislike ABS so will not repair.

General Comments:

Excellent all round vehicle. Great seats and interior appointments. Excellent power and transmission.

Several squeks and rattles. Handling only fair and ride poor on bumpy roads. However it the King of the open road. Very Fast.

Faults:

One and only fault:

Rear window wiper faulty.

Things that could have been done better:

Alarm was removed; in winter storms in the mountains all it did was drain the battery ensuring you couldn't start the car in the morning. Kind of normal problem, but I think a Swedish car could have been designed better.

In very low temperatures (well below freezing) it sometimes happens that one of the doors won't unlock due to condensation in the door frame freezing while the car is standing. Very annoying. Also happens on my Audi A6 company car.

Eats front tires; but for 300BHP through 205/45R17s that has to be expected.

Would be nice if Volvo supplied protective rings for the rims of those 17" titanium wheels (which cost a fortune). In European cities its kind of impossible to park without hitting a loose/tilting curb-stone on an occasional basis.

A little reminder: Doesn't handle quite like a true sports-car, but it *is* a station-wagon and still out-corners most cars on the road hereabouts if you know what you are doing.

General Comments:

The car is spec'd at 250BHP, but I had it re-tuned to 300BHP at 13000km (8000mi).

The car is, despite sport-chassis and lowered/stiffened suspension, extremely comfortable as well as extremely fast and the fuel-economy isn't too bad either; around 10l/100km when cruising steadily on the motorway at 130kph.

The leather sports seats give sufficient hold when flexing horses on mountainous roads and the slight fish-tailing on those hairpin-bends becomes a great deal of fun. Wider tires (e.g. 225/45R17s) wouldn't go amiss, but, sadly, are not permitted in Austria under *ANY* circumstances due to vehicle typing - this would require re-typing the vehicle at a cost of around EUR 1000 plus some work on widening the wheel-arches. Not worth it - not yet anyway.

The 300BHP will take the car from 120kph/70mph to 200kph and beyond in a very short time indeed and I can do a 0-100 (0-60) in around 6.5 to 7.0 seconds if I can find a good surface to do it on. The car maxes out at around 270kph (165MPH) but handling (or what passes for handling at that speed) already feels flaky at around ~220kph. Due to its weight (1900kg with a full tank and a passenger) it is very important to remember that at higher speeds, >200kph/130mph, you are AIMING the car rather than steering it!

Standard sound-system is still installed, 8spk 4x75W w/3 CD-changer and the quality impresses people. Passenger seat - and even rear seats, is/are very comfortable - when going on group-vacation into the Alps people argue over who gets to sit in my car.

Loads of space in the back to put luggage, skis, hiking-equipment and so on in - it really *is* a sporting vehicle!