Would you buy another Volvo?

[ianarc]

Now on my 2nd Volvo in 8 years and would take some persuading to move to something else. My g/f swapped from a BMW Z4 to a C70 which she loves so much it's the first car she's had for more than 3 years.

[rippedoffagain]

I had a 940 estate which I loved more than any car I'd had previous to it. For reasons I wont bore people with I got something more economical. What I saved in fuel I spent on never ending repairs, and I stopped enjoying driving.

Then my Renault Laguna bit the dust. I stuck ads out all over asking specifically for another 940 estate. Found one, bought it, love it.

[dmcneil77]

First Volvo was a rustbucket 144. Fantastic seats and heater though, and it made me smile. Plus, it never broke down. An underrated quality in a car. Red leather seats as well.

Second Volvo was a 164E. As rusty as the 144. It liked a drink, but I forgave it that, as it went went like smelly stuff off a shovel when the go pedal was fully depresssed..embarrassed a few hot hatches in a straight line. And still a superb long distance cruiser.

Currently in the final few months of a three year leased C30...excellent car: reliable, economical, chuckable handling, and a quiet (laminated window option) and comfortable (these Volvo seats again) cruiser. I chose the cranberry leather seats as it remined me of the 144.

XC60 is on the replacement shortlist...waiting to see the facelifted version.

[gordonr]

currently on my 4th volvo 2x 440,s and 2 classic s40,s the last of the four i have only had for a month and loving every minute of driving it , especially in the cold mornings with the heated leather

[Big feller]

I have had 144, 265, 340, 440, 480, 2 x 940 and now a V50.

Based on Volvo's customer support - or lack of it - I will not be buying another modern Volvo. I may well buy another 940.

Since Volvo are unable to diagnose or fix problems on the ever more complicated units on newer cars, the bills become prohibitive.

I bought my current 940 for £2000 three years ago. Even if a major component fails, it is probably going to be repairable for less than that. If I buy a V50 for £5000 and get a minor fault on the gearbox, it could cost £4500 to fix.

I just can't afford to take that risk.

[SteveF1]

I am genuinely impressed with my XC60 apart from my resent problems which are not car related. It's well built, drives well and apart from the very average fuel economy I'd buy again.

My only issue is with the dealerships. The buildings tend to be pokey and unloved, the facilities akin to a local kwik fit and a million miles away from what I experienced at BMW which was often like a 5 star hotel!

If Volvo want to class themselves as a luxury car brand and increase sales to those of Audi, BMW and Mercedes then it has to address this and their cars resale values.

[Yngve72]

I am a long time Volvo owner. Purchased my first in Sept. 1972. It was a 245E. My fifth Volvo a 1998 V70. This is longest that I have kept one.

[don kalmar union]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

I am genuinely impressed with my XC60 apart from my resent problems which are not car related. It's well built, drives well and apart from the very average fuel economy I'd buy again.

My only issue is with the dealerships. The buildings tend to be pokey and unloved, the facilities akin to a local kwik fit and a million miles away from what I experienced at BMW which was often like a 5 star hotel!

If Volvo want to class themselves as a luxury car brand and increase sales to those of Audi, BMW and Mercedes then it has to address this and their cars resale values.

One of the attractions of the Volvo brand was the ability to distance oneself from some of the aspects of BMW and Merc ownership in terms of not wanting to be seen as a brash arriviste, estate agent, banker...whatever.

Nothing wrong with Volvo dealerships not being shiny palaces for those wanting a certain brand reassurance in their upwardly mobile, maybe thatcherite, sharp elbowed, 'out of my way little man' lives.

In my view Volvo held some interest for those wanting a highly respected brand amongst the more thoughtfull and civilised amongst us.

A slightly worn dealership without the investment of the owners' in obvious bling for arrivistes sits well with me if it is clear that there is investment and commitment to good service, advice and the very best of employee relations.

Regards, Don.

[SteveF1]

A slightly worn dealership without the investment of the owners' in obvious bling for arrivistes sits well with me if it is clear that there is investment and commitment to good service, advice and the very best of employee relations.

For me the dealer experience has been anything but professional and the service very average and that's putting it politely. Volvo UK were poor at dealing with my complaint and they lived up to the widely held opinion around here of being utterly useless. If that's what you want out of car ownership then you must be a gluten for punishment.

BMW by contrast had the 5 star showroom facilities, complimentary services whilst waiting for my car to be serviced and when I did have an issue with my car BMW UK were only too happy to help hiring me an Avis rental car to the spec of my own whilst the problem was rectified. Then to top it off they gave me a full 12 months extended warranty to the value of £600 as an apology.

There is a reason why Volvo is attempting to emulate the likes of Audi and BMW because they are the ones selling luxury cars at staggering rates despite the recent recession while Volvo has for many years stagnated and fell behind the pack. People want more from cars and dealers these days and considering the price Volvo charge for their cars and servicing (on a par with their German rivals) they cannot afford to scrimp anywhere.

It's not about expecting 'bling' at a dealership, its about expecting a quality service from start to finish. If you pay top dollar for something you expect to get what you pay for and at present Volvo are some distance behind the owner experience of a BMW. As stated the car itself is great but the aftercare is lacking.

[Dibble]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

A slightly worn dealership without the investment of the owners' in obvious bling for arrivistes sits well with me if it is clear that there is investment and commitment to good service, advice and the very best of employee relations.

For me the dealer experience has been anything but professional and the service very average and that's putting it politely. Volvo UK were poor at dealing with my complaint and they lived up to the widely held opinion around here of being utterly useless. If that's what you want out of car ownership then you must be a gluten for punishment.

BMW by contrast had the 5 star showroom facilities, complimentary services whilst waiting for my car to be serviced and when I did have an issue with my car BMW UK were only too happy to help hiring me an Avis rental car to the spec of my own whilst the problem was rectified. Then to top it off they gave me a full 12 months extended warranty to the value of £600 as an apology.

There is a reason why Volvo is attempting to emulate the likes of Audi and BMW because they are the ones selling luxury cars at staggering rates despite the recent recession while Volvo has for many years stagnated and fell behind the pack. People want more from cars and dealers these days and considering the price Volvo charge for their cars and servicing (on a par with their German rivals) they cannot afford to scrimp anywhere.

It's not about expecting 'bling' at a dealership, its about expecting a quality service from start to finish. If you pay top dollar for something you expect to get what you pay for and at present Volvo are some distance behind the owner experience of a BMW. As stated the car itself is great but the aftercare is lacking.

A friend took his 3 year old 3.5 S Type to his Mercedes dealer to have the rust spots! removed and was given a very basic 3 door Kia courtesy car. He even had to wind down the windows manually!. How dreadful (his words). Half a mile down the road is the Volvo dealer where the service is excellent and they even speak to you if you turn up wearing jeans. That does not happen if you call into the BMW dealer in the next town. A lot of those guys in their big glassy palaces kid themselves on. They are all just working men trying to earn a crust like the rest of us. I bet there are a few of our Forum members here have a few stories to tell about this attitude.