Hello everyone ----

I have owned 3 Volvos in my life. But I have also owned 2 Chevrolets. I use a Chevrolet as a daily driver (I drive all day at work) and my 850 for fun and games. I must admit, I have been very happy with my Chevrolet cars (1991 Corsica and '92 Lumina APV). They have been extremely reliable and engineering isn't THAT bad as people have made out American cars to be. I feel like my Chevys can take a lot more abuse than my Volvo can. And Volvos seem a lot more temperamental and picky when it comes to repairs and parts. The bottom line however, is that nothing puts a smile on my face more than driving my 850. But I feel that GM cars are excellent "beaters" to have for work. I have used a 240 once for work, and repairing it can seem obscure at times when compared to the straight-forwardness of American cars. Anyone agree?? Don't get me wrong, owning a Volvo is worth more than its quirks : )

I'm pretty disappointed with the reliability and cost of repair parts for my '96 Volvo 850. Overall reliability in my experience has been no better than the Ford Taurus I previously owned or the Olds minivan which is my wife's primary car.

When I bought the Volvo I expected to get high quality for the premium price. Instead I feel like I have gotten an average car for an above average price.

Recently I test drove a well equipped Mercury Sable and a Volvo S80 on the same day. The quality of driving experience on the Mercury was every bit as good as the Volvo, yet the price of the Mercury was over $10,000 less. I can bet that the price of repair parts down the road will be much lower for the Sable as well.

IMO, Volvo has not lived up to it's reputation. Volvo sales are suffering as a result. Spending the same money on a new Acura gets a person a much better vehicle than does the same money spent with Volvo.

John

I have two Chevrolets and a Volvo. My Chevys are a Suburban and a Corvette, and both have been much more reliable than the Volvo. For what they do, I consider both to be best in class, and I consider my Volvo to be average at best compared to other premium sedans. Overall, I've been much more satisfied with my Chevys than with my Volvos. That said, I won't run right out to trade my Volvo for a Malibu....

Of all my cars in 30+ yrs of driving, the most dependable car that I've ever had was a '79 Buick Regal with a Pontiac 4.9 liter (301 cid) engine, 350 trans. It had few problems during the years I had it and was inexpensive to maintain, repair when needed. I had that car over 10 yrs (got it for free from my grandfather in '90), it got good mileage for a V8, AC ALWAYS worked (not once did it leak, need a recharge), it always started, didn't burn even one qt of oil between oil changes. Granted, it wasn't pretty, wasn't fast or fun to drive but it served its purpose.
I then gave it to my son when he got his license and not even he could kill it. It did get a tad rusty but then it's 24 yrs old with over 170K miles. It still lives, he gave it to another guy who's suppose to be restoring it.

I like my old Volvos but they're quirkier (initially, until "debugged") and has definately cost me more to own in parts.

From Consumer reports: problems per 100 vehicles, vehicles ranging from 1995- 2002 models. based on actual responses from 480,000 readers:

Chevrolet 69 per 100 vehicles
Volvo 70 per 100 vehicles
Ford 56 per 100 vehicles
Lincoln 47 per 100 vehicles
Hyundai 53 per 100 vehicles
Toyota 25 per 100 vehicles
Mercedes 73 per 100 vehicles
Audi 64 per 100 vehicles

Industry average is 55 per 100 vehicles

Rather interesting isn't it ?

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You will never leave where you are until you decide where you would rather be - 2002 V70 stk, /w /tinted windows

There you have it, they're about the same as far as overall complaints YET when you consider ALL the various model choices of "Chevy" in general compared to the few Volvo models, I'd say that's not too bad for Chevy in comparison.

MY 740 HAS 250 K MILES ON IT, 5SPEED NEVER GAVE ME A LICK OF TROUBLE. i WOULD DRIVE THAT ONE FROM NJ TO CALF AND NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. MY 1996 850 GLT IS A GREAT CAR, ENGINE ALWAYS STARTS, MY HUSBANDS CHEVY TRUCK ON THE OTHER HAND, THAT IS ALWAYS IN THE SHOP. KELLY

"There you have it, they're about the same as far as overall complaints YET when you consider ALL the various model choices of "Chevy" in general compared to the few Volvo models, I'd say that's not too bad for Chevy in comparison. "

Indeed, they are rated by their owners as less troublesome and they cost thousands of dollars less! look at the Hyundai, 53 problems per 100 vehicles. I believe that you can get one for a mere $12,000.00! but they aren't as crashworthy as the other makes and of course fewer bells and whistles equals fewer problems.


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You will never leave where you are until you decide where you would rather be - 2002 V70 stk, /w /tinted windows

It might be hard to generalize on "all Chevys vs all Volvos" because both companies (like most others too) have made good cars and some terrible cars as well. Sometimes it's a matter of luck as to whether or not you're fortunate to get a good car from either company.
I've owned many cars, repaired far more over my years as a tech and I've owned several decent GM cars (Chevys, Pontiacs, Buicks), Fords and old Chrysler products too. I've also owned 4 Volvos, still have 2 700s. I can't really complain too much about domestic cars in comparison as one thing's certain, they're definately cheaper to maintain. Domestic car parts are seemingly "free" compared to even my dealer prices for any similar Volvo part and for those who pay for repairs, finding people who work on domestic cars is far easier too.
I think Volvo body parts last far longer if you're the type who keeps old cars a long time but to many, that's not that important.
As for safety, a #1 reason why many buy newer Volvos, I'm not sure that todays Chevys are much less safe. I have a neighbor who has one of those newer FWD Impalas and last summer he was t-boned at an intersection by a guy with a large p/u truck doing about 55 mph. He had his 2 kids in the car and although the car was totalled, non of them were seriously hurt (non were hospitalized), just bruised from the seat belts mostly. He bought another one just like the one that got totalled and told me that that car was rated well for side impacts. I guess so! I wouldn't have thought that a car like that would have been that safe but considering that accident, apparently even Chevys today are fairly safe.
It then becomes a choice as to what you like, image, etc. To be honest, todays new Volvos are so troublesome that they no longer impress me. I wouldn't buy a new Volvo and I see them, work on them everyday.

I had a NEW Chevy rent-a-Cavalier a few years ago, and my 8-year old SAAB was tighter and more rattle-free. It also handled a whole lot better. I walked away shaking my head in disbelief as to what buyers will put up with for the security of that Chevrolet bow tie!

So a Saab. Maybe a Pontiac Vibe but only because it's really a Toyota Matrix whch is a Corolla station wagon.

-Punxsutawney Phil

... a Corvette, a full-size truck or a Suburban/Tahoe. Still I'd buy a GM or Ford over a Chrysler product any day - except the Viper, which won't happen unless I win the lottery :)