The only way these puppies make any sense is if they're driven for a "long" time.

It just doesn't make economic sense to lease a car that's supposed to be good for 250,000 miles and turn it back in after 3 years and 35,000 miles.

No matter WHAT the mechanical repairs are, it can almost never be cheaper to buy a new car!

I don't want to take mine on my daily 5AM 100 mile commute anymore, but within a 20 mile towing radius of the indy Volvo shop, yeah, sure.

I'll keep it for 10-12 years, and it just turned 8.

When to trade?

1.) When leaves me or my "significant other" stranded frequently -- not awfully likely if it's well maintained by a competent shop.

2.) When vastly superior technology is introduced. My previous SAAB had no airbags, no traction control, and no ABS.

3.) When it develops terminal rust -- maybe on a 240, but not likely for a FWD-AWD Volvo.

Mine is developing a nice "patina" now, but it still doesn't use any oil, and it's still fun to drive. And I don't have to worry about all the door dings in shopping centers.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 166k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Adams (1952-2001)