I understand your frustration, but it still does not change how I feel about my Volvo and any of my Hondas. After all, it is those little $700+ timing belt replacements, $432.00 front brake jobs, $800+ dollar clutches, $100 plug wires, $36 air-filters, $450 muffler and connecting pipe, $236 "B" pipe, $200 valve adjusting and every 30K mile maintenance deals. My Hondas were more costly to maintain then any other car I have owned. Sure they never "broke down" but they were always in the shop getting preventive maintenance. To me that is more like a nagging housewife. At very least, my 850 turns heads, unlike any of my Hondas. Sorry to be so dead set in my ways, but after owning a total of 14 cars in my life, I would say that I have enough experience to express my opinion, justly. Furthermore, what I suggested about driving a Honda after getting out of your Volvo is exactly what I did. In fact my Accord has only been driven for 20 miles since I bought the 850 a couple of months ago. There is no comparison between the cars. European cars are just built to a different standard. IMHO, it is a much higher standard.