Sometimes ignorance is bliss! ;-) At a bookstore, I was just browsing through Phil Edmunston's "2011-12 Lemon-Aid" book, an annual review of used cars (good, bad, ugly, prices, problem areas, recommendations) that's quite popular up here in Canada.

I suppose any source needs to be taken with a grain of salt sometimes. Edmunston (a lawyer and longtime used car critic and advocate) seems to poo-poo european cars mostly - with the exception of BMW - and is recommending japanese and Korean (ex. Hyundai is very highly rated by him in most categories; Camry is NOT recommended; CRV is highly recommended).

For the 2000's Volvos (Cxx, Vxx), he lists them as "not recommended" and "bad buys", citing numerous quality, build, and reliability issues. He rates their reliability 2/5, and safety 5/5. Problem areas: MT may not shift well into 1st and Reverse; musty odors from air vents; suspension resonance & vibration; engine knock, rattle; loose fuel lines. He does say the steering and handling is first class, and rates safety 5/5.

The 2003 V70 2.4 MT I test-drove felt and sounded good, and is a base model that should hopefully be spared some of the reliability woes, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't rather pay more and get a used CRV, which is a vehicle I've been eyeing for many years (like the Volvo wagon, also very versatile).

Any thoughts?