People SHOULD know this before they get into a "new or newer" Volvo. I dont care where you buy it from(a new one that is), because how many times do you deal with the sales dept over the years.....not too many. I live just outside NYC in Hoboken, NJ, and there are a about 15 Volvo dealers within 1 hour of my home.....now to the point..... These cars NEED to be taken care of by a dealer service dept that is on the ball. I have no loyalty to ANY sales dept, but when I find a real quaity dealer service dept(IMHO the best ones are Volvo only dealers)I stick with them. I am in my second Volvo now a 2000 S70/GLT....and the first was a 91 240. I bought both cars new....kept the 240 for 10 years/130K mi. and on my S70 I have about 30K right now. Both cars have been serviced at the same dealer(not the dealer where I bought them from), and thats the only dealer service I have been using for the last 11 or 12 years. They get all my work(I can do quite a bit of the stuff myself, but why?)but for wheel alignments. I am 100% happy with this service dept. their prices are fair, they find and correct any problem the first time, they have given me plenty of "good will".....and the best thing is they know their shit. This is my point.....before you buy a new or late model Volvo you NEED to know of a high quality volvo dealer service dept. anything less will make your ownership a nightmare.
Just a few more things. At 30K mi. my 91/240 had more warranty work done on it than my 2000/S70. The S70 with a 11/99 build date has been OUTSTANDING to say the least. Yes it did have a few problems(these cars are not made by God....even if some people think they should be for $40K)that were a one time thing. Yes it does eat break pads....so what they stop very well on a all OEM set up. Harsh ride....they handle well(people should test drive a car for a few days). Parts cost too much....shop around...you dont HAVE to buy parts from the dealer who services your car if they cost too much there.
Another thing I always buy a Volvo VIP new car comprehensive extended warranty. Volvo VIP has many many types of extended warranties...new car, used car, cert, comp etc. For what I payed I know I will get more than my money out of it by 70K mi.

So....all in all I would buy a 03 S60 in a heart beat. These are fine cars....they just need a real dealer service dept to service them.....OH and they do NEED to be serviced(mine get mobil 1 and a Mann every 3K....this also lets my service tech keep a eye on things).

So...overall I think 90% of Volvo owners are happy with their cars...its just on a forum like this one that you will find the "cry babies"....I dont blame them for crying....they should just find a dealer service dept who cares about the work they do!

sorry for such a long post...my longest in about 4 years here...but cry babies piss me off.

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Steve F. in Hoboken, NJ