We have had 2 240--2 740--and now have 2 850. We have had over 200,000 on all the cars except the 850. We just got them cause we had a garage fire that took the 740 and our mercedes away from us. Yes I would say it would be a good investment to buy a Volvo and no they are not any more expensive to maintain mainly because they last almost forever. My son has an 850 t5r and he races it and is pushing 330hp and runs a 13.4 in a quarter mile with no major modifications. He has no problems and we were always working on his VW when he had them big money. Don't be afraid of a Volvo they run like a watch