The Volvo turbos tend to be very reliable, as Volvo sets them up very conservatively. Also why they are easy to tune and upgrade, as lots of potential is there. How mechanical are you, much Volvo stuff can be done by the self motivated.

Proactive maitainence is the key to avoiding massive repair bills, so the individual car history is critical. Yes, the Jap cars will likely be cheaper to keep going, but they will not be as much fun to drive.

Plus, there is no comparison if you are in a crash. Volvo drivers walk away from accidents that would kill in most cars. Europeans routinely drive at much higher speeds than the US, who routinely drive faster than those in Japan. Guess who puts the most emphasis on safety?