Volvos....if they're good, they're good, but if they're bad, they're very bad. I've heard of problems with 960s, buy you're the first I can recall hearing of with multiple problems with a S90 (which as you know is essentially the same car). That Volvo actually offered you an extended warranty does suggest there is some hope for the company.

I don't have any logical explanation, but this does seem to happen, and especially with Volvos. Perhaps it's cars built after a long weekend, or at the wrong time of year. I don't know. I do think they're among the safest cars around, and that's why many of us put up with the problems.

My V70, purchased new in September 1997 had exactly ONE problem up to 10,000 miles. It had exactly ONE new problem from 40,000 up to the present 61,000. Between 10,000 and 40,000 it was truly the "Volvo From Hell", with, I think, about TWENTY separate problems. Mostly minor problems, but it was enough to encourage me to buy the extended warranty.

Anyway, good luck. And thanks for the idea. Maybe leasing IS the answer with Volvos, if it's a "good" one, you can buy it at the end of the lease, if it's "bad" just return it.

None of my comments are at all helpful, I'm sure. However, there are plenty of sympathetic ears here.

-Whitey