14 replies to this topic

[Psychler]

Here's the scoop: A cyclist rode into my 95 850 the other day, took out the fender and top of the hood (as he rolled over the hood after leaving his bike!). 210,000 miles on my car, uses about 1 qt oil every 1000 miles, and is now losing anti-freeze internally.
So, it would be time to move on. I have $28,000 saved. I could (1) buy a new Subaru Outback (2) buy an older Volvo wagon for $20K and have $8K to play with.
I don't want to shoot the whole $28 on a used car. I like wagons. I want a comfortable, quiet and efficient car that will last a long time. I am 61, and I don't want to have to think about getting another car for a while. We are long time Volvo owners (124, P1800, 240, 740, 850, S40). I had a Mercedes wagon for a while, not that impressed.
What would you do? AND...how do you do it? Dealers? I don't trust private sellers, no warranty, don't have the time.

[flyfishing3]

where do you live? do you need awd?

new is always new. you wont have money to trick it out. but you'll be saving headaches etc.

i love wagons myself and will always have one. so you need to decide if you want a car to play/work on, or get in and drive.

watch out for us cyclists.

[Psychler]

where do you live? do you need awd?

new is always new. you wont have money to trick it out. but you'll be saving headaches etc.

i love wagons myself and will always have one. so you need to decide if you want a car to play/work on, or get in and drive.

watch out for us cyclists.

I live in New York (Long Island)...no need for AWD...and, I too, cycle...big time ... And vegetarian also (40+years)...

[phunktified]

this one looks nice: link

[Mesoam]

I would look at this car, fairly local to you too

http://forums.swedes...ergen-county-NJ

[James A Sousa]

We bought this new Volvo FWD less $1000 loyalty rebate and $860 for two payments rebate - $28K with 5 year wear and tear warranty. We went shopping for a $24k used car and couldn't resist getting this new one.

Thank you for getting in touch with us. I'm happy to give you a Sale Price of $29,925 on the Volvo XC70. I know the importance of finding the right vehicle at the right price and that's why we're immediately giving you this great offer.



Click here for more details on this vehicle! http://loveringautog...8115c654435.htm

Would you be able to stop by today or tomorrow to drive the Volvo XC70 and see what other discounts you might qualify for?

[cruzer555]

I hate subarus... Get the Volvo, duh, it'll last four times as long... Plus its a luxury car, more powerful, blah blah the point is for $20k you can get a TON for your money on the used Volvo market. Hell I'd take a $10k Volvo over a NEW Subaru any day of the week, Volvos rule!

As for which Volvo I'd say get a mid 2000s V70 T5m... But you may not like manual and thats fine, just makes it easier since manuals are rare.

Oh and if you don't trust private sellers, I'd shoot for a one owner at the Volvo dealer.

[burnout8488]

Subarus are legendary for reliability, they go forever. The body isn't as rust-proof as a Volvo, I'll give you that, but the N/A boxer-4 cylinder is an engine that just keeps going and going.

Total cost of ownership with a Subaru is probably much less as well, being Japanese. Just depends on which car floats your boat more. If you've got the cash, now and in the long run, go with a Volvo. It'll be comfortable and still look great in 10 years.

[cruzer555]

Trust me, not all Subarus go forever... I've seen one owner, dealer maintained N/A boxer 4s blow up at 70k miles from those flimsy headgaskets they are famous for. DEALER maintained its whole life and that did nothing to save it from the fate of terrible engineering.

Volvos are overengineered, they are tanks built to last through the apocalypse, while Subarus are underengineered, built to perform well until they are several years old, but once they age the "just enough" engineering philosophy fails them. Sure every brand has its followers, and Subaru certainly has plenty, but I believe that most of that is from the beautiful job their marketing department does, to make up for the lack of engineering.

I'll agree with you on the last point, cost of ownership, but only if bought new... If you buy a used Volvo, say a 2005, and a 2005 Subaru as well, they might be a lot closer in price than you'd think. And the Volvo will have a lot more life left in it at that age too.

Back on topic, I'd say to the OP that the red V50 on SwedeSpeed linked to by Mesoam looks sweet, and so does James A Sousa's deal on a new XC70. I'd get either of those in your situation. I hope you do stay with Volvos.

[burnout8488]

True on the head gaskets, but they usually fail very gradually, and if caught in time the HGs can be repaired and the engine will live for another decade. Those poor 00-04 cars gave Subaru a horrible reputation...but the gaskets were equally as horrible too.

They're two brands that appeal to many of the same demographics but are set apart by Volvo's indestructible nature

[theForgottenone]

How about a used xc60? 3.2 is cheaper.

[James A Sousa]

Just got back from MN - 3500 mile trip

Figured out my mileage

My first calculations on our 2012 XC 70 - we call her Jane, as in Plain Jane.

She is a fwd wagon with NO options. I called 3 dealers to find her.

Our mileage so far - around town - 986 miles - 20% highway = 23,39 MPG

on a trip - 3545 miles - 98% highway =26.37 MPG - this included driving across Ohio, Wisconsin, and half-way up Minnesota at 74 MPH and 2 hours at 110 degrees going through Chicago.

total miles 4831 = 26.98 MPG

I guess my wife is a pretty good local driver!

The computer says - average speed 40 MPH - average MPG 27.5

I think that a difference of .52 MPG is pretty accurate!

[Mesoam]

I actually didn't know they made a FWD XC70...

[Keaton85]

I will toss another one in there. Personally I would look at the new style Jette TDI wagon! Great fuel economy, extremely smooth plus the sunroofs are sweet..

My wife and I are looking at a newer vehicle and it's was a V70R, V8 S4 or a TDI.. Haha the TDI lost only due to use being young and wanting a lot of power.

Definitely not a Subaru, horribly clunky motors. They run like the timing belt is installed wrong, all the time! Not even close to as smooth as the Volvos or the TDI.

XC60 looks very promising. BUT go check out a fully loaded Jetta TDI, they are a good compromise between the two and gets awesome fuel economy!

[Psychler]

I will toss another one in there. Personally I would look at the new style Jette TDI wagon! Great fuel economy, extremely smooth plus the sunroofs are sweet..

My wife and I are looking at a newer vehicle and it's was a V70R, V8 S4 or a TDI.. Haha the TDI lost only due to use being young and wanting a lot of power.

Definitely not a Subaru, horribly clunky motors. They run like the timing belt is installed wrong, all the time! Not even close to as smooth as the Volvos or the TDI.

XC60 looks very promising. BUT go check out a fully loaded Jetta TDI, they are a good compromise between the two and gets awesome fuel economy!

I fell for the Jetta TDI Sportswagon until I got into the driver's seat. While the seat was comfortable, the console was too close to my right knee/calf and caused my knee to 'rest' on the side of the console. Not to have it touch the console, I had to pull my knee away. No way that I could drive like that. After a 20 minute test drive (which the car performed flawlessly), I was very conscious of the leg room problem. Just not wide enough in the cockpit for me...and I am only 5'10". The dealer said that he had heard this complaint before...deal breaker for me.