Well, I purchased in 2000 a 1999 Volvo XC70AWD with 25k miles from San Diego Volvo Dealership in Kearny Mesa. The car was demo model that belonged to the dealership manager.
In the first week we had a minor problem that we had to take the car back to be fixed. That should be a sign for what was coming. I wished I had returned the car then. For the next 4.5 years this car was a story of misery and betrayal by Volvo to a loyal customer.
This car was my 3 Volvo. My wife had a old station wagon and myself have currently a S70 sedan. We decided to exchange my wife's old wagon for the new cross country. The car at first seems wonderful. After few months problems start and until the last day it never ended. I am not going to itemize the list of problems just because is enormous.
I just going to say that I spent over $12K in maintenance and repairs for absurd problems that Volvo and SD dealership would not take care of it. My warranty took care of most of the problems in the first years. We drive a lot, so the 50K miles expired after 2.5 years. From that point on major engine and brake problems happened and we always had the car being taken to the SD dealership to bee fixed and we always kept a maintenance schedule on time.
Brakes is another major problems in the XC70. Every time we took the car it was a major ordeal that would evolve pads and rotors with a major cost over $1500 to fix it. The brakes would not last more than 10k miles without getting to be replaced. ABS computer failure it was also part of our experience with Volvo.Our last major problem was a engine failure that cost us $3.5 to be repaired.
Some people might say I was unlucky. But after talking to few Volvo owners and with my S70 having same kind of problems it is hard to believe that I am so unlucky. The car is just not able to hold normal wear and tear after the first years.
What is most depressing is that the Dealership and Volvo could not careless to all the problems I had. Basically they just said that some car had problems and it was normal and I was out of luck in getting any breaks or discounts on fixing the car. So basically the SD dealership acknowledge that the car was bad and did not care.
I have to say that on the positive side the car drives nice, it's good looking and it's safe. But that's about it.
One of my happiest days was when I trade that Volvo for an Acura MDX. The joy of seeing the Volvo going away was great.
I have to say that Volvo is definitely not part of my life anymore and I have no plans to get another one anytime soon. My S70 will be traded soon. So Volvo, bye, bye!
Bookmarks