A reader experience:
Good morning, Muffy-
Very much enjoyed reading your thoughts about Volvo wagons and I thought you might get a chuckle out of my limited experience in that regard.
Back in early 2017, we visited the local Volvo dealer intending to replace my wife Jan's 2015 Subaru Forester Limited (which I detested - for many reasons). The dealer had a few leftover XC70's on the lot, but Jan was particularly attracted to a new XC60, primarily because it came in a zippy shade of blue (photo attached). In what will not go down as the best decision I've ever made, I thought, "Well, it's her car, let her have whatever she wants."
Oh, how I wish we'd have bought an XC70!
The XC60 was actually a good car - up until it was time for the first oil change. During that service, the dealer installed a software update and from that point on it was one problem after another. As I drove away from that oil change, I noticed that the navigation system wasn't working properly. The display showed the car as being more than 100 miles away from where it actually was and the compass headings were incorrect.
So back to the dealer a couple weeks later where they installed ANOTHER software "upgrade" while I waited for 2 hours in the service lounge. After all that, the problem was still there, so they ordered a new antenna (which they'd apparently managed to break during the oil change).
I was less than thrilled with the dealer when they refused to come out and pick up the car when the antenna arrived and it was time for the 3rd visit to the service department stemming from what should have been a simple oil change, so I contacted Volvo USA. The good news? They interceded on my behalf, the dealer picked up and returned the car, and the navigation system was finally working again. The bad news? Now the satellite radio wouldn't work. It was stuck on "Acquiring Signal" as it would have been if it were parked inside and didn't have a clear view of the sky. I spent more than an hour on the phone (unsuccessfully) troubleshooting this with SiriusXM before we finally concluded that, once again, the dealer had broken something when they worked on the car.
So, off to the dealership for service visit #4 related to that oil change - where the car sat for more than a month while they tried to figure out how to fix it. During that time, I reached several conclusions: 1) My local Volvo dealer wasn't someone I could trust to service my car ever again; 2) Any time you're offered a free software upgrade, the correct answer is "No, thanks"; 3) When it comes to cars, less technology is better; and 4) I'm too old to spend any more of my remaining time on Earth sitting in service department lounges. I'll never again buy another new vehicle where the manufacturer doesn't offer valet service when it's time to go in for service.
So, when the Volvo came back after visit #4 and the navigation system was once again not working properly, it was a very easy decision to say, enough is enough. It's time for a new car - and not a Volvo. We're currently driving a new Mercedes GLE as our "nice car" (I have something else as "the dog car") and it's a delight. Would I buy a nice old, low mileage, well-maintained XC70? In an instant - bit it would only go into an independent repair shop for service, not the local Volvo dealer.
Best wishes!
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| Sent by Reader |
Thank you. “Leas technology is better.” Keys and a heater please.
ReplyDeleteAgree. Although, as analog as I am, I have become quite partial to heated seats and a heated steering wheel. Definitely helps while the heater gets up to temp.
DeleteI concur
DeleteLord, how I hate all the new bells and whistles! Much more of a pina in the neck than a convenience to have all that stuff. As someone else has said, I do make an exception for the heated seats and heated steering wheel.
DeleteWe have had a 2010 XC60 and now a 2019 XC60...both vehicles have been great. And we've had no particular service issues with our local dealer. Volvo is a reasonable quality car compared to other current manufactirers and models these days. Don't let one reader's bad experiences deter anyone from cosidering purchasing a Volvo.
ReplyDeleteYes, I (the owner of that blue XC60) agree. It was an excellent car. The problem was the dealer's service department. We're still tempted by various Volvo models, particularly the XC90, but the local Volvo dealer is the only one for 200+ miles around.
DeleteThere were very few cars less reliable than Volvo. Some seem to be in love with the memory of what they were. That is gone. That was another time and another car.
DeleteThis. It seems to me that many people think Volvo is still the company that made the 240. It has nothing to do with that company, and the cars are completely and utterly different (some of this is unavoidable given the very different regulatory environment). Certainly, I know many people my age have very fond and romantic memories of 240's (and 164's, and 740's etc.) I suspect Volvo has benefited handsomely from these memories.
DeleteMy brother in law has had a lot of similar problems with several new Volvos. I do not know, but I suspect he is regretting his undying loyalty to Volvo, mainly because of his extreme difficulty in obtaining satisfactory correction with his local dealership.
ReplyDeleteThe new normal.
ReplyDeleteI have a good friend who had a two year old XC 90. While driving it burst into flames. I think I would pass on that.
ReplyDeleteOnly vintage for us! I can raise the bonnet, and know what lays before me!
ReplyDeleteAn engine that you can work on. Not a computer chip that needs replaced.
DeleteFor what it's worth, Volvo comes in 31st out of 41 in Consumer Reports' "Which Brands Make the Best Cars?" based on road tests, safety, reliability, and owner satisfaction. Subaru is first.
ReplyDeleteHappy to go for second or third best
DeleteVolvo ran astray after 1998. The cars since then have never been the same.
DeleteWe recently bought a well-maintained 2007 XC90 from a diplomat here in Europe who was required to sell it to someone who would register it with diplomatic plates. It just came back from our local mechanic (not the Volvo dealer) for routine servicing, fluids, new sparkplugs, etc.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what issues I should especially look out for (in terms of preventive maintenance) for a Volvo this old? It doesn’t have much technology compared to newer models, which is a plus.
We had a water pump fail catastrophically on ours of this generation. The engine seized and we were out a car. It was caused by very cold Upper Peninsula of Michigan weather, but still thought I'd mention it.
DeleteI didn't think it was legal to drive a car with diplomatic plates unless you were a diplomat?
ReplyDeleteThe only logical upgrade from a Subaru is a Lexus. New Volvo quality has been going downhill for years.
ReplyDeleteI drive a 2009 V50 station wagon. I love it. Not alot of bells and whistles but, I can load it up and go. A good mechanic is a blessing!
ReplyDeleteLong term Volvo owner here. Many, many Volvos. Some have lived for a long time, some have died catastrophically. One saved my life. I love them. My current car is a 2012 XC70 with 106k purchased from Carvana (thanks to the previous owner, Bruce in New Hampshire-- whoever you are!). In regard to the OP's letter to Muffy - my personal opinion is that the current offerings by ALL car companies are "going downhill". This also applies in general to almost ALL things one "has" to purchase these days. From food to footwear, good luck finding something that is "the same as it used to be". Filler, cut corners, and the ever-present desire of companies for more profits is pushed on to us, the consumers of goods. Most companies no longer have the desire to make quality items. These days, most companies make the lowest acceptable thing people will purchase. We are all victims of crapflation. That being said, buying something that is the best you can afford and *gasp* COMMITTING TO KEEPING AND MAINTAINING THAT ITEM FOR THE LONG HAUL is where you will really start to notice this difference. I like to imagine that the people who gravitate to this blog are of the same mindset. The hard pill for most people to swallow is that in order to get something nice, you must pay for it, and you must pay to maintain it. But, if most people cut out things like 10 streaming services, DoorDash, and copious amounts of alcohol to "deal" with the current state of our world, maybe they would have an easier time swallowing that particular financial pill. The car dealership is never in the business of maintaining your car. Sure, they offer it as a service, but that is not their business. What they are in the business of is selling you financing, the car is just the item they can exchange with you for your commitment to pay them interest. The independent mechanic however is in the business of maintaining your car. Find a good one, keep them. Even if maintenance at the mechanic is not 'covered under warranty', it will be worth every penny in the long run because you will save thousands by not buying a new car every 2 years like Mr. Wormwood wants you to.
ReplyDeleteYes, and whether they are cared for properly or improperly, Volvos are at the bottom of the list for reliability.
DeleteAnon 3:19… you are right. An independent, honest, mechanic is invaluable. But they are almost as hard to find as a good seamstress, a good cobbler, or a good tailor. However, go out and buy a pound of salt. It has not changed, as my mother would say, “one iota,” “from what it used to be.”
DeleteI stick to Porsche and BMW…if well maintained, they will last a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteOne must always aspire to own both a "good" car and a "dog" car.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely
DeleteNo question about it! (OP here.) If you opened the rear door of my "dog car" on a warm summer day there would be no doubt that THAT is something you couldn't do to a nice car. Best dog car we ever had was a Honda Element - wish they were still made. Fairly ugly, extremely spartan, terribly wind noise on the highway, but wonderful for dogs,
DeleteMy sister and my daughter in law both drive ancient Honda Elements. They share a parts car that is kept at the mechanics! Both have giant dogs.
DeleteAll of the above are why we keep a 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer as our "spare" third vehicle...it can be a problem in itself - but can usually be fixed easily and earns its keep in the family !
ReplyDeleteI always liked the idea of Volvos. My grandparents had a 240 back in the day and it was a terrific vehicle. I, on the other hand, who rarely buys new cars, have found good luck with Toyotas. I December of 2009, I found a clean 2002 Lexus LX470 with low miles and a very decent price from a dealer in an adjacent state. They drove the vehicle 250 miles to me to inspect it on a virtual over the phone handshake. If the car was as clean as they said and the test drive went well, I'd give the driver a check. It went very smoothly and I drive that rig today with ZERO drama, just maintenance. Today, it has 141k miles on it. I think it had somewhere in the low 60's at the time of purchase. I suspect it'll be the last vehicle I own. Oh, I get it serviced at the local Toyota dealer. Lexus' is 140 miles away.
ReplyDeleteI have acquaintances who own both American dealerships and dealerships selling for import edvehicles. Every last one of them talks about how they get substandard labor. One of them goes as far as taking his car car to the local mechanic because he doesn’t trust his own mechanics. According to most of these people, the only service that should be done at a dealership is warranty work. Something to think about.
Delete346,000 miles on my Audi A6 Quattro.My daily driver.Amen to the denunciation of dealers.Wortless! Established,well reputed mechanics-yes! It is a 2003.
ReplyDeleteIf one decides to own a Volvo today, an extended warranty is a necessity (really this goes for any vehicle that you plan on keeping for awhile...which is likely most people reading these posts). That being said, I have a 2019 XC60 that has been exceptionally reliable and trouble free.
ReplyDelete