Volvo V70 wagon vs. Ford Focus wagon

[Spazdog]

If you stretch just a little past $5K, you can get a Mazda3S hatchback.

No, it's not a true wagon, but it is 90% of the way there. It has no roof rails but that can be easily fixed by Thule, Yakima, Rola...etc...

It's a global car developed by Ford, Mazda, and Volvo so it's got some Volvo chassis and safety DNA coupled with Ford's suspension design fine tuned by Mazda's engineers at the Hiroshima test track. It's generally regarded as the driver's car in the segment.

I'm of the opinion that the 2.3 MZR/Duratec is as good as anything Toyota or Honda puts out. It's definitely availiable with a 5-speed.

 

[cycleman]

Look at a Honda Fit as well. You'd be able to buy a newer vehicle and they have proven to be very reliable. We've owned 2 an 07 ( had 100000 miles + on it ) and currently have a 2012. Stay with the LX model ( if you get that one in the US its the middle model ), they make a sport model as well but for the extra money not always worth it in my view. They use a chain to drive the overhead cam not a belt, so you don't have that issue to worry about.

Very flexible interior that you can haul just about anything. Do a web search or two and you'll find out lots of info on these cars. Very well rated.

 

[Kestas]

It sounds like you may also be interested in a Pontiac Vibe / Toyota Matrix. I'd lean toward the Pontiac version because it's the same car, and you'd be paying a premium for the Toyota name.

 

[rjundi]

Focus is decent enough but a smallish car and as such has those attributes. Not an Accord.

Another choice is Subaru Legacy or Outback.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: Pajamarama
this is pajamarama's wife. with the volvo, which is what i am leaning towards, what mileage should we try to stay under? 150k? or is it okay to go up to 190k? are the 2000s as good as the 1990s? how old is too old for the v70? how much longer will a 1998 last? i know volvos are great cars and built like tanks and so think it would be a good choice. but, how much life will it actually have?

Hello Mrs. PJR!

Re: Mileage. It depends: coastal car? Where roads are salted and winters are brutal? In Georgia, I'd say no worries there. The Volvo 5 cylinder motor is a proven design, so is the auto transmission in my 98. More recent auto transmissions, not sure about. The newer Volvo's are a different design (P2 chasis I think?). So I'll have to defer to others like Astro and VolvoHead (where is he BTW?) as the 98 is the only Volvo I've ever owned.

As for me, I intend to drive my 98 till it's totalled in a wreck, or the wheels fall off as it's familiar to me, I do all maintainence/repairs except where a lift is required, it's long paid off, and parts are easy & reasonable (mostly) to obtain. In other words, I have no reason to buy something else.

How much life you get out of one depends on many variables and a bit of luck: Weather, driving style, keeping up with repairs & maintainence, rust, etc. Like anything else mechanical, some are hard on their cars while others take care of them.

I'm looking for mine to go over 350,000 mi. After all, I took a 1985 SAAB 900T to 256,000 before I sold it 14 years later after buying it new. The V70 is more refined, smoother & quieter than the 900T.

Re: dealers vs. individuals. I bought mine from a dealer who'd been unable to sell it (for some reason). It had about 11,000 mi on it and had been maintained by them. All updates, checks, etc. so no worries there. However, I took it to my own mechanic who is familiar with Volvo's and paid him to take a look underneath while it was on a lift. In addition, I'm very mechanically inclined and a keen observer so I gave it a look over myself. We all concluded it was a good bet.

So you need to find an independant mechanic who is very familiar with Volvo's and get an opinion, regardless of who you buy it from.

 

[Norm Olt]

Just take a trip to the local Volvo dealership and find out what their parts mark-up and labor rates are...

A nice, clean, rebuilt 145E or 245... Maybe. These can be worked on without breaking the bank.

A front wheel drive Volvo wagon with over 100-150K miles? Be prepared to bring your checkbook & credit card when (not "if") things, either mechanical or electrical start going South.

Cheers!

p.s. Astro14's experience is an exception, IMHO. Take a look at the vehicles in his stable and you'll see many which require both the experience and expertise of a knowledgable owner with mechanical abilities.

 

[Pajamarama]

pajamarama's wife again. what about the volvo v40? i found a 2000 with 172k miles. how's that sound?