[BenjaminD]

I posted a 2018 S90 T5 AWD on the February unaffiliated finds thread for sale with 217k. I am almost certain it was used by a livery service -- which seems more common now that Lincoln doesn't make sedans. It looked pretty good.

My opinion? Life is short. If I'm putting astronomical mileage on my car, I'm doing it in something I really like.

 

[BenjaminD]

Well, this thread has been reassuring for me. My grandmother's 2018 XC60 T6 has about 14k on the clock, last I knew. It should make a good hand-me-down to my mother or I when she finally gets sick of driving – but that might be a while!

 

[BenjaminD]

WHO THE HELL IS BUYING R8s AND ASTON MARTINS FOR THEIR BUSINESS??? MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!!! IN WHAT WORLD DOES THAT MAKE SENSE????

 

[BenjaminD]

Pfff. I am so tired of having to debate this topic. @Tech, I'm with you on this one, the math doesn't add up. I have plenty of imagination but I do live in the real world Hopefully we can get this thread back on track with some real world information about VOLVOS!

 

[BenjaminD]

Time to 'clamp down' on the 'scores' of posts about brake rotors and 'drum' up some more high-mileage Volvos that we can 'disc'uss

 

[BenjaminD]

403,000 km V60 2019, Italia View attachment 196379

Alright, that's nuts

 

[BenjaminD]

Highest mileage T8 so far! 390,000km Norway View attachment 196526

I knew it was possible!!

 

[BenjaminD]

I expect that 10+ years of PHEV development will also help make Volvo's EV motors and batteries more reliable in the long term. It's quite possible that the electric age will be good for the brand's general perception as being somewhat high-maintenance. I'd have no worries putting 200k or 300k on an electric Volvo. That'll be a thread for another time

 

[BenjaminD]

@MyVolvoS60, I would wager that cars will stay ... about as reliable as they have been since the 90s. The improvements being made in component quality etc will probably outweigh some of the added risk inherent to more intricate electronics. Keep in mind that carmakers need to produce cars that are reliable enough not to tank their business, but 'needy' enough (whether or not they're reliable) to keep service departments in business. Toyota for example has taken the path of producing reliable cars, but I would bet that it makes up lost service dollars with the 'Toyota tax' (and also with the cost streamlining possible with such a large corporation).

I think Volvos are let down by some of their electronics, like pretty much every car these days. Then again, electronics aren't guaranteed failure points like bad engines or bad transmissions (of which the company has certainly produced a few in its time). Their engines and Aisin transmissions, now that we are leaving the oil-burning years behind, seem robust. I frequently drive >20-year-old Volvos at my job with well over 300k on the clock, and they're just fine. The SPA cars seem to be tough, and their use of modular parts and aluminum components will certainly keep them on the road longer.

 

[BenjaminD]

I would say even the best designed cars still need regular maintenance and service. Oil changes, Alignments, and tires are the routine. Part failures become standard as a car ages, which means revenue through service.

Even though Toyota and Honda are known for cars that will last their owner ages, neither are immune from the day to day expenses of car ownership. Plus, people do upgrade their vehicles, even if their old work horse still functions "OK".

Remember a car from the 1990s isn't nearly as safe as a car from today. Most cars of the 1990s era didn't come equipped with frontal airbags and such was mandated until the end of 1998 Even a more modern 10 year old car (2013) lacks safety features that are standard on 2023's (accident avoidance, etc).

Long story short, people still upgrade if not for unreliability, then for safety and comfort.

Can a modern Volvo make it 300k? 500k? 1 Million? That's to be seen....



Post oil consumption, it's too early to judge the long term reliability of Volvo's Engines. I would hope they are robust and long lasting, but I think all cars end up having one or more points of failure. Per your 20 year old Volvo, I surmise engines back then were far less complex than a 2023 turbo. The Volvos that made it a million plus miles were even less complex and from the 1960s.

Some good points here, I certainly agree that all cars will need maintenance and faults addressed as they age. There are definitely differences in service revenue across brands though. Things have changed a lot, but carmakers have learned (MORE OR LESS) how to build reliably complex cars. An old Volvo with a million miles would need its carburetor tuned and its oil changed every 3,000 miles, and would probably age worse than a modern vehicle with newer, tougher, more efficient components. To your point about upgrading -- I think the market evens itself out (without wanting to sound Laissez-Faire). Consumers will dictate, more or less, how much complexity is necessary in cars. Some of Volvo's recent software problems have drawn the ire of customers and dealer service departments alike. Volvo will learn from this and probably focus on its powertrains again (in a perfect world at least). They are going in the right direction with the newer VEA engines. I read and hear reports of late model 4cyl Volvos doing 200k with ease.

Sorry if I have been a bit rambling!

 

[BenjaminD]

Nice. That's a car I would like to put mega mileage on.

 

[BenjaminD]

My boss just junked his 2010 V70 with 175 K miles. There was a transmission issue and then the engine made a grinding noise which set a check engine light. Otherwise, the car looked like it was in good shape.

I would've bought it!!!

 

[BenjaminD]

An XC70 is certainly a car (if not THE car) that I'd be willing to put 460,000 miles on. The sheer comfort and relaxation of the driving experience would make it so much easier to survive long drives. That blue 2012 is a testament to good maintenance, and I suspect the owner is a bit of a neat freak (a good thing), as the paint looks immaculate. I love to hear that it still brings a smile to their face.