Volvo vs. Subaru?

[chasineyes]

Does anyone have some thoughts about maintenance/rapairs on a volvo vs. subaru. We're looking to buy a "wagon" but I have a bad feeling the volvo would be quite costly to fix?

[JOHNBIGDOG]

Ford Taurus X, or a freestyle? (Just a sugestion)

[PurpleFloyd]

We have a 2005 Freestyle AWD and my wife loves it. It gets good gas mileage and has been very reliable to drive.

Personally I believe a Subaru would be more reliable over the long run on average. Everyone that I know that has had one loves them for their dependability and AWD.

[Jeremy airjer W]

If you plan on doing your own maintenance or repairs than the subaru will be the better choice. Volos are not that hard to work on but some of the repairs are in really tight place along with the lack of easily accessible service information.

I just had a Volvo in the other day that the customer let a blown turbo seal go a little two long. Over 7 grand to make the necessary repairs!

[CJH]

Subaru tends to have a better reliability reputation, but do tend to have a problem now and then (just like everybody else does).

Volvo's are known for their safety, and are a little more of a premium vehicle. I believe their quality rep is middle of the road.

[titelines]

Never owned a Volvo, but we looked at them when making our "wagon" decision three years ago. Reliability and the cost of repairs did enter into our decision as well. Long story short, we ended up getting a Subaru Outback and cannot be more pleased with it. Have had absolutely no problems with it, average about 24mpg and it has a very smooth ride. Above all, my wife feels very safe in it, and it's a tank when it comes to snow and ice. Ours is a 2007. Some friends of ours have a 2010 with the new body style and absolutely love it.

[McGurk]

As a owner of 2) Subies and over 150k driven between the 2 of them, I wouldn't hesitate to get another. Nothing out of line as far as repairs so far, and they have been comfortable, reliable, and easy to drive. I have an '06 Tribeca (70k) and an '01 Outback (170k), and bought them both about 3 years old as lease returns. The newer wagons are HUGE compared to the pre-'04 versions, but with the same 2.5 flat four so they might seem a bit anemic (especially with the CVT, which I would steer away from unless you want the higher mileage). I wish the flat six was more available in the outbacks, and they were a bitmore tow-friendly for a boat or small trailer, but the Volvos are no better in that department IMHO.

After the Outback is retired (if it ever dies!), I'll let my wife drive the Tribeca and I'd like to get a WRX hatch for funzies!

[Jeremy airjer W]

That WRX will is an amazing vehicle. One of the few vehicles that have taken me by surprise on test drives!

[fish_eat_sleep]

If your looking at new, buy a subaru outback. I don't know anyone that doesn't like theirs so far. The newer ones anyway. if older than 05'/06' then maybe volvo. consumer reports had some negative stuff for the older generation of the smaller subaru engines.

someone correct me if im wrong. I tend to like the new subaru's

[asdfdrew]

I had an 06 Subaru Tribeca until last week. I loved that thing - unfortunately it just couldn't replace my Silverado crew cab. As previously stated no unreasonable repairs and everything I worked on was really easy and accessible. I can't speak to the Volvo side but I would not hesitate to buy the wife a subie if she wanted one.

[BriGuy88]

Just purchased my 4th Subaru last Saturday so I'm definitely a believer in the Subies. The AWD is a huge selling point for me as well as the safety and reliability. Can't speak to the OP's question about reliability of Volvo's but it's been nothing but routine maintenance on all of my previous Subaru's.