Dan,
The key is finding one that hasn't been abused. I purchased mine in October 2012, it was a one owner car with 93K miles, had apparently been well maintained and regularly serviced. Potential pitfalls are the angle gear, which is the takeoff for the driveshaft to the rear differential from the gearbox. Repeated abuse, such as donuts, smokin hairy burnouts, etc., can cause these to fail rendering the car FWD only. Everything electrical is highly computerized, and functions you wouldn't think would be linked are. Such as when the battery in the alarm system fails, it can prevent the sunroof from opening and/or closing. The active chassis control, which allows you to adjust ride siffness and throttle mapping via pushbutttons on the dash can head south, and the struts which contain the adjustable valving aren't cheap.

Around town I average about 18-19 mpg, interstate trips yield about 23-24 mpg.

For a better overview, check out Swedespeed.com. The have an R forum for S60 and V70 R's, which is a fantastic technical reference for any potential problems.
That being said, mine has been trouble free, and everything works.

In a Nostatician move, I sold my Highlander after two years (I just didn't like it) and bought this, 2015 Tundra. My old Ford 150 has been moved to farm duty full time and I will be installing a Tommy Gate on it this Thanksgiving.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1416670531.jpg

I put a solid black bed cover on it and have been averaging 16 in mixed driving, 18 on the highway.

Mine:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1416677407.jpg

Now don't laugh as I was able to do this with it last time I came home from my brother's place in N. CA on a Saturday morning, and on Regular gas too. :D


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1416677511.jpg

'08 MS3 most days....
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj...Ucnmn/$_57.JPG


and a '91 318is when it's nice out...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1405005732.jpg

Seahawk,

That thing is a BEAST.

Chevy truck, take-home company car.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...f/P1070003.jpg


Honda Passport for non work stuff. Not really my cup of tea but it has low miles and nothing has needed repair in eight years of ownership so I'm keeping it until something expensive breaks.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...e/DSC05025.jpg

Hate Snow
 

5 speed, everything works at good as when it was new. She'll get 20MPG if I'm easy on it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1416710229.jpg

Our new DD is a Toyota Venza Limited. We are very happy with it. The car was the best wagon for the money that met our requirements for AWD and at least a V6. We got it at 0% financing, etc. I like it more than I expected that I would.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1416714857.jpg


On weekends, etc I usually drive our 2008 Envoy Denali. There is just something about a V8 in a midsize SUV. :)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1416714937.jpg

Mine is a 1994 VW Golf VR6... It's now travelled 310,000 kms with the orriginal engine or gearbox.

But according the the internet my car is problematic and unreliable.
Sure it has had it's issues but I've always been able to fix it and it's never been to a pro mechanic. It's been the cheapest car I've ever owned.

(Things I've replaced, Starter motor, fuel pump, water pump, heater core, bits and pieces from the cooling system)

I'm looking around for a replacement but there's nothing that reaches out to me.

I was thinking maybe a Jag with Ford running gear like the S Type but they're big compared to my old VW.
A late model BMW is also on the list but the reported reliability issues worry me.

I'm pretty sure the VW's down under arent made in Mexico.

I had guessed that was the problem years ago considering most complaints were coming from US based forums.
Are the Mexican cars that bad?

Yes, mine was made in Germany. It is getting old but what alternatives do I have?

Spark plug removal on the Ford equipped S-Type requires removing the intake manifold. At the same time, be careful not to get the electrical harness caught on anything as the wires are half as thick as any other harness.

Late model BMWs specify 12,000 mile oil change intervals. They also don't tell you how much oil it holds if you service it yourself. No dipstick as well.

I'm really impressed with Volvo. Modern Fords as well.

so, one just runs it on faith that there is oil in the crankcase for 12K miles?!

2003 e-39 bmw m5. 7 years ownership and 155k miles! don't need the four doors anymore so I am beginning to search for the next dd. have it down to sls, vantage gt, or f-type coupe r. all seem fun but the sls really has my attention. a spectacular car built like the rock of Gibraltar and seems like a car that if taken care of, will hold its value better than most.

Is there a gauge on the dash instead?

The dip stick would have to be one of the best inventions ever.
Why would BMW mess with that?

Some good stuff on here. With my new venture I just drive whatever I have at my shop that seems like fun. This has been getting the vote a LOT. If I could only have one car, this might be the one that I'd have.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps5618636f.jpg

The 996 C4 Tip. Bought it to drive it. What's the fun in just looking at one of these machines?


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1416748694.jpg

Dave:

Thanks for the heads up on the S60R. The complexity of modern cars is somewhat scary for me as I am facing a not so well prepared for retirement and complex repairs could stretch my budget too much. However, there should be some relief in rather reasonable wrecked cars for parts. A simple package makes sense. Fwd does provide enough straight line stability for the conditions I encounter in northern Mi. So far as going through snow and crud goes the usual limiting factor is ground clearance. Once the chassis is up in the air, even awd won't get you going. Up hills on ice the awd will be far superior, but that is not so prevalent and some kind of a run at a hill is usually an option. I'm going to keep my eyes open while I drive the wheels of the old Saab and the Silverado 4x4s. That diesel with 6 I Pikes will go where others fear to tread. One night I bought a Saab in Detroit and loaded it on my car trailer. A snow storm was brewing. By the time I was 100 miles north, there was at least 8 inches of unplowed crud on the road and the dually just pulled like a train on rails in the near white out conditions. I'm not into abusing machinery, but I like the mechanical capabilities and machinery noise. The picture shows what I woke up to the next morning. The second picture shows two of my winter beaters.

Dan



















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