# Volvo Opinions **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 6, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volvo-opinions/180130 "2003-06-06T17:42:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volvo-opinions/180130/21 "2003-06-07T21:17:24Z")
Sadly, and strangely, they have, **Zenster**. And it’s to satisfy the American market. Actually, I don’t know what the plan is right now. I guess getting away from Volvo’s reputation of being a boxe boring car for liberals, into something sexier. But quality _is_ down. I kinda like the way the new SUV looks, but I wouldn’t buy one. For a used car, and Volvo, try to find the last year they made the 850 (-97?), before turning it into the V70. The wagon, with the 2.5 liter engine is very very nice, combining the best of two worlds. I drove one, in my previous job, for a year. Never any problems with transmission or anything. Fast, drivable and reliable, while feeling safe. It’s alway good advice to get the last year of a model line, when all problems have been taken care of. I got the very first Pt Cruiser that rolled off the boat in Sweden. Yes, people took photos of me driving it down the street the first month. But my what a piece of crap that car is. Mind you, it was only made vailable with the tiny 2 liter engine, and automatic. And for a car that heavy… No way. I only had it for six months, and would gladly have taken the old Volvo back ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volvo-opinions/180130/22 "2003-06-08T03:08:06Z")
One more thing to add. Since you’re looking at a used car, I might not recommend the Accord so highly, if you’re looking for peppiness - I have a 2003 Accord, and it has a better engine and more responsiveness than the 2002’s. If you look at the road tests of the 02 and 03 Accords in Consumer Reports, you’ll see a marked contrast in all-around quality. I don’t know if you can get a used '03 that isn’t a lemon or wasn’t nearly totaled, but should you come across one I’d recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volvo-opinions/180130/23 "2003-06-08T14:52:42Z")
Yes, the Accord is nice, but remember they are also one of the ‘hot’ cars, they get taken alot. Might not be for high crime neighborhoods. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volvo-opinions/180130.md?page=1)