At 14.5yr & 180k mi, my troublefree '90 Dodge Shadow ES Turbo 5sp, which I had bought new off the showroom floor, was in need of replacements. One of the elderly church ladies had soiled herself in that poor car while I was in a drug store getting her prescription filled. A brother-in-law brake job on an old lathe got my brake rotors out of round. It stunk and would shake your eye teeth out. My '93 Dodge Dakota club cab was in need of a heater core - and seemed like excess. I bought it new 9/92 - 8/04 seemed like 'time' to buy a new car for me. My '05 Liberty will be four in August - and I still love it.

I bought a '70 Audi, '73 Alfa Romeo Berlina, and a '76 FIAT 131 - all new. You bet they were all good driving/handling cars - but they all loved attention - and, those Alfa's even demended burnt offerings - regularly. My first new MOPAR in '84 made me a convert - there is more in life than yanking an Alfa engine out just to replace an oilway plug ($.14) in the crankshaft. I still have the tools - a few parts - manuals - but nine Alfa Romeos later, I enjoyed driving again - with A/C!

In 8/04, I elected to buy a new MB ML-320 made-in-Alabama SUV - or it's latest variant. After a cursory look, I looked harder at an '04 Jeep Liberty - then the '05s came out - and I bought one like I wanted, 2WD '05 Liberty Sport 3.7L/AT. It has ~35k mi on it now. At 31k, it's overall mileage - since 2.7 mi on the odometer - was still 19.37 mpg. Not great, but it's heavier than a Grand Cherokee, has the aerodynamic shape of a cinder block, and my wife drives it like her '05 Dodge SRT-4 rocket. It is the best new car I have ever owned. It's only fault was the Good-for-a-year Wrangler SR-A tires - replaced still in their prime by some great handling and much more quiet Kumhos.

This thing can turn on a dime - take parking spaces aimed the wrong way (Yeah, I am the one who does that!), drive through rough farm pastures (It has more clearance under it than other Jeeps! I can even get under it to change it's oil.), carry grocery bags upright and an unreal amount of junk, too. I have driven it on several long trips - in fact, all of our vacations since 8/04. The upright higher driving position is comfortable and affords a decent view all around. At least drive one.

Stainz

PS Of course, when I got home with it, I found out it was a soccer-mom's ride. No matter, I found a range bag to match it's interior!

quote:

Originally posted by Stainz:
In 8/04, I elected to buy a new MB ML-320 made-in-Alabama SUV - or it's latest variant. After a cursory look, I looked harder at an '04 Jeep Liberty - then the '05s came out - and I bought one like I wanted, 2WD '05 Liberty Sport 3.7L/AT. It has ~35k mi on it now... and my wife drives it like her '05 Dodge SRT-4 rocket.

Dude, you drive the Liberty while your wife drives the SRT-4?

That's just wrong. Some laws of nature are being violated.

late model MB are not near the legendary quality that made the older MB famous

quote:

Originally posted by Andy Griffith:
The car I will eventually buy, I hope to get 300K miles out of over it's lifespan- for me and those that use it.

I'll concur with some others who have posted here.. forget the Passat. Over that length of time, the parts and repair costs will abolutely nickel and dime you to death. Everyone I've known who has owned a late-model VW has had fits trying to stay ahead the constant niggling problems.

I wouldn't have said this a few years ago, but if you expect a 300k mile lifespan, you should buy Japanese or American. IMHO most European cars have gone way downhill in terms of reliability and durability in the last 10 years. Back in the 80s, you could expect your new Porsche 911, BMW 3-series, or M-B E-class to make it to 200k miles with mostly routine maintenance, and Volvos were vying with Toyota pickups for the title of the most durable vehicle in human history. Those days are no more.

quote:

Originally posted by Andy Griffith:
Hitman, what is that? I didn't know that Chevy made a station wagon on the Malibu chassis...it isn't listed on their website.

The Maxx was a somewhat odd-looking squared-off hatchback/wagonlet Malibu sold from 2004 to 2007.

http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/malibumaxx/review.html

It sold poorly and got the axe when the redesigned 2008 Malibu came out. However, I think it would be pretty cool to own one of the few Maxxes sold in 3.9L 250 hp SS trim.

DW's 94 Volvo 850 continues to be an outstandingly excellent platform; 27 mpg+; drive all day at high speed, more comfortable the longer you're in it; very responsive handling; minimal repairs beyond oil changes. She hasn't hit the 100K mark yet, but all indications are it will last another decade at least...

This is the non-turbo version. We don't need all that extra.

I had a 1998 Volvo V70 station wagon (man 5-speed trans). Excellent comfort, but a very expensive car to own:

requires 91 octane
frequent repairs
*ABS "motor"
*air condition temp sensor TWICE
*passenger front window switch TWICE
*orig tires replaced at 30,000
*all services were costly (think Mercedes)

Anyway, current station wagon (4-cyl, non-turbo, manual trans Limited model) is a 2006 Subaru Outback. Lots of pluses. The only thing I would change is to get better seats -- Volvo had great seats.

Subaru in snow is a gem! The Volvo was front wheel drive.

After all this...

I might see if I can find a very low mileage Volvo 240 wagon from the Eighties!

I'm serious. Heck, I don't care what people think about me from what I drive.

You might be onto something with the older car. I'd look for an 850 from the mid '90s, though. Great car. Fun to drive, too, if properly equipped with a turbo and a five speed.

That or a Subaru are about the only chance you have of seeing 300k, IMO. My wife has a MB ML320 that I plan to push past 200k, and my mom took a MB 260E past 275k before someone else totalled it, but those are not the MBs of today. I don't think the new Volvo will be, either.

If you do decide on an older car, have it inspected by a mechanic that is familiar with that model. It might save you a BIG headache later.

Well, even though I've had good luck with two of them, I won't go against the tide of VW sentiment. It's true they are expensive to have serviced at the dealers...and unfortunately, a lot of the dealers are incompetent and don't get the car fixed right. I do my own maintenance on it in my garage and haven't taken it to a dealer in years. However, if you're not inclined to do some things yourself, I agree that you should avoid.

If you can wait a little while, Subaru is supposedly bringing a diesel wagon over next model year. Could be best of both worlds.

PLEASE buy American while we still can...........

You know you want one...

quote:

Originally posted by Andy Griffith:
After all this...

I might see if I can find a very low mileage Volvo 240 wagon from the Eighties!

A Swedish Brick!

quote:

Originally posted by deanodog:
PLEASE buy American while we still can...........

I'd like to know how to do this. Aside from the brand name plastered on the emblem, how exactly can this be accomplished? Buying strictly on the basis of legacy American brand doesn't necessarily accomplish what I believe is the spirit of your post. In fact, there's as much (maybe more?) American content (labor, parts, etc.) in some foreign marques than some legacy American names.

We (actually my wife) own a 2006 Ford Freestyle and LOVE it. We bought it brand new, and we have now a little over 43K miles on it without a problem. Love the shiftless transmission (hydrostatic?), it's got the fold down rear seat (which takes about two seconds, literally), and the back seat is roomy enough for me to fit into comfortably at 6'1" 250 or so. Gets good mileage, just got back from a road trip to KY for my nephew's wedding and averaged 26 MPG with a family of four and luggage. And we got it at 0% financing for 60 months, which I believe is still available.

Of the three you listed, I'd seriously consider the Ford Freestyle, mainly because it will be easier to get serviced. We've had Volvos in the family for years, and they're great, but finding a good, convenient mechanic who's not going to screw you is tough. VW may or may not give you the same difficulty. But, that's what I'd be concerned about. I drive Lincolns and Mercurys now, and actually have a nearby dealership that I trust (isn't that a switch!). But, in a pinch, I could get my cars worked on about anywhere, without waiting for parts to arrive on a ship from Sweden. (Yes, I actually had to do that once with a Volvo part!!!)