I'm in the market for a reliable/sporty family car under $20k, and I've narrowed it down to two options:

- 2006 Mazda5 with < 20,000 mi.
- 2003 Volvo V70 FWD with < 35,000 mi

I'm hoping the M5 community will have some insights I might be leaving out of my comparison:

In the Portland area, I can find both of these cars advertised for about $17,500. They get about the same gas mileage, even though the V70 has 15 more horsepower (50 more for the turbo). The M5 holds a little more cargo (with the rear seats down) but the V70 holds 7 people (with the rear-facing 3rd seat). We expect to keep the car for 8-10 years, so trade-in value doesn't mean much.

Mazda5
pros: 4 years/30,000 mi left on the warranty; cheaper to repair; unique and stylish; sliding doors and raised rear seats for easy kid access; simple with fewer electronic gizmos to break
cons: no frills; no history of reliability one way or the other; no traction control; relatively underpowered

Volvo V70
pros: leather heated seats; solid Euro construction; traction control; fancy stereo, etc.
cons: no more than 1 year left on the warranty; expensive to repair; very common car; more gizmos to break

My wife is mainly concerned with reliability. She wants a car that will be trouble-free and cheap to maintain for the next 3-5 years. I'm also concerned with reliability, but I like heated seats and a little more power and I've been a Volvo 240 driver for the last 10 years so I already have a trustworthy mechanic.

What do you think is the better option? Thanks for your opinions!

 

I haven't owned a Volvo since the mid 80's. It constantly needed work. I do own a Mazda5 currently. Although, it's mainly for my wife's. We also own an Explorer that we use as a winter vehicle so the Mazda does not see too much adverse weather. We have been happy with the Mazda5 so far.

If you want a vehicle to last 8-10 years, consider the length of the warranty left on the Mazda vs. the Volvo. You're pretty much going by what the seller is telling you on both vehicles. The longer warranty would be a good piece of mind. The Mazda 2.3 engine is reliable and is in most of their models. The 5 has side curtain airbags.

Bottom line, what makes you happy? I'm happy when I drive my F250 Super Duty.

Jim.

 

I would have to agree with Jim. My wife and I recently purchased a 2012 Mazda5. Yes it's not a vehicle with power, however its very user friendly. With Volvo's, you do get a more tempermental one. Could lead to more costlier repairs down the road, however, its whatever you want. Just keep in mind, the volvo's of yesteryears are not the same as today's. But then again, I never had a Volvo. Good luck.

 

I just realized that the original post is from '07.

Considering that DGB never came back, I think he made the right call and took the Volvo (the '06 / '07 Mazda5's had too many issues).

 

Heat, if he chose the volvo he chose wrong! I had one, a V70R...friggin money pit.