With a Volvo, you put up with a lot of minor nuisances (many are
electrical in nature), but
with proper maintenance and a little luck it's possible to get huge
longevity from the basic power train.
The Japanese cars, in general, are a little more reliable than a Volvo-
but are less likely to
do 200-300k without an engine overhaul (as Volvos often do), and less
sturdy in a catastrophic accident.