h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Although Volvos are a little on the drab side when it comes to styling, they've long been known (by some people) for being capable performers. The main reason the general public hasn't caught on is their lack of participation in motorsports, their lack of styling (which they've recently turned around), and the fact that they used to be driven by old geezers. There are a lot of young yuppies where I live who drive newer Volvos, and they drive them fast.

I was that yuppie! I had the V70 2.5 20-v SE, and very quick it was (though I think my Senator has a higher top speed).

Best of breed was the 360GLT which looked like a 340 and would out-accelerate almost any other hatch, thanks to a 2 litre fuel injected engine and low-ratio diff. Great fun

This is now the problem with these cars (mind you I have no problems with Volvo's). You have a 'safe' car into which someone has stuck a massive tuned up engine & often a mad driver.

This doesn't mean you can drive like a character from Mad Max & survive (granted you have a better chance). The number of times I have been cut up / tail gated / etc. by Volvo drivers who obviously misread the word 'safe' in the the review for 'indistructable'.

Next step for Volvo formula 1 - please no I see my life flashing before my eyes.

I live in Oklahoma, Volvos are few and far between (but we do see some nice ones from time to time). Everybody and their brother owns a pickup and/or a sport utility vehicle (mostly pickups). They have the notion of indestruciveness. I always have friends and co-workers who express their intent of buying a bigger vehicle so they'll be safer in an accident, even when the safety standards for such vehicles are much more lax. The easiest way to avoid an injury in an accident is not to have one in the first place. There have been several times I've been glad to drive a sports car because I was able to avoid an accident with deft manuevering. But the funniest thing is when winter hits and the roads ice over. The four-wheel drive vehicles are the ones you see in the ditch. The drivers think they can't slide with four-wheel drive, but the weather proves otherwise.
BTW - Chevrolet's advertisements here are filled with attitude, almost promising that you can own the road. I think this has a lot to do with the attitude of the drivers (Chevy truck drivers seem to have the most attitude).

These are not Volvo drivers. They are BMW drivers who are fed up with the stigma of the "Big Mouthed W***er" badge and have bought something more understated.

My ancienmt rear-drive 940 wagon remained perfectly under control in the recent freeze in the UK while others experienced the delights of ditches or in some cases inverted motoring.

My opinion: stupidity is not entirely restricted to one brand of car (although if anyone can introduce me to a responsible BMW driver I'll be interested )