You've probably come round to thinking of a Volvo because you want something renowned for its solid realiability and with one foot in the prestige market.
I came round to it when I left home fully intending to come back with a Saab but arrived with a Volvo S60.
The recent Volvo push to design much more desirable cars certainly started with this car and the most recent cars are truly pushing up to the rear bumper of mercedes in style and quality but with a little more restraint and elegance.
The S60's four-door coupe styling still looks good even though it's been around for a few years now and is on the verge of being replaced. And the interior and dash of more recent models are made from quality materials - mine has very fine ali-style metalwork with a discreet network pattern woven through it.

So the thing looks good has some desirability but what's it like in action and to live with?
The interior is fine - not a mercedes - but absolutely fine. The most comfortable place I've parked by much-sat-upon rear end for a long time.
The body work and panels have all somehow got that extra quality look about them that sets it up a notch from most mid-range cars. Don't know how this comes about - but it does. (Lovely touch on opening the doors with a nice shiney silver volvo logo on the scuffplate- little things can mean a lot).
Everything inside has an executive feel to it - good radio, heating, controls, sunvisors with little illuminated mirrors. Even the boot's quite nice but does have a small opening and it's something of a tunnel. You can get a reasonable amount in it but you might have to don your miner's helmet to delve in and get it back out. (seats fold flat and peek -a-boo flap for long thin items)

So, it looks good and it feels good to be around. Driving the thing at first was was a surprise. As I'd opted for a 2.4 diesel 185bhp D5 and thought it might be a little mellow to sat the least. Oh no, this thing is sprightly, it can really shift and hardly a suggestion of it being a diesel in sound or performance. It eats motorways and in 6th gear the petrol consumption is low: the high point for me. This really does do the mileages claimed for it. Sixty plus mpg on a lvery ong run (and this is not a small car or engine) and easy forty plus generally pootling about.
143mph top speed And 8.3 0-60mph. I remember when XR3 escorts were out and regarded as really hot; they were slower than this!
Using the in-car computer you can see when it uses most or least petrol, so try and avoid pulling away from stationary or going uphill and you'll almost get a petrol refund.

I've had the car over a year now and as for general wear and tear these are the only things Ive noticed:
Front tyres seem to be wearing quicker than rears - typical for a front wheel drive car.
Bulbs do go a bit more often than normal cars - lights on all the time, you see. I bought a replacement headlamp bulb and it doesn't look as bright as the original one on the other side; fine for driving at night can't see a difference it just looks dimmer as you look at the car - this really annoys me. Don't buy the cheapest bulbs!
If you want to buy top-up engine oil for this late-2006 model I can't seem to find it anywhere (including Halfords) only at Volvo dealers.
It would appear now with cars going much longer between services they all seem to have special engine specific oils that are quite expensive.
But this D5 diesel engine (D5 = 5 cylinders) is remarkable and worth looking after. Though I myself think 18,000 is along time for car not to be given the once over and will have my faithful mechanic pal give it the once over mid-way between services.

Summary: in the right colour looks as modern and prestigious as a BMW with out the whiff of naffness. Goes like stink, excellent mpg, comfortable,roomy, just makes you feel good to drive it. So far seems to as reliable as anything out there. ( now covered 64,000 mls).
You're getting a lot of car for the money.