Reliability.
I've had my 1987 Volvo since 1999 and just drove it on a 1,600 mile road trip with minimal issues. Volvos of today, however, bear NOTHING in common with Volvos of my era, so I cannot attest to the reliability of current production models. My Volvo had required a fair bit of maintenance and repair, but at 27 years old and over 152,000 miles, I expect that and accept it.
I had a 2002 Saab 9-3. I drove it for 7 years and found it to be comfortable, fun to drive, versatile, and it delivered supurb fuel economy. It was also terribly unreliable, requiring 4-5,000 dollars at the shop every year, paid for by the warranty company. I sold it when the warranty expired. Most of the problems were with the electronics, for which I blame GM. Reliability aside, the Saab was fantastic.
Now, I also have a 2008 Honda Element. It's not as comfortable as the Saab, but it will hold major appliances with ease. Thus far, it has required only routine maintenance and not a single unscheduled repair! I've experienced Honda and I can say it is everything it is cracked up to be! I'd gladly buy another, but I see no reason why replacing my Element would be necessary.
Dave