Hi all,
I have a few RWD Volvos but never a FWD and I am trying to research a car a little beyond sales hype. I just started a new sales jobs and with the miles I am driving the 94 940 is not compatible with as much comfort as I need. I am going to look at a 99 S80 t6 with 91K and loaded. I am assumming a timing belt is due very soon, but what else? What are typical maintenance costs? any RED FLAGS to look for? Any opinions?
Thanks,
Palmer
--
1994 944na, 1980 265 V8, 1989 244, 1987 745ti

...soliciting opinions over the internet isn't a good way to do it.

-BTC

Check out www.carsurvey.org, no smiling faces there.

Uturn2. 1992 965 LPi 328.500km.

Check out www.carsurvey.org, no smiling faces there.

Uturn2. 1992 965 LPi 328.500km.

Check out www.carsurvey.org, no smiling faces there.

Uturn2. 1992 965 LPi 328.500km.

The 1999 S80 was the bad year, the very first models worse than the later build dates. I bought my 1998 S90 (which I would highly recommend). I could have bought a 1999 s80 for less. Does that tell you something bout the 1999 s80s? I would also stay away from 2001 S60s as again the first year. The 2000 s70s and the 1998 s90s are the cars to buy. The 1999 and 2000 S70s have the ETS issue but I also have a 1999 S70 and haven't had any issues with it yet. The wife drives this car and she has 130,000kms on it and I have 180,000kms on my s90. I think the S90 is more trouble free than the S70 because of the ETS issue. I find my S90 more comfortable than her S70 as it is a little small for me (I'm 6'3" and 240lbs.). The camry is the more reliable choice of the three but with the driving you say you do I would think the safety of the Volvo would be the way to go. If you want the best reliability than any toyota is the way to go but if you want safety there is no other car but a Volvo. My wife wrote off two Volvos and both times came away without a scratch. She previous had an accident when she was driving a Hyundai and still has some issues with the injuries from that car and it was not even a write off!

I'll stay away as suggested, I hadn't thought about an Avalon, until now.

Thanks again,
Palmer
--
1994 944na, 1980 265 V8, 1989 244, 1987 745ti

Actually, my indy car guy recommended the Avalon to me. He told me to stay away from Volvo's altogether and to drive an Avalon....it's a plush nice and fairly quick ride and hardly any repairs whatsoever, but, me being me, I would never be satisfied until I was in another Volvo...repairs and maitenance and all. The biggest draw back for me when considering the Avalon was that I would get bored with it very quickly.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

Consumer Reports has the 99-03 S80 on it's "used cars to avoid" list.

You can try the "search" function above to look for the specific problems, the GM transmission and electrical poltergeists that live in the extremely complex electrical system come to immediate mind. The S80 problems seem to be expensive, completely baffling, or both. Even the Volvo techs don't like to work on 'em.

I'd look at the SV70 or S60. If you're going to be doing a lot of driving, the Toyota Avalon is probably the rational choice, by a long shot.

The S70 or S60 if it must be a Volvo.



-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 167k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new

"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." -- Douglas Noel Adams (1952-2001)

IMHO, the entire car is a red flag...run away from it.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

I have one for sale. 1999 S80 T6 w/ 96k. Asking $8995. Located around St. Louis, MO. Blk w/ htd Blk ltr. It has been a wonderful car for me. BTW I have a 100k extended warranty. Reply if you're interested. Anyone??
Dave