I have a 2000 S80. It has 45,000 and I have not had any trouble. My lease ends in 30 days and we are going to buy it. I would agree that the 99 and 2000 modles have had thier share of lemons it seems. But I have a good one. yo may too.

Sorry to inform you, but why do you think the original owner dumped it before it ran out of factory warranty? Having lived through the first two agonizing years of ownership of my S80, I became panic stricken as the end of the factory warranty loomed. If the car had any resale value, I would have dumped it, but you don't take the depreciation hit until you unload the car.
I decided to keep it because I couldn't get a stripped Civic for what the 45K Volvo was worth. I ran out to my Volvo dealer and purchased an extended service contract (7yr, 100K) for $1800.00. This is the first extended service contract I've ever purchased for any product in my life. I've always advised others against purchase of a service contract, because they are typically a poor value. I assured my wife that with an S80, the service contract would be the best purchase we ever made.
In the first two visits to the friendly Volvo dealer after the factory warranty expired, the extended service contract administrator paid over $12,700. in repair claims, and we're just getting warmed up because its time for another transmission (yet again). What a wonderful ownership experience!
I'd suggest that you sell it, pray that it burns, or is stolen, or get yourself an extended service contract quickly, (you need to purchase it before the expiration of the factory warranty). Buy a contract with the best coverage you can find, making sure that high tech modules are covered. I think you can be pretty well assured that the service contract company will regret the day they signed you up. Good luck!

You've done your homework and have read the problems myself and others have had. The good thing is that you have 6K miles remaining under factory warranty if that transfers over to you. But, that's only good if you live close to the dealer. Independents cannot do you much good anymore as Volvo is only releasing the computer upgrades to their dealer network. I was only able to keep my '99 S80 a total of 20 days because it so many electrical gremlins and I was 60 miles from the closest dealer. For peace of mind call the dealer that serviced the car and find out the history in detail. If there has been computer related work, I personally would get something else. I fell back to my '88 240 for now. Disappointed my S80 didn't work out, but I'll live. Latest news in the Ward's AutoWorld for February 2003, page 11, hints at Renault talking to Ford about buying the Volvo brand from them.

bought my 1998s70glt about 18mos.ago.w/75k miles on it.

problems:curbside el.window controls are spooky,,,driver door detent broke.

but other than that so far so good...after reading all the problems, i too would think twice...1999 was when volvo turned corner per tech at out last vcoa mtg.

tech said that computer netword onboard is better than Jags because it runs at slower speed...i cant imagine the problems a Jag owner would have.

good luck...i have 105k miles now...i personally believe they are built ever bit as good as M/B because i had (2)diesels...i had my share of problems with them too...there are so many systems on a car these days,its got to be a real problem designing them to perform with minimum maintenance and maximum abuse.
jets are just as complex but they get regular maintenance.