I am a long time user of Volvos - 144, 145, 165, 264,240s,740s,now 965 and xc70. Most were purchased new. Some I had for 8 years some only 2. Had AT problems with the 165. Only had the xc70 for 2 months. Now I was seriously looking for 2000 or 2001 s80...NO Turbo. At my price point I am looking at cars with 50k to 60k miles. Should I expect tranny problems?? Other major issues?

I would go with an 01, We have been doing many more trans in the 99-00 models.

fyi, we service over 100 Volvos day

wobs;

Do you think a transmission flush every 30K does any good?
Would switching to synthetic trans fluid be helpful?

Rich

2000 S80 T6 59K mi

My 2000 S80 T6 has been relatively trouble free. They downloaded a couple of software fixes and corrected the AM radio ground and a few other things. The issue isn't so much whether somehting broke under warranty, but whether it was taken care of under warranty.

I wouldn't focus so much on systemic issues as much as I would on what care the car has had. Unsupported blanket statements like "It uses a GM Transmission and all GM transmissions are bad" are of no use in determining which cars have a long remaining life.

There is no reason a car with 50,000 miles with has had 3k oil changes and all other fluids changed regularly and all it's maintenance performed should not run for another 200,000 miles. The problem you face is finding such a car. Most used Volvo's on dealer lots are lease turnbacks and repos. The dealers get them from auto auctions. Because their prior owners had little incentive to spend money on maintenance count on not much having been done. Partly offsetting this is that you will get (and pay for) an extended warranty for certain cars.

Ask for the maintenance records and run a carfax report on anything that looks to be of interest. And be prepared to walk away from a lot of cars. Been there done that...recently.

It's a GM trans and a GM trans known by GM people to have issues SO will it last long without problems in YOUR new/used Volvo? Doubtfull. Most aren't doing well in the long haul but some are now going past 100K miles. How far past 100K with a better one?

Just my thoughts - I have a 1999 S80 2.9 - exceptional car, no big problems. I bought the extended 5 year warranty almost 1.5 years ago and have never needed it yet . . . Fred

I feel the same way Fred, although I have had what I consider to be minor problems, and not too many of those, with my '99 S80 2.9 It now has over a hundred thou on it, and so far...(knock on wood)....no big problems to report, and I like the car.

Tranny started acting up on my 2000 T6 at 32,000 miles. No one at the dealer was the least bit surprised. Dealer was good (no hassle about a replacement), but factory protocols, other problems found and parts delays required 6 trips to the shop to get it replaced under warranty. Then there were 2 more trips to correct fluid leaks. Runs fine now. Still, I can't shake the feeling that I've bought American quality at European prices.