I am considering an s80 for my commute, 30-40K mile/year in NJ, and north of NYC. I want power and comfort to cruise the Garden State Parkway. I currently have a 2000 v70 NA, '93 940 NA, and a '93 245.

Generally, I've heard to stay away from the '99s because of first year problems and something like 7 multiplexed processors.

Is there a year/date of manufacture when they get more reliable? Is a 2000 made in 1999 like a '99?

Thanks, Tom

Well, do you feel lucky?

I think Consumer Reports says to avoid the early S80s like smallpox. The April "new Car" issue of CR should be coming out shortly. Pick one up at the newsstand and see what their "frequency of repair" charts say about the latest S80s.

The NAs that you have are (judging by the NA service loaners I've had) dogs, especially at typical (80-90mph) GSP speeds. I'm always chafing at the bit to get my own car back. I have no problem with lots of computers in a car just so long as they're built by the Japanese, not by Fiat. There's been a lot of engineering territory covered between the time the Volvo 140-240 was designed in the mid-1960s and 2004. Want stability control, ABS and head airbags? You need those pesky computers, too! My '98 T5 might be the most reliable Eurocar I've ever owned, going back 20+ years. It just seems horribly unreliable in comparison to the Japanese makes.

-Punx

It would be nice to have more power to keep with traffic. I was thinking about a 940T, but even the NA V70 has a nicer power plant than that, and it's way beyond the performance of the b230f. Still, I long for the power of a T5. A 96/97 850T5, or S70 T5 seems like a good option.

Thanks.

You're wrong about the B230FTs power abilty. Stock isn't exciting BUT with a very simple wastegate adjustment to add more boost (easily takes 13 psi w/o problems), the B230FT can keep up with an S80 T6. I know because I own a boosted RWD turbo car and work on newer Volvos daily. Not even the new S60/V70s Rs impress me compared to the power I get from my nice and simple B230FT, especially when I consider the price of the new Rs.

Any RWD is far more durable and dependable assuming you buy one still in decent condition to begin with.

ALL newer Volvos past '99 have had their issues, some worse than others but IMHO, '98 and earlier were Volvos "good ol' days".

Interesting. I never really considered that. Maybe I should stay RWD and look for a nice turbo. Thanks.

From a mechanical reliability viewpoint, they seem to be a little better with each model year (except for the notorious GM 4 speed transmission). I have a 2001 2.9 with 35K miles. No mechanical problems yet, but annoying electronic/electrical problems abound. Actually, there are at least 10 multiplexed computer modules that I know of (I may have missed a couple).

Please note that I just have a specific question. I'm not trying to re-kindle the s80 debate. I know there is a significant risk of owning what some have experienced as a high maintenance, expensive to repair vehicle.

I have a 2000 S80 T6 and according to my volvo dealer, 2000 is a "tough" year for S80. I like it, but it is a very unreliable compare to my 1997 Audi A4.
Think twice.....

After posting, I re-read 25 pages of archives. I'm scared again. Maybe I need to go backwards and get that p1800 I've always wanted and stick with my relatively complicated (by 1960's standards) 940.

Maybe c.a. is onto something with being computer free.

Thanks, Tom

No, she's got her opinions but I don't agree. I too have owned and repaired many older cars with carbs, points and condensors and those had problems too.

Volvo made great EFI and ignition systems from the early '80s until '99. The stuff was not very problematic and dependable. After that, those systems (and many others) have been very problematic.

Oh, as for your original question, '99 and '00 S80s are almost the same but '00 was a tad better. They've improved further past '02 (new style ETM BTW) BUT I'd still never own one unless I got it for free.

Concur with comments about poor S80 T6 reliability. I had the engine control module throttle me back to 25 mph on a high speed highway run to the hospital to see my son. Good news it was repaired under warranty after much inconvenience.

Throttle control module was next. This time it was on me. Forget the exact amount but it was north of $1K.

Hawk

I have an '01 S80 and its flawless. Still get compliments in 2004. Most people think it cost far more than I paid for it.
I have a bud that owns a Mercedes 280 with a none operating fuel guage, speedomenter, phone .... so maybe there is some truth to "bad things happen when computers die" sentiment.
Then there's my bud whose laundry is locked in his German clothes washer waiting for parts to arrive.
Wish I had an answer for that.
Extended warranty???