Bought a 2000 S80 recently (84K) and unexpectedly find that after being driven for about 10 minutes it shudders b/t 2nd and 3rd gear - just like the posts here report, dealer says new tranny - but wait - they also say it needs a new inner tie rod and steering stops, altogether about $4400. (Oh, by the way when I picked it up from the dealer to decide what to hock to afford these repairs, the fan mysteriously began to run continuously - now the thermostat needs to be replaced as well...) My thoughts now are to SELL this car at an auction and FAST! But I love the car, love the power, love the design, love the roominess - what do I do? Your recommendations are appreciated!

Just keep driving it until it dies. I plop along, clunkity clunk, ploppity plop, squeakity squeak, flashing warnings and all. I told my wife after the car blows with me in it, just find a good attorney to go after Volvo and use all the experience from this website. I hope she lives comfortably after all the stress I've been through with an S80. I'm sick of hearing the Acura and Lexus drivers talk about trouble free experience...and they could sell their car for little loss after many miles. OK I made a mistake, I bought Volvo. Oh and those cars still run, don't creak or complain. Someone told me their Lexus had a simple recall taken care of when he went for an oil change at 125K miles. Lexus replaced everything freeeee...and he didn't know it was needed, they just did it. I think this S80 is like a beautiful woman. She may have looks but she can't run. Sure some of them do, but not many. Well it was fun whining or is that the car again.

GR

Quote:
"Just keep driving it until it dies. I plop along, clunkity clunk, ploppity plop, squeakity squeak, flashing warnings and all. I told my wife after the car blows with me in it, just find a good attorney to go after Volvo and use all the experience from this website"


Sorry but once out of warranty, it's nothing more than a used car like all the other problematic heaps out there BUT with one exception, EVERYTHING will cost you ALOT more to fix and no attorney can help you, not even with everything noted online.

Todays cars also don't just hobble along like an old Chevy, the simply stop running leaving you stranded, never a good time either.

I'd suggest just selling any early S80 while you still can, while it still has resale value.

You would think Volvo would start a campaign to buy back all of these 1999 and 2000 problematic S80 before we sell them to some other unsuspecting buyer. These cars are going to be passed around like hot potatoes and nobody will want them when the music stops!

Why isn't Volvo or Ford doing damage control and when are we going to see the Dateline / 60 minute / Daily Show special... because I will surely need to find my sucker, I mean consumer, before then.



Please feel free to read and comment on my Volvo experience as well:
Bad News - http://brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=850738

I would list all the things that have gone wrong with my S80 but they've all been mentioned numerous times throughout these archives. No need to revisit my nightmares.

I think that you're laboring under the misconception that Volvo really cares. Buy backs are expensive, and they haven't sold enough cars to constitute a blip on any major network's radar screen. They're banking on the hope that all the S80 owners will lick their wounds and just go away quietly. Don't cooperate; spread the word about the kind of company Volvo really is.

As for running along time.
You haven't replaced the steering rack, which will start leaking. That's about $2000.00. Plus tie rod ends and alignment. Then the sway bars. Then the ABS computer, about $500 or $600 through the dealer, or $185.00 rebuilt and you install (which is very easy). Then the right rear door lock will quit working.
I have had mine 2years, I love the car, but have spent over $4000.00 in repairs and that doesn't include a trans (yet).
Its like having a kid, I love them, but they are expensive.

Cut your losses now. If you really like S80's--as do I--then trade it for a newer (Certified Used) '02 or '03. Big incentives on new ones are putting downward pressure on used ones, too. Beat up a dealer on the price of a gently used S80 that has a warranty, and trade this money pit.

Ask that a Volvo MASTER or EXPERT tech re-diagnose your trans issue because you don't need another trans, it can be easily fixed. There's a tech net note on this subject (as any experienced dealer tech should know btw) and all it needs is what's called an STH solenoid. It's a solenoid that's part of the valve body assembly. Now, hopefully you have VIP or another extended warranty because it's still not a cheap repair. I don't recall what the part costs but it's about 7 hours labor (book time) to lower the trans, remove the cover and replace that solenoid. If the story doesn't change, take the car to another dealer.

Sway bar links are a never-ending problem with ALL Volvos built after '99(ish). For whatever in-excuseable reason, Volvo can't find a better design or parts supplier for sway bar links that don't wear out every month (exagerating slightly BUT they don't last long).

Tech made note that there was metal in the fluid/pan. This is a BAD sign yes?

Do the repairs because you just named all the norms for the s80.Tranny yes for the shudder and therm No it needs the fan assembly. Any way after a repair job like that the car should be good for a very long time.