We're contemplating purchasing a used but not-very-old S80, perhaps a 2003 or 2004. I've read a lot of negative stuff about S80s, particularly regarding reliability, and am increasingly scared off of the model. But it looks like the greatest contempt is reserved for the early S80s. I'm wondering if there's any reason to believe later S80s are better, or if they're just not old enough yet for trouble to have surfaced.

I'm interested in a sedan of roughly the size of the S80, preferably something just a few years old, something someone turned in at the end of a lease. I've been loyal to Volvo for a long time, though I recognize that a lot has changed in the last few years. Are there other makes/models people who appreciate Volvos -- particularly the safety features -- should contemplate in this size category? I'm loyal to Volvo, but not blindly so.

I've owned a 2000 S80 and had no problems with the car-except for the front subframe bushings that was repaired under warranty- and bought a 2005 S80. There were big changes on the '04 S80 even it doesn't appear so. The resale on S80's isn't very good which should make buying one used a good value for you. I would look for a used '04 over a '03 b/c of all the changes although I wouldn't pass up a good '03 if one came along. The '99 to '00 models seem to have a fair share of problems but later ones seem fine. A good dealer to service your car is the key here. A dealer can make your experience either enjoyable or horrible when it comes time for service.
Bottom line-an S80 is a safe and comfortable car with no more problems than a typical european car and that includes BMW, Merc and Audi.

"The BMW 7 Series, for example, has more than 120 electric motors, including 38 just for the front seats"-from a Wall Street Journal article attempting to explain the dismal reliability of European cars in general.

Consumer Reports has the 1999-2003 S80 on it's "Used Cars to Avoid" list.

Have you considering leasing one?

Reason I ask is I do like the V70R, although I'm terified by the idea of owning one of these puppies without a factory waranty, and that's what I'm considering doing.

We have 2 Honda trucks and an Acura car, and the reliability has been pretty close to spotless. Nevertheless, the Volvo seats fit my Nordic backside much better than the Honda/Acura seats, which make my back hurt. If not a Volvo, then a Bimmer or a Benz. Seems there are two basic choices for me, either be annoyed all the time by the Japanese seats, or to be annoyed by the European demonstrations of poor reliability.

If you want reliable in the same price/size class as the S80, look at the Acura RL which is technologically remarkable, and the Lexus GS.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 160k 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

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Adams (1952-2001)

Leasing definitely isn't an option. I put too many miles on the car and I'm one of those people who likes to buy a car and keep it for 10-15 years. If S80s aren't reliable enough for that kind of use profile, then I need to look at other cars.

I'm a big guy (both wide and tall) so seat size and legroom is a major issue. The specs on the Lexus GS300 make it sound like the seats are slightly larger than those in the Volvo S80. But I haven't actually sat in either yet.

...but I just found a carsdirect.com offer of $32,679 for a BRAND NEW S80T6 in my zip and THAT's a number that's going to be just about impossible to beat with a lease.

In fact, $32,679 is an awfully attractive number for a T6.

I might suggest buying the 100,000 mile Volvo extended warranty and trading the car at 99,000 miles, though.

I'm usually not an advocate of either leasing or selling a car with "only" 100,000 miles on the clock, but I added up my repairs for the last year, and geez, I coulda leased a Bimmer. And yes, I drive a lot, so I'd get nailed with about $2000 in excess mileage charges for each year of the lease.

And my V70 isn't nearly as complex as an S80.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 161k 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

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Adams (1952-2001)