I bought a "certified" 2001 S80T6 about 13 mo ago. It's been fine.
It did have a broken front motor mount when I went in for service
(common problem). My warrany covered it but the actual cost is about
$100 bucks or so. I felt safe getting it as it had the extended warranty.

I don't believe they are as bad as the early reputation (Consumers
Report) and others gave them (S80). I expect it will give you good
service. I am satisfied with mine. Only other problem I have had is a
few bulbs but I think that's standard for Volvo's.

I previously had an 850 and drove it to 120K w/o major repairs.

You might could get an extended warranty with a higher deductable (less
money up front) to help if you had a major failure.

Fred-

Go ahead.  I bought the same car new in October of '01 and I've now got
nearly 53,000 miles on it.  So far so good (mostly).

However --- as I understand it I am nearing a crucial milestone.  I have
gotten the impression that at 60,000 miles I will need to have my timing
belt changed.  Never having had a Volvo before, I am a bit leary about what
I'm in for on this one.  Naturally the salesperson didn't proudly proclaim
this fact while attempting to get my signature on the buyer's order and a
check.  I guess longtime Volvo owners/lovers become sort of enured to this
requirement and don't object too much.  Apparently it is considered
"preventive maintenance" rather than a breakdown.  Some have told me to get
plenty of Vaseline and get ready to be well and truly shafted.  Apparently
your new acquisition is still under warranty so I'll guess it has somewhere
in the high 30's or low forty thousand mile category.  The point is that
you, too, will be staring this 60K ordeal in the face within a year or year
and a half...and of course it's non-warrantable and probably wouldn't be
covered even if you DID opt to spend extra bucks to buy the extended
warranty.

Is it a good car?  Yes and no.  I mostly enjoy mine although I would have
liked it more if it had the turbo.  It is comfortable and fairly quiet
except I admit there's a disturbingly high level of mechanical whirring, and
fan noise during acceleration.  Not the nice kind of sound like a Ferrari
either.  It helps to turn the radio way up so you can't hear it.  This and
the fact that it takes 3 acres to make a u-turn are downers.  Plus, the
steering is a bit under-boosted at low speeds and takes more effort than a
normal car.

Otherwise mine is still rock-solid.  No rattles.  No wind noise.  No rain
leaking in from faulty door seals.  And I sort of like the eclectic
appearance of the thing.  I mean it doesn't LOOK like your typical
homogenized FWD Acura or other such stuff, does it?

Yeah.  It ain't great but it's alright.

Inspired?

Pat

I?ve now had my -99 S80 2,9 company car for three years and driven about
120000kms, it has 185000kms on the clock.
During this time had changed: starter motor, cooling fan kit, battery, front
shocks, front disc rotors and pads, one set of tires, top engine support,
one headlight, both front fog lights and about 20 light bulbs in the tail
lights.

I could consider getting on once again, but it must be with a 170hp or more
engine. 140hp is far to week for that car.

This May I drove in germany during long stretches around 240km/h and it
handled nicely.

Johan
Stockholm

Expect to pay about $300-$500 for the 60K service. I have been a Volvo owner
for almost 10 years now. I currently own a S60. Same issue(s), sunroof
carriage rattles, drivers door is now rattling to no end. All will be
covered by warranty. However, I wouldn't waste your money on purchasing an
extended warranty. Pending your mileage, you should not have any major issue
for quite sometime.