S80 - i am considering one, am I crazy?

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newtovolvo - 06 Jul 2005 19:27 GMT

I looked one over yesterday and it does drive nice.
Can anyone give me the lowdown on the problems that
are common to this car? I am looking at a 2003
and it appears to be a "base" model. It has 49K miles on it
so I am wondering what I could be getting in to. Am I walking into a
maintence minefield?? It is not coming from a volvo dealer so there would
be a very limited warranty on the car from the selling dealer.
I gather it "may" be possible to get a warranty on it from a volvo dealer
to get me to 100K miles for what I can only guess will be a hefty fee?
There is nothing that says "T6" or anything else, only s80.

I recall the early year or two had serious problems with
a number of things, I mostly recall transmission being a big
one.

any help appreciated

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~^ beancounter ~^ - 06 Jul 2005 20:13 GMT

some of the prices on used s80's are great right now...i picked up a
2000 w/high miles...great price, no problems...i would have a good
independent volvo shop give it a good "going over"...review all the
service records...and you may be able to get an extended
warranty...that will at least buy you some piece of mind...then go for
it...the s80 is a nice, all around , full size 4 door sedan......imho...

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newtovolvo - 06 Jul 2005 23:49 GMT

> some of the prices on used s80's are great right now...i picked up a
> 2000 w/high miles...great price, no problems...i would have a good
> independent volvo shop give it a good "going over"...review all the
> service records...and you may be able to get an extended
> warranty...that will at least buy you some piece of mind...then go for
> it...the s80 is a nice, all around , full size 4 door sedan......imho...

I agree about it being a nice car, appearance, though minor for my
considerations is still nice. My concerns are longer term reliability.
I tend to keep cars a long time. Don't mind keeping then in a well
maintained state, but I don't want that to become my full time ocupation
for one personal viechle. My other large concern is safety and I beileve
the S80 rather high on the list for this.

I think the 2003 model lacks side curtains but does have a side airbag.

Beancounter would you mind sharing what the mileage was when you got it,
how many miles you put on in how long a period of time and any specific
pluses or minuses you have about the model.

Interested to hear from s80 owners
thanks

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~^ beancounter ~^ - 07 Jul 2005 00:41 GMT

i purchased w/ 132,000 on it...complete service records,
no problems in history...it is a 2000, i paid $7,500...it
had the timing belt serviced...and comes w/all options
except the nav system...security glass and system, upgraded
sound system t6 turbo, 17" wheels, ...etc...i have driven it aprox
4,000 miles...no problems, i am installing a re mapped
IPD chip, 2.5" exhaust, and a set of front & rear beefy IPD
sway bars...then a fresh set of bridgestone shoes, and i am
all set...i have had it now for aprox 2 months.....no minuses...yet...
it seems to be a good value for the $...the origional sticker (still
in the glove box) was $48,000....time will tell how it will last...i am
not
driving it hard...yet...just letting it "settle in"....it seems to be a
well
designed, safe car...4 doors, enough for the family and kids, yet
responsive
for driving alone....

are the service records complete on the one you are lookin' at?

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newtovolvo - 07 Jul 2005 01:25 GMT

> i purchased w/ 132,000 on it...complete service records,
> no problems in history...it is a 2000, i paid $7,500...it
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> are the service records complete on the one you are lookin' at?

You have hit the nail on the head and burried it.
Service records that are available are spotty at best.
Showing 3 or 4 visits at widely spaced intervals.
Could be service at independant loacations maybe yes, maybe no.
Will never be able to find out, It appears this is not the
one for me.

Still interested in hearing about s80's 2001 and newer.

Would be thrilled to know the important changes that were made
through the years. Example I see 05's can have AWD.
What year did side curtains start and are they optional or standard
in the years that can/do have them. Also what engines were put in these
in the various years?

Beancounter I have to say I have concerns about a high mileage model
such as yours, but thouse could be diswaded to some degree by
a proper service history.

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Marvin - 07 Jul 2005 22:16 GMT

> I looked one over yesterday and it does drive nice.
> Can anyone give me the lowdown on the problems that
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> any help appreciated

Consumer Reports has an annual auto issue, with information on the repair records of
various makes and models of cars. Most public libraries have this journal. You may have
to ask a librarian to get it for you. The issue is often stolen if it is left on an open
shelf.

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