I was looking at some older Volvos, maybe a second car??? So Ford "owned" Volvo from 1999 to 2010 . My question is are there cars made during this time in which Ford was mixing and matching Ford parts in Volvo cars? Someone told me to stay away from the S40 as it is a Ford Focus, don't know whether that is true or not. Any models during that time that were really bad? Oil burners? Of course I haven't ruled out early 90's 240s either, which should be pretty good cars. Thanks in advance , JJ

 

No true about the S40. The Gen 1 S40 started in 1996 as venture with Mitsubishi and the Gen 2s launched in 2004 on Volvo's P platform (so it became more akin to the S60 including common power train designs). The 2000 to 2010 Volvos used the Volvo modular engine design (aka "white blocks" which were introduced in the early 90s in the 850s. Most Volvos also use the Aisin transmission which is also used by Lexus and Toyota for starters. The outliers were the early XCs which had issues with transmissions/bevel gears (ie the transfer case) and issues in 2000-2003 or so with the ETM (electronic throttle mechanism). As to oil burners, not really a problem unless the car was not properly maintained. There are a few exception years like some engine codes for the 2012 S60s but that is well documented. There's also some early year S80s which had a GM transmission that had some issues but I'd say if you focus on 2004 to 2010, the S40s and S60s should prove durable if properly maintained. PS, we "retired" our 1996 850T at 250K miles when we inherited a 2008 car and my son's daily driver is a 2000 S40 that has lived in New England snow/salt for the last 15 years...

 

If you don't want a Ford, get a P2.

But even P1s and P3s aren't terrible if you get the right one.

 

thanks for the information, there's a lot there. I have seen what looks like some really good deals on craigslist in the Seattle market for S40's, like $2-3K with less than 120K on the clock, so I am going to keep that in mind. Also I've seen a 2006 S80 T6 that is only $5k with about 110K on the clock. Has two inches of service documentation, I vaguely remember test driving one of those in Dallas, TX back in 2003, and if memory serves, it's like driving rocket ship. I recall taking it out on the highway and opening both turbos, it was cruising at about 125 mph and not a shake.

 

I'd probably avoid the P2 T6s.