I decided to go with a Volvo based on the reliability and safety factor!
I've always know that they were one of the safest and longest lasting cars ever made.

I'm taken back a bit by reading that the 01-02 S60's are thought to be poor quality!

Currently looking at an 01 S60 non-turbo. 80k miles and in overall great shape!
I've driven it and the tranny seems flawless and the motor sounds great.
The struts are shot and the dealer is replacing them. There is an issue with the sunroof that the dealer is going to address and I'm not sure if I'll have to eat that repair. Not a deal breaker for me.

Getting the car for $5k on account that it is at a Ford dealership in a small town. They feel it is a good enough car to sell on their lot and not wholesale and are offering it at a quick sale price.

It's a 1 owner and was traded on a new car. My thought is that no one keeps a car for 11 years if it's had troubles. Clean Carfax and everything points to it being taken car of.

Question--
Are there good 2001's out there?
Are they like most cars in that a few lemons gives the year a bad name?

Should I run?

Thanks!
Brian

 

Google the ETM recall on the 01 & 02 NA engines. The Magnetti-Marelli module was a problem. Volvo ended up warrantying them for 10 years or 200K miles but yours is now past the 10 year window. If the ETM has been replaced then you should be OK.

 

No, They arent that bad

 

After 11 years, the questions about the reliabilty of a car will have more to do with the care and maintenance it has received rather than the model year. Most of the issues should have been sorted out after 11 years and 80K. The 2001 S60 is however, a poster child of why not to buy the first year of a new model. They did have a lot of issues to sort out. For the first owner, it was probably a trying time, which might explain why the Volvo did not get traded in for another Volvo. Having picked up a used 01 myself, I might not do it again. It is alot of car, but mine had not been taken great care of. When new, it must have been a big hit with motoring media. Too bad it did have some design issues that hurt its reliability and cost of ownership. Subsequent model years got better and better. Personally, if possible, I'd spend $100 having a Volvo dealer evaluate the car before purchasing.

If the struts are shot (more likely just the upper strut seats), then because of the harsh beating, the contol arm bushings have probably been cracked as they tried to absorb the beating. All together this is $800 to $1000 of parts and a mechanics time. If you do the work yourself, it is much cheaper. Doing the bushings when addressing the struts will save some labor, when compared to doing the two jobs independently.

Good luck,
Joe

 

Well, I pulled the trigger.
Bought the car this past weekend and all seems to be good.

They replaced the right front strut, fuel filter, rear brakes, and gave it a lube job.

Car is tight as heck and rides great. So far so good!

Thanks for the input!!