I'm a new Volvo owner as I recently purchased one with relatively high miles (180k) for a relatively good price. Had it looked at before I purchased it and there were no real big concerns.

I've now owned the car for about a month (500 miles) and I've noticed a few things.

1. When the car is in park it sort of revs up and down. Not to say it's a huge deal there, I believe it may be the spark plugs(?) or maybe not.

2. When the car goes under breaking and comes to a complete stop the headlights sort of dim as if it's taking power away from the car in it's entirety to stop. Again, not a huge deal to me but maybe it is(?)

3. THIS is the one I'm more concerned about. For a while the car rides smooth. Then it takes on a trait I've seen a lot on the forum. Under acceleration between 50-60mph it begins to shake. Everything I see suggests it's the CV joints but maybe with the other stuff as well it's more then that?

This is my first car and I'm hoping it's not the transmission :/ Any help and words of not totally let down would be awesome.

 

Well i hate to say this But Any 01-02 with that mileage either has had the trany done or may just but Very Very Lucky...

The issues in the 01-02 S60 are vast and Volvo has done a few software update as well as quite a few recalls. Call Volvo of America with your Vin # and see if there are any out standing recalls on the car that need to be done. The reason i say this is because if the car is at the dealer you may be able to get a Free hour of diagnostic and have the any codes read and the issues you have looked at for Free. With the info your get you will have a place to start and these cars are no more or less difficult to work on if you are someone that can do the repairs themselves.. Other than that a Good Stage 0 is a good place to start with a car at that mileage..

 

Unfortunately, the closest Volvo Certified dealer is about an hours drive away.

I will definitely be giving them a call with my vin # though. Im not extremely concerned with the miles. My grandparents had an 02 s80 go on the same tranny until 230k. Other then the shakes between 55-60 mph I have no real complaints about the car. And it doesn't always do it every time. Just on longer trips when Im staying at that speed at a constant.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

trio, as for the vibration, check all the trans. and engine supports, inner/outer tie rods, ball joints, struts (all steering and suspension components). They are weak points on S60s. How are your tires/alignment?

 

Tire alignments are good. Had that looked at. It's going in Monday to get fully looked over. Really really hoping it's not a full tranny overhaul.