Hello,
I am considering a used s60 (20K to 50kmiles) for my son who will be finishing school in May and starting a new job in June.
He will be about 6 driving hours from me and not very mechanically inclined, but learning (slowly..). The ideal car, from my view, is one that is about 4-5 years old with low mileage.

1. I am interested in hearing members opinion/insight on model years that have good reliability (from their experience) and well as model years to ‘stay away from’…because of certain mechanical or electrical issues.

I am a fairly experience ‘shade tree mechanic’ having owned saabs for 30+ years and jeeps for 20+ years, doing mostly all my own work.

1. In checking out these vehicles, I’d also appreciate any advice on ‘weak spots’ that I should look out for.

For example Jeep grand Cherokees 2001-2003 originally had Teves calipers that would cause the front rotors to warp….later model years were corrected (for the most part) by having Akibono calipers. Saab 9-5s in my 2000-2003 have a design defect in the oil circulation system that would cause sludge build up on the oil pump intake screen, which would eventually seize the engine (Not good!). These are some of the things I’d like to know about Volvos so I can stay away from that MY.
Thanks for your input
John