Hello i am thinking about buying a 1999 Volvo S80. Its the T-6 model so it's got the twin turbo which is awesome! Just had some concerns, and was wondering if you guys think it would be a good buy. Also new to Volvo's so im not sure about the reliability.

The car has 140,000 miles on it and looks great inside and out. The only concerns I have on it is that it needs a new idle sensor (I guess it just idles funny?) owner says its a cheap fix, but i have no idea. Also the heater core is out. Luckily its never cold here in sunny CA so thats not a big deal.

Owner wants $4,400 obo. Im thinking the most I will offer is 4,000....so what do you think? Would this be an okay buy?

- Thanks!

 

Needs throttle sensor not idle sensor haha

 

Check what kind of maintainance the car has been done. Timing Belt, tensioners, water pump, turbos OK by checking that is not burning oil or blue smoke from the muffler. no funny lights on board.. I would offer him $3500.. Take in consideration is not a cheap car to maintain so be prepared..

 

I own a '99 T6 and there's no way in hell I'd pay 4K for one. Theres a few things to consider, some have been pointed out already..
If you plan having someone else maintain and or work on this car, my suggestion would be to look at something other than a '99 T6. It will bankrupt you!

Biggest thing is that the transmission in the older S80's cant take the torque the T6 puts out. Its not a case of if the tranny will fail, its a case of when. You'll be lucky to have change out of 2K when that goes south. Seems to be more like 2500-3000.

If the idle fix really was cheap, Im sure the owner would have ponied up the dough if he thinks the car is worth 4K. Reality is that parts in the Electronic Module (ETM) wear out, causing it to hunt at idle and eventully go into limp mode. Budget at least 500 to have a xemodex throttle put there. There is separate no "idle" control, its all done with the throttle plate via the ECU.

Coils fail. Again, not if, but when. At least $50\cylinder 6 cylinders.

Turbos are actually pretty strudy, but be forwarned that like any turbo car, they dont take kindy to mistreatment either from not being allowed cool down after being driven hard or extremely stretched oil change intervals.

PCV system will need to be cleaned and or replaced. Not difficult though.

Its an interference engine, so timing belt including tensioners and water pump change should have been done at 100K. If the owner doesnt have a receipt for it, then consider it not done and on borrowed time at 130K.

The other thing about the '99 is that its the first of the P2 CANBUS cars. What does this mean? Well, basically almost everything is connected to a computer network that runs throughout the car. Its makes diagnosis and repair on a lot of things very complex for a DIY'r, and I say this as a computer professional. Want to change the throttle module? Needs to be programmed at the dealer. Need to change the engine or transmission control modules? Trip to the dealer. Need to replace the climate control module? Yes, even that has to be "married" to the CANBUS network in order to work.


I know all of this this sounds awefully negative, but theres no escaping the fact that a '99 S80 is one of the riskiest buys out there, almost bar none. Now having said all this, for the (purchase) price the S80 is probably one of the safest, most comfortable cars out there for its size it brakes and handles pretty decent and the T6 provides a good compromise of power, flexibility and economy. Just be forwarned that they have their vices. The question you have to ask yourself is is the risk worth the reward. IMO I wouldnt buy another '99 S80 and mine has been pretty trouble free! Problem is that I find myself noticing the slightest noises and or freaking out when a light on the dash comes on. The thoughts of putting a $500 throttle body and a $2500 transmission on the car worries me.

Go to Used Cars - Edmunds.com and pop in the info for the car you are looking at. I suspect it will be valued at less than what this person is asking. Dont waste your time with KBB.

 

Here I did the work for you . I based it on "good" is it will probably need a timing belt, the heater core is shot (leaks are not good nomatter what the weather) and a PCV service to start off with. I punched in a random CA zip. For reference, "Clean" was valued at $3,144 private.

 

Really appreciate your guys responses. Im a paranoid buyer of used cars as it is, and this car seems to be way to risky for me (being a college student this doesnt seem to be the cheap reliable car that I probably need). Knew these Volvos werent cheap to maintain, but never thought it woulld be that bad! Unfortunate because I truley do love the power and looks of this car . The electrical thing seems way to risky for me. Not in a rush to buy so think I will just shop around. Once again thanks for all the advice and knowledge guys!

 

I may be selling my 2002 2.9 s80 for about 4500 soon, I promise you it will be in better condition than that one .. I consider mine very good mechanically and interior/exterior.. Just to give you an idea of a reference price..

If you want a cheap beater car to maintain and bulletproof reliability try to pick up a relatively old accord or something like that.. The S80 is a great car and I have had excellent luck with mine, but when things go wrong they tend to hurt in the pocket..

 

ur a college student so y u want such a big car..get a S60 or S40..those will be good.

 

I was just going to ask you guys about the s40, i hear they are reliable. I would still like to get a Volvo. Would that be a good option for me? My budget is 5K

how about this? http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/cto/2337861450.html

 

IMO, stick to something 98 or older, proven well known, developed tech and they have by far the most amount of documentation\howtos out there. V70 S70 850 or suchlike. Turbo for kicks if you want it. I would choose any of these over a V40, no offence intended to V40 owners. The T5 offers "almost" as much punch from mid to top as the T6, it just doesnt have the low end pull that the T6 has.

http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/ctd/2299793065.html (priced a bit high IMO, but worth checking out to see if you like it)
http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/ctd/2335463075.html (RWD Funs)

 

Alright I see what you're saying. And I really like that first add you put up. I might even call about it! Thanks again NoLife, you guys are no your stuff!

 

Is 160,000 Miles a lot for that s70? How long would you say those last when maintained well?

 

200K + is really common. My V70 T5 has 206K on it and it gets a good thrashing on a regular basis. It needs shocks (pretty sure the originals are in there) but other than that it runs real nice. Its all about how its been maintained as you say.