I found a deal for a volvo s80 1999 at a price of 4800 dollars. I will see the car monday. I have never had volvo's before, have only had a saab 9-5 2000. The miles on the car are 82000 and the price seems very good. I have readd bad reviews for this cars and want to know what to look in particular on this car. Any suggestion would be very helpfull.

Thank you

 

One thing to look for is a different car,
evidently the frist 3 model years have
been plagued with problems
Transmissions, suspension issues, electronics,
a/c, ignition switch,high beam relay.etc.
etc. We bought our 2000 s80 2.9l with 45000
miles 5 years ago. The first three years
there were maint issues twice a year,
next years have been better though
and I've gotten to enjoy the car more
now that in my mind it is fully depreciated,
of course that means my wife is tired of it.
it is a great riding car with good fuel mileage
for something it's class 29 highway 20 city.
Dealership service has been awful, bordering on fraud,
ie charged for brake job, found ound 20k later that
rear brakes hadn't been serviced, charged for
them doing ETM work that was covered under recall,
Frivilous "software updates".
Definitly ask around for an independent shop if
you buy it, good luck. This aint your fathers
Volvo

 

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

and apperantly, you're not allowed to do all caps.

 

So I don't currently own an S80. I have had an S70 for 6 years and am considering a (newer) S80 also.

As far as the general picture on problems/reliability - to me the best single source of information on vehicle reliability is Consumer Reports - you can get a web subscription for something like $30 that will let you see their statistics they compile every year from over 1 million respondents, which give you a very good picture of what to expect on average. That's very cheap for what you get, IMO.

The Volvo, like Saab and like BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volkswage for that matter, is built solid, and has some real nice characteristics. But, all of these cars require frequent (statistically) repairs, and the parts are expensive. As a result, all of these cars depreciate quickly, and can be bought reasonably used, but, you better have some money behind you to maintain them and have a tolerance for visits to the shop.

The earliest S80s do have the most problems.

 

if you really want an s80, get 2002 and up... It really makes a big difference on reliability..

 

Wow then I have been blessed I brought a 99 Volvo S80 2.9 & the only prob I have had was the ABS module & the fact that the dummies at a fake Monroe shop somehow installed one of my struts incorrectly other than that I havent had any problems I drive to Mass/PA/NJ & in NYC from Brooklyn To Long Island & local driving too & it's just be great all around I even changed the timing belt which as per the mechanic was in great condition but the sepentine belt was on it's way out. Maybe the previous owner invested all the money that I havent had to, but this car has treated me pretty good so far two years now since i brought it march of 08

 

I also bought my 01 S80 2.9 non-turbo in March of 08...and to this date it has been running just "PERFECT"...no problems at all. (KNOCK ON WOOD)...!!! Good Luck and Happy Motoring....

 

Any car will fall apart if nat taken care of properly. I have a 93 Eagle Talon TSI AWD that most people will say they are junk. I bought this car in 95 with 60,000 miles on it, it now has 220,000 and will still put down a 12.90 in the 1320. All this on a stock turbo, and the head has never been off the car. Go figure.