Hey guys Im new here. Ive been a long time volvo fan. I grew up with a 84 DL wagon and then a 95 s70 t5. Im in Physician Assistant school right now and will be starting my clinical soon, which ill be traveling upwards of 150 miles a day.

Currently I have a pickup that gets 11mpg. Im looking at picking up a local s80 2.9 1999 for around 3,000 with 115,000 miles to use for commuting. The guy works for Volvo, and it has been very well maintained with every available option.

My question is, Will this car be a reliable daily driver for the next couple years? I have been reading horror stories about the transmission and computers on these cars. Thanks

 

The S80 will get better gas milage than your truck, but with that many miles a day you might want to look for something with better MPG depending on your budget (I'm a student as well, so I understand that very well), the S80 will probably get around 26 on the freeway. I believe the MAF Sensor and Throttle Body Control Module are known to go out on the '99. If the guy works for Volvo, it probably was well taken care of. If you have the time to do the maintenance yourself it should be inexpensive, but if you plan on going to a dealer for maintenance, it can get pretty spendy.

 

Thanks for the reply, I really just want a comfortable, reliable car and mid 20s on the highway would be great. We also get a ton of snow, and this car has the winter package with traction control, winter driving mode and snow tires. I could change the oil myself, and the timing belt was just changed.

 

The S80 (and pretty much all volvos) is very comfortable, great for long drives, plus it's great to look at. If maintained properly all cars are relatively reliable, and considering the guy works for Volvo, I assume it was taken care of, especially if he has reciepts for parts. Volvo traction control is great and the S80 has decent power (I think around 200hp).

 

So the whole "volvo transmissions and ECU will die" is more of a myth and happens with people who dont maintain their cars? Its hard to find reliable reviews on line

 

I mean, any transmission and ECU can go out on you, it's a case by case scenario. I think I remember there being something with the shifting of the '99 and '00 GM models - specifically between 3rd and 4th. Test drive it and feel the shifts, get it to go to fourth gear and pay attention to the shifts. Was the comment you are looking at directed toward all Volvos or just the '99 S80?

 

The 99 S80 I was looking at. Its a difficult decision.

 

I trust in God! Everyone else I need proof. Get maintenance docs.

 

Agreed, and he probably most the work hismelf so if he was smart, he kept the receipts.

 

I like that quote! Ill check for reciepts

 

DONT buy one if it has DSTC. You WILL get to replace the ABS Module and the brake booster and they are WAY more expensive with DSTC. Go with the STC model and you will be fine. If you have to replace the ETM, ZeModex is the cheapest and best deal going.