So yeah... got my car. 1999 Volvo s80 T6. I just love used cars.
The vents near the windshield, the ones with the VIN on the left, are not there. The speaker for the center of the dash was cleverly removed with the cover replaced, the trunk mat is gone. Gone. For some reason there is speaker rattle in the rear doors, you have to drive with STC switch on, and it has a funky-*** idle. Also, the guy drove me around in it to show me "it's faster'n ****". He beats the crap outta his cars and on the way home I found out there was no coolant in it, joy. The oil dipstick handle is broken off too, how does that happen? Oh yeah, the rear fog lights and left blinkers are out along with an aribag and the brake master cylinder.
All this because my dad was too cheap to buy me one from the dealership, and he got it off of eBay. He's so smart eh?
I love the car, I just would like to know how much someone thinks it would be to fix up?

 

Well you say an airbag is out? Does that mean your SRS light is on or does that mean an actual airbag needs replaced? Because if it needs replaced right then and there you have well over one grand possibly more.

I suggest you take another car to get coolant and fill your coolant up ASAP.

Why do you have to drive with STC on?

The bulbs are easy to replace. Just go to your local autoparts store and tell them what you need they can help you out.

Oil dipstick handle I have heard of a few times, but still don't know how it happens. I suggest you order one online at like FCP Groton.

Brake master cylinder will have to be done by Volvo or a reputable shop around your area.

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Also I hate to say it but never and I mean never buy a car off EBAY. Even if you can get a look at the car in person more then most time they are crap. And you get what you pay for.

I am going to say your looking at a good two grand in parts and labor possibly.

 

im confused...

when i crank up my s80.. STC is automatically on and i would have to turn it off every time i get in it ... is that a problem?? i just never turn it off...

i also have a funky idle... ESPECIALLY if the AC is running, not sure what it is, it never cuts off though..

 

Ok the idle is most likely your ETM (Electronic Throttle Module). These are a known part to go bad on 1999 model cars. If your hasn't been replaced then I suggest you have it replaced ASAP. This will cost anywhere from $900-$1200 and it is a VOLVO only repair. Only a Volvo dealership can replace this part. Also there are a few software upgrades for the ETM as well which cost about $50-$100. Now your cars might be under the 10 year 200,000 mile warranty on the ETM and might be replaced for free, but don't bet on it. Expect to pay a lot for this.

Oh and if you decide to let it go and idiot light will come on that will say ETS and at this point your car will go into LIMP mode and you wont be able to go over a certain speed. So it is best to get this replaced before this happens.

 

Yeah, the no coolant thing is a big problem. You have two concerns there:

1) The fact that you are running the car with no coolant is not a good thing in any way, shape or form.

2)Why is it low on coolant? Coolant "usually" doesn't just disappear. There could be a very real problem in your car that is causing the coolant loss.

The car audio problems are more than likely due to the previous owner running aftermarket audio in his car. I will assume that he did a poor job on installing or reinstalling your factory audio, so that is probably the cause of the rattling and such. The removal of the front center channel is odd???

Just to clarify something for you, while the T6 is a good car, it's hardly a sports car. If you treat your Volvo well and drive it "conservatively" it can save you a TON in repairs. It sounds like the previous owner may have done his share of damage, and more than likely he's dumped his "lemon" onto you. Be prepared to spend an ENOURMOUS amount of money in repairs.

The STC should be on upon startup, that's normal.

Like "S70Driver" said, you more than likely need to replace your ETM. The software update is a must as there are major issues that need to be addressed with that update.

You will also want to look into changing your fluids. How many miles do you have on your car?

Based off of how you described the previous owners treatment of the car, you may want to have the transmission looked at by the Volvo dealership, and have the fluid flushed and changed. You do not want to replace that transmission, it's very expensive.

I would have all other fluids changed also.

Personally, I never would've even thought of buying that car. I wouldn't take it if the guy was trying to give it to me, the headaches in that vehicle far surpass the cool factor in owning a Volvo. The "Lemon Laws" may be able to help you out if you want to reverse the purchase of that car.

 

You are S. O. L. my friend. Welcome to the club. If you have said "this f--- car", then you will.

If you're a do-it -yourself kind of person, then this forum is great. If not, be prepare to feed your local dealer.

The above advise are great, start there. I advise you to not mind the little things about this car unless if you can do it yourself.