Okay guys so right now I drive a 1991 Camry and I'm looking to upgrade my car. I noticed in my search that I can get the S80 for a good price, and looks like a great car.

Then I started asking people about the S80, and I fear the car has a lot of problems. Which is not good because I want a car that can last me a few years while I finish up high school & move on to college.

So when looking for a S80 what should I look out for? And should I be looking at the S80 at all?

 

I would say s80 is not a good choice. Id say go for an s60, s80s require a lot of upkeep, and havnt had a very clean reliability. if you really want one id get a warranty on it.

It really depends what year s80 your looking at if you wanna kno what to look out for.

 

Are all years problematic? And what exactly goes wrong, I see a lot of them have had transmission repairs or new transmissions.

Looking for a 1999-2001. Most with under 150k miles. Would I better off looking at an S70 or 850?

EDIT: Thought I'd mention I'm going to go check out a S80 on thursday.

 

I don't think it would be a good idea for you. I'm no Volvo expert, but I own a 2004 S80, and it's a great car, but it's not cheap to maintain (see my post about my HID headlights - $1000 for a headlight assembly). An older one will likely cost even more. In my opinion, find a smaller, reliable car (Japanese wouldn't be bad) and drive it for years. People spend a lot of money on cars when they could be using that money to invest in their future, i.e. pay for college, etc.

 

I have to agree with those who have posted. I have a S80, I love the car but have put Driving Belt do at 120,000 miles, fixed radiator, and have continued problem with faulty ABS warning light and Electrical problems with unk solutions. But, but but, I love this car. I feel so safe in it and it is the most comfortable and nice riding car I have ever had. Honda would be my second choice.

 

i say forget the s80, a lot depends on your taste and how much you wanna spend,, the years you are inquiring about 99 - 01 are the most problematic, my 99 has had many problems and from what i read here i got off lucky, a lot of the major stuff was done by the previous owner, but he eventually gave up as stuff kept braking...

major power steering leak, lost all fluid - rebuilt 1400 canadian ( had trouble finding someone to do it too, cause its a volvo)

3 of 4 tie rod ends replaced, about $80 each w/labour and parts

boost sensor 120

2 of 4 o2 sensors 700 ( I still get a check engine light saying i have no sensor connected lol) but my mpg is great go figure

4 of 6 coil packs around 80 each

im not even talking how much maintenance cost on this car, and the need for synthetic oil and 91 octane,,, it all adds up, mine is eating a lot of oil too due to that dumb *** oil trap contraption

if i were you i would get a 97-99 maxima, even a 00-01 if you can spring for the extra cash, those V6's are super reliable, use a chain, and been on ward's top ten engines since they started making it in 95...

accords are nice too, camry's are overpriced, you see what i am getting at, get a japanese v6 and you will be satisfied i think, cheap to maintain use regular gas, easier to work on than this monster, trust me, take it the easy way man