Hi all

I am a newbie on the forum and I would really appreciate some advice.
I am just changing jobs and therefore losing my company car. For my new job I will have a reasonable commute (20 miles each way) and I am looking at buying a car that will make my commute as comfortable as possible. I was thinking the S80 would do the job, and as I am a bit short on cash I was looking at older cars with decent mileage (year 1999-2000 with under 70k miles).
Could you please tell me if you think this is a good idea in the first place, and if so if there are any particular things that I should be looking for on such an old car?
Also, given the age what are your views/recommendations in between the various derivatives (for example in between 2.4 SE or T6 SE)?

Cheers,
Dan

 

If you are looking that old go for a S70. STAY away from the 1999-2000 S80. They are trouble.

 

Is that just the 99-2000 or generally any old car of the pre2006 model?
Would the S70 be just as comfy?

 

S70 are pretty comfy. If you can find a really good 98 S70 you would be in really good shape. The S80 is the worse one for the 1999-2000 years.

 

My s70 is very comfy. My mom's s80 is comfy too. The s80 though is a big car. The s70 is a nicer car I think over all.

Get a 1998 s70 if you can.

 

Cheers

I see they go for about the same price, even higher than the S80 so that's got to mean something.
I'll give that one a go.
Just before moving on, what are your thoughts on the S40 or the C70?

 

Personally I would reccomend a s60.. I always found used ones easier to find than s80's... from what I understand they outsold all other volvos at the time by quite a lot...
They always say that the s80 only really became reliable 2002 model and later... seemed to have solved the transmission issues on the car...
I guess the s70 and v70 are both great cars, just comes down to personal preference after everything..

 

I tell you what nicolaselias, you are on to something mate! I don't know why I didn't think of the S60 before (probably just my very limited knowledge) but it seems to be the perfect combo (same comfort as S80 but smaller). Would you know if the interior comfort (esp driver's seat) is similar to S80?
Also, any advice on particular things to look for in an old S60?

 

Hi all - i found your forum and read your comments...
I just test drove a 99 S80 2.4 178,000 km (in Netherlands). They are asking just under 6k euros.

I brought a friend who had a newer version S80 and he knows a "little" about cars and thought that it sounded really sound under the hood etc...I thought it drove very well, very smooth and relaxed. It is a manual transmission. The car is also in really good shape. All your comments are saying stay away - can you please be specific as I am on the fence? Anythings I should really be looking out for?

I looked on the netherlands volvo dealer website for used cars and they have 2 for sale with more mileage (kilometers) and are asking about 7.5k(1 manual and 1 automatic). I know the prices are higher here than the states or germany for that matter, but could really use some Volvo expert advice!
thx Sean