6 replies to this topic

[jpnash]

I've never owned a Volvo and have a chance to buy a 2000 S80 T6 with only 5k miles on it. It's been garaged and is essentially brand new. I think my price will be about $13K. Given the history of this model and year, should I still avoid this car?

Thanks, Jim


Sorry to be double posting here and at the Brickyard....

[jda2000]

'99 and '00 S80 are volvos to be avoided,

That said, a car with 5K miles is practically new, but out of warranty. If you could buy a VIP extended warranty for about $2500, then you have an almost new car for $15,500.

The extended warranty would allow me to sleep at night, otherwise I would avoid this car unless I could get a decent extended warranty.

[ToxicLemonade]

AVOID this car like the plague. there are several members on here that have had nothing bu constant problems and frustration with that year car. please do yourself a favor and stay away from 99-2000 model s80. you can get a 2002 for a good price and the bugs were worked out of the car.

[starfish]

Without any doubt I would gladly buy that car for the following reasons. The car was never considered a lemon by people who actually service them. It has a current bodystyle and the price is really reasonable. Although there were some software updates available to enhance that models reliability, I wouldn't worry to much because many have never needed the upgrade. There is no way of getting hurt by long term ownership and if needed I bet you could turn that car right now for a profit. As far as buying aftermarket warranty for $2500, you would have to have rocks in your head!

[BREAKAWAY]

buy that car and youll never buy another volvo again. it will be one headach after another. not to sure what starfish is talking about, but i do service volvos at a strickly volvo repair shop and yes they have many problems, so many that they started putting the inline5 in them. the 6cylinder with twin turbo is the worst one, the non turbo is half decent but the turbo is one big headach.

Edited by BREAKAWAY, 21 March 2005 - 07:17 PM.

[Edmonds17]

You have very few miles on this S80 so you can expect to go a long ways until the S80's throttle body defect occurs.

All '99 and newer Volvos have a defective throttle body that causes the engine to just stop. Little or no warning. Sometimes it can be restarted in "limp-in" mode, sometimes not.

Problem is that the throttle body has a useful life of about 50,000 mi. Cost of repair is $950-1,200. each time. When the defect occurs, dealer puts in another defective part. Defect then re-occurs 50,000 or so miles down the road.

The actual defect is that the "Magnet Marelli" throttle body from Italy uses a contact sensor to operate. Sensor's metal prongs carve grooves in the plastic contact strip as the throttle is activated. When the grooves become too large/deep, then contact is lost. Engine dies abruptly and car coasts to a stop.

The exact mileage when the defect appears depends on how you drive. City driving causes the defect to occur sooner. Long distance driving will allow you more miles before the engine shuts down. Sooner or later the engine will just stop.

Repairs can only be done at a Volvo dealership or the rare independent that has paid the necessary fees to Volvo. If you are a long ways from the dealership, too bad. Volvo's "Customer Care" people say it is owner's fault "for chosing to live in a sparsely populated area." (?) Either you get lucky and can limp in or you have to be towed. Very dangerous to have the engine shut off on a busy freeway, in a rural area or during adverse weather conditions. Always carry a cellphone so you can call a tow truck.

If you buy the car, don't say you weren't warned.

Edmonds17

[jpnash]

I'll consider myself warned and give this car a try. At the low price and with essentially no miles on it, I'm thinking I can risk one or two bad lessons and still keep it in reason.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll look forward to visiting this site and try to be a contribution.

Jim