Discussion on the Volvo S80 T6 (input needed)

Sean,



I haven't posted in a while because I've been busy since this summer working for an auto brokerage. We've had quite a few Volvos come through our lot, and I've been in all of them to get them cleaned up.



Stay away.



My dad considered buying a T6 that we had on lot. I was totally against it. The interior materials wear very quickly and are cheap to begin with. For the older models, the buttons for the power windows/locks had a sort of plastic coating on them that would turn sticky after a while. It was awful.



To prove to my parents how horrible these cars are, I brought up a random Volvo forum that I used Google to find. I sh*t you not Sean, the only threads on the forum were about the car breaking and how much it would cost to fix the problems. I know forums normally focus on the negatives as the most common posts ask for help, but there wasn't one, not one, thread about an owner's love for their car.



If Liz is looking at $15k to spend, look at a used RWD type of sedan in the same class. Lexus GS maybe, Acura RL (FWD though)and you know Acuras already, so you have your own opinion, etc..



I love my SC400. It's a solid car and is nicer inside than most new high end cars that I've been in at work or auto shows. Actually, when I bought my SC, there was an S80 on the lot that I looked at; I like the subtle styling I guess. Mom and I ruled the car out and didn't even bother driving it when we got inside. Stuff everywhere was broken and cheap. While the broken parts might not go for every car, they leave an impression.



My mom recently bought a GX470 and she loves it. My vote might be for a Lexus sedan for Liz. Don't be reluctant to look at more than this Volvo.



But, if she wants it, then let's hope she's happy with it :)
 
My father have a S80 T6, and I must say that it´s a lovely car to drive over long distances. Not a sporty car but a autobahn locomotive. Love that engine!
 
UPDATE - 1/25/06





The car is a NO GO.



Thanks for everyone's help and comments. I literally relayed the messages from here to them but they were still all-for-it. Thank goodness the Volvo dealer (Westport) is so good to them. Here is the email I got from Liz's mother:





I asked about buying S80 and ETS issue and whether or not that was something that they would cover if it cropped up – he said yes up to 200,000 miles – I asked him even if we buy privately he said yes



HOWEVER (I Can’t remember guys name I don’t think it was *******)



Anyway he said I would not recommend doing it - it was a “tough year� tons of service, transmission issues – he said they had one on the lot and service told the guy – don’t say this to sales but don’t buy it.



He said don’t get taken in just because it looks good. Stay away from it.







They are holding off for now and re-evaluating their options (yes :)). I reccomended an S60. It seems an 02-ish S60 is a much better built vehicle. Plus, I think it looks a bit better.



Again, thanks for everyones comments.
 
I have a 2004 S60 2.5T sitting in my garage. Its that light aqua green color with the seven inch wheels, and dark charcoal leather inside. Let me tell you, there is nothing about this car that has upset me or has gone wrong that i haven't induced. When i need to go, it goes, and fast and its very civil, comfortable, quiet, great gas mileage (i've got 25mpg i average 20-22mpg). It has great trunk space, dual climate control, great stereo i mean its just a good car. The looks are pretty good, sporty, obviously no bmw but with the safety it offers i'm not complaining. I say go for it, mine has 20k miles and the only problem its given me so far is the driver side automatic window lowering function going out. Good luck.
 
SVECobraR said:
I have a 2004 S60 2.5T sitting in my garage. Its that light aqua green color with the seven inch wheels, and dark charcoal leather inside. Let me tell you, there is nothing about this car that has upset me or has gone wrong that i haven't induced. When i need to go, it goes, and fast and its very civil, comfortable, quiet, great gas mileage (i've got 25mpg i average 20-22mpg). It has great trunk space, dual climate control, great stereo i mean its just a good car. The looks are pretty good, sporty, obviously no bmw but with the safety it offers i'm not complaining. I say go for it, mine has 20k miles and the only problem its given me so far is the driver side automatic window lowering function going out. Good luck.
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Excellent to hear. Thanks for commenting.
 
It definately is wise to stay away from the S80. My dad owns an independent Volvo repair shop and has to deal with them every day. The S80s, especially the 99-01s have tons of problems, mostly electrical (oxygen sensors, ABS modules, etc...). As said earlier, the GM 4 speed auto transmission on the T6 model is a major weak point of the car also. The 2002 and newer S80s have been improved somewhat, but still I wouldn't take an S80 if you gave me one, it is the worst Volvo built in my opinion. I agree the S60 is a much better quality car and there are not many issues with it.
 
connorb850 said:
It definately is wise to stay away from the S80. My dad owns an independent Volvo repair shop and has to deal with them every day. The S80s, especially the 99-01s have tons of problems, mostly electrical (oxygen sensors, ABS modules, etc...). As said earlier, the GM 4 speed auto transmission on the T6 model is a major weak point of the car also. The 2002 and newer S80s have been improved somewhat, but still I wouldn't take an S80 if you gave me one, it is the worst Volvo built in my opinion. I agree the S60 is a much better quality car and there are not many issues with it.
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Exactly what he said. We've owned three Volvo's and currently drive the XC90 V8 and the S60 2.5T AWD which is chipped to 250 HP and 300 ft/lbs torque, a nice easy cheap upgrade to give you a little whoop. Would never consider that with the T6 4 speed tranny. ;)
 
If they wantd to take a chance could they buy an extended warranty for it up to 100K miles and offer a few K less on asking price?
 
What about a saloon 330d BMW ?



Im trying to think of something that is 4 door and has a boot. I like the 5 series but the new one is not too hot, I would go for an older 745 or something along those lines.



For cars around 35/40K I believe this price bracket is for you.

-Merc S Class

-Audi A8

-BMW 3 or 7 series or my fav an 850CI.

-Maserati 3200GT

-Do you guys get Range Rovers ? the Vogue model?

-Nissan Skyline (just since you have the teg I thought you might still be after the thrill lol)

-Volkswagen R32



Thats pretty all I can think of, most have nice engines and are pretty quick but a car is a very personal choice and its difficult.
 
JJ_ said:
What about a saloon 330d BMW ?



Im trying to think of something that is 4 door and has a boot. I like the 5 series but the new one is not too hot, I would go for an older 745 or something along those lines.



For cars around 35/40K I believe this price bracket is for you.

-Merc S Class

-Audi A8

-BMW 3 or 7 series or my fav an 850CI.

-Maserati 3200GT

-Do you guys get Range Rovers ? the Vogue model?

-Nissan Skyline (just since you have the teg I thought you might still be after the thrill lol)

-Volkswagen R32



Thats pretty all I can think of, most have nice engines and are pretty quick but a car is a very personal choice and its difficult.
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Some of those cars we don't even have :) (wish we did though).





Some cars I am looking at are:



-BMW 330i ZHP

-BMW 540i M-Sport

-BMW M3



Possibly an Audi S4, but I am partial to BMW's.
 
Yes I concur, 330 is the daddy if you have the diesal version then its even better.



Well I wish we had some of your metal on this side of the water but hey!
 
Just wanted to add an aspect to it. Volvo is not really the sporty type of car and was never intended to be that either. Neither was it intended to be a luxury car like a Lexus or a Benz. It's supposed to be comfortable, pack a descent punch with Turbos and especially to be a very very safe car. If you compare, a S60 is competing with an A4 in general.



Volvo switched to FWD mainly of the safety reason. They used to be RWD just like BMW before the 850 stepped in.
 
For $40k you can get a 325i Sport, loaded and have change left over, or be careful on the options and get a 330i Sport. Id personally go for a CPO'd M3, you can get a nice one for $40k, they are just flat out AMAZING cars!
 
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