Advice on 2004 S-80

I am just about ready to buy one of these cars. At the dealer claims it's a
2004 model year. Is that possible so early? I have posted in here a couple
times with general questions on reliability, referencing Power's report and
some comments in here and volvospy's forum. So I asked the salesperson about
that. His response was the low numbers were mostly due to
lightbulbs.......(!). Well, ya, there have been bulb problems, but of all
things Volvo could have fixed easily that surely tops the list. I have owned
an Alfa, two 1800s's, a Saab, which was beyond terrible, and Audi Fox, so I
am not totally new to these things. Cars however have increased in
complexity since then. No one knows exactly what may turn up as issues with
my particular car, but are there any major issues with the S-80? I about
literally had my hand on thecheckbook when the car first came out -was that
'1999? Then I read this forum and stopped. Back then I drove one of those
first ones. The acceleration seems better and overall the car is very nice.

 

All I can say is whats the latin for "I reboot" ?
Great cars if you have the money - you dog !!!, but all I can afford is the
older iron, 240/740. MikeF seems to know about these S80's etc.
I think they look great, but all I hear on this place is computer problems,
but that's not probably so bad if all you have to do is reboot the damn
things - beats getting oily.
Stuart.

 

I've heard some of them went through bulbs but I don't know why. My car has
been excellent in that regard, I've only replaced one headlight in 50,000
miles and 2 1/2 years. I don't recall any other lights going out although
the dealer may have replaced one or two without me knowing. The S80's use
two brake light bulbs behind each lens so if one goes out there is still one
left.

I've been very pleased with my S80 and it has had perfect reliability.

Mike

 

The S80 is like making a bet. The '99, the first year of production,
was a complete disaster. It was like a very bad draft of the car.
2000 was a bit better, but you still had the two front air bags
deploying in a 5 MPH frontal collision. That's ~ $3,000 -$4,000 U.S.
to fix that. Two third in the production year of 2000, the air bags
were fixed, but Volvo did not do a recall for previous owners.

Overall, you should be more concerned about the kind of (lack) of
service you may get from your dealer.

IMO, if you have a VERY strong dealer to support you, go for it, the
2004 should have few bugs. Otherwise, you take a bet. It's your
money.

Personally, I won't touch another Volvo cause of the attitude of HQ.
VCNA has a Ford attitude. And to me that's a bigger problem than the
car itself.

 

The head lamps in my 2000 S40 are hard to reach, so I let a neighborhoodd
service station change them. This Spring, one headight went out for the 2nd
time. While the srvice station owner was putting in the new bulb, he
remarked that a third of all Volvos he sees have a headlamp out. He didn't
specify a model or models.

 

I've met 5 or six '99 owners who were very pleased with the reliability of
their 1999 S80's and none that were not.

Mike


Two third in the production year of 2000, the air bags

 

I'm on my second S80 now. My first was a 2000 2.4(170) SE Auto which was
extremely reliable mechanically and was a hoot to drive, however, it did go
through light bulbs like there was no tomorrow. I have just bought a new
2.9SE Geartronic with the Comms, Premium and Winter packs which I am
delighted with. The handling is much improved with greater feel in the
steering and much more positive response that my last car. The seats too
are also much improved (and now electric). I drive a fair few miles
commuting in my car each year and the S80 is the perfect tool for this. I
would heartily recommend it to anyone - but I always carry a spare bulb kit!

 

I'm on my second S80 now. My first was a 2000 2.4(170) SE Auto which was
extremely reliable mechanically and was a hoot to drive, however, it did go
through light bulbs like there was no tomorrow. I have just bought a new
2.9SE Geartronic with the Comms, Premium and Winter packs which I am
delighted with. The handling is much improved with greater feel in the
steering and much more positive response that my last car. The seats too
are also much improved (and now electric). I drive a fair few miles
commuting in my car each year and the S80 is the perfect tool for this. I
would heartily recommend it to anyone - but I always carry a spare bulb kit!

 

You sound like a used car salesman.

 

the lights are just another item they %$#@ up w/the
s-80's....try fixing one, after a rock break on the
highway...but...by 2004...i am sure volvo has fixed many
of the problems the earlier ones had.....if not...the
model is good as dead over the next 5 years....folks
(like me) will be looking to the newer re engineered s60's
and what ever they roll out in 2005 - 2007...should be interesting....
in the mean time i will just cruise around in my over
boosted 93 940t....i can smoke the rear wheels @ 30pmh...
;-)