Newbie S60/S80 questions

[Tim Coble]

I'm new to the group, as I'm just in the early stages of researching my next
car purchase. A Volvo is at the top of my list - in particular, I like what
I've seen so far from the S60 and S80. (The S60 in particular.) However, in
reading a number of owner reviews on various websites I've come across a
surprising number of people who claim to have had some pretty severe service
problems - particularly with the S80 - right off the bat. Flaky electrical
systems, bad brakes, myriad (serious) engine problems. The theme that
consistently ran through these complaints was something to the effect that
Volvos are now more Ford than Volvo, so the days of exceptional quality and
longevity are pretty much over. I realize that these are just subjective,
anecdotal data points, but I'm wondering whether they're the rule or the
exception. So, I figured I'd go straight to the experts with a few
questions:

1. What kind of reputation for quality do the S60 and S80 have overall?

2. Are there any specific years and/or configurations of either that tend to
be particularly good or particularly bad in terms of requiring service?

3. Are there other comparable models/years of Volvos that I should be
considering instead of these?

4. If I should end up purchasing either of these models, is there anything
that I should be aware of or do in terms of preventative maintenance and/or
keeping an eye out for specific warning signs? How about during the test
drive and inspection process?


Many thanks!
-Tim

 

[Hal Whelply]

...The theme that consistently ran through these complaints was something
to the effect that Volvos are now more Ford than Volvo, so the days of
exceptional quality and longevity are pretty much over...

The current S60 and S80 were designed pre-Ford. To say they're now "more
Ford than Volvo" is, in my opinion, rediculous. As for "exceptional
quality," I'd ask, "Compared to what?" If you have a lot of experience with
Japanese quality and reliability, you may be disappointed. I deliberately
made the choice, knowing what I was getting into, to put the Volvo safety
record around my wife, who drives our S60. Most problems were handled under
warranty, and I have to say the can never left us stranded. But maintenance
and repair are expensive, and you'll pay out more than you would for a
high-end Japanese product of about the same price.

1. What kind of reputation for quality do the S60 and S80 have overall?

According to Consumer Reports, which is worth paying attention to (despite
what some say), the S60 is average in reliability, a CR "recommended"
vehicle, which, for a car that aspires to be a sport luxury sedan is
"neither sporty nor luxurious." Their view, not mine. My take: sporty enough
for my driving, and adequately luxurious.

2. Are there any specific years and/or configurations of either that tend
to be particularly good or particularly bad in terms of requiring service?

I don't know.

3. Are there other comparable models/years of Volvos that I should be
considering instead of these?

I don't think so, but there will be some who say you're better off with a
ten-year-old 240DL. Hogwash. From what I've read, the model years just
before the 2001 S60 (S70s) were trouble-prone. Early S80s (1999, 2000) were
also.

4. If I should end up purchasing either of these models, is there anything
that I should be aware of or do in terms of preventative maintenance
and/or keeping an eye out for specific warning signs? How about during the
test drive and inspection process?

Not that I know of.

Our '01 S60 2.4T has about 55K miles put on over nearly 48 months. So far,
it's been OK. I love the looks of the car. But the back seat is unusable
except for children or very small adults.

HW