S-80 vs 740

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim Corey
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Jim Corey

I have an 86 740 non turbo with 330,000 miles. It's in good shape, but is
sneaking up on it's third tranny (rebuild). Wife's mother wants to give us
a 99 S-80 with 60,000 miles on it. She can't conceive that anyone would
drive a car with as many miles on it as our GLE(she trades in her Subarus
when they hit 20,000!!!). Are there any inherent problems with the S80? Do
the require premium gas? I sure I'm letting my emotional attachment for the
740 enter into the decision, as I've had the car since it was new.
 
The S-80, I've discovered, is the "worst car since the Gremlin" in the words
of one owner! The failures are many, the repairs expensive. But, as it was
a gift (and beautiful) we're going to store our 740. It was a no brainer,
which for me is critical.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
For some reason I don't think your mother in law would give you a lemon of a
car (unless you did something to piss her off... but even then her daughter
would still have to drive it too). The S80 had a few outspoken owners who
got a bad car it seems. After talking with a mechanic at my Volvo dealer he
said the S80's are actually good cars... a few software updates later... he
said it took a few years to work the bugs out... till about 2001/2002. He
said the people who bought the original 850's probably spent more money on
them, because of A/C failures and some early transmission problems. Now
that's just one mechanics opinion, and there are more 850's then there are
S80's sold... so who knows, he seemed to really like them, and pointed to
his S80 in the parking lot, not sure of the model year, said it's been great
tho, and that the majority of owners come in with just oil changes to do...
and the odd software update :-).

Remeber, no one is outspoken when the car is flawless... only when something
breaks, and a lot of times it's because of owner negligence or stupidity.

We've owned some of the more risky Volvo's (first year of the 16Valve 740,
and first year of the new 6 cylinder engine, 960) and not a single problem.
 
Actually, she bought the car from someone down the street. She figured that
all Volvos are great based upon our experience. Anyhow, it's a done deal.
She bought the car, and now it's ours. I hope it runs as good as it looks.
The PO had everything done to it, service wise and update wise.
 
Our 2002.5 S80 2.9 just passed 72,000 miles.

The only complaint I have is the cars appetite for position light bulbs.
 
MACampbel said:
Our 2002.5 S80 2.9 just passed 72,000 miles.

The only complaint I have is the cars appetite for position light bulbs.
Click to expand...

I just replaced the first small bulbs on my 4 year old S80, the right brake
light (the first headlight went out last year). Haven't lost any positional
lights after 62,000 miles.

Spanky
 
my 2001 s-80 eats bulbs every 3 month (roughly)

dealer says there is nothing they can do about it.
 
Yes- The dealer can do something. Complain to Volvo. Get Volvo to change
the design using different bulbs. This, although minor, reflects on the
overall opinion and reliability of the VOLVO. I complain to the dealer each
time the car goes thru its 7500 miles maintenance. How else can they make
product improvements!
 
I can only say this...


Had an 84 760 Turbo, Loved it. Over 200,000 miles on it.
LOVED IT!

Till it got hit by a drunk driver, and repairs would have exceeded
even an enthusiast's wallet, prolly' 2-3,000 US to restore to it's
glory. It was a very clean and straight 5 speed turbo, fairly rare
around here. Extremely rare when searching for one, I found out.

Then I bought a 99 S-80, only because it was the nicest one I saw at a
dealer lot while looking for an older 760/760. (Hard 2 find a decent
older one, they're all being driven by people who won't sell them!)

I admit I wasn't terribly excited at first look, (the S80) but
driving it convinced me. Very tight, responsive, yet feels like you're
gliding in a leather couch when just cruising, which is what driving
is all about.

The s80 had about 60,000 miles on it, and I have only had it about 4
months now.


No repairs to date, none at all. Not bad for a used car, of any make,
in my book.

It's a different car for sure than the older models/design, but it's a
real pleasure to drive, and performs very well , I have to say.

It's quick, easy on the gas, and did I mention it's very quick
especially for a non turbo.

It does have many electronic features, and as with any car with all
the toys, will no doubt have more things to keep up on in the future.

I am still hunting for an older model, but am very pleased with the
S80 right now.

The stereo, although that should not be a major buying point for
anyone/any car, is superb in this one. All the driver controls are
laid out nicely, and of course safety on this model is state of the
art, with side curtain airbags and all.

Have not had the pleasure of changing bulbs yet, but I do hear the
headlamp assemblies are time consuming and expensive to change when
they require it. (Is it really true the front bumper has to be
partially disassembled for the r/r of the headlamp???)

My advice, enjoy the S80, I think a majority of the owners of the
S80's are pleased with them; remember not all Volvo owners are in the
newsgroups, and you mainly hear the bad news because a lot of people
in here are looking for help.The people who have no problems are too
busy driving around to check us out..
 
The s80 had about 60,000 miles on it, and I have only had it about 4
months now.

No repairs to date, none at all. Not bad for a used car, of any make,
in my book.

It's a different car for sure than the older models/design, but it's a
real pleasure to drive, and performs very well , I have to say.

It's quick, easy on the gas, and did I mention it's very quick
especially for a non turbo.

It does have many electronic features, and as with any car with all
the toys, will no doubt have more things to keep up on in the future.

I am still hunting for an older model, but am very pleased with the
S80 right now.

The stereo, although that should not be a major buying point for
anyone/any car, is superb in this one. All the driver controls are
laid out nicely, and of course safety on this model is state of the
art, with side curtain airbags and all.

Have not had the pleasure of changing bulbs yet, but I do hear the
headlamp assemblies are time consuming and expensive to change when
they require it. (Is it really true the front bumper has to be
partially disassembled for the r/r of the headlamp???)

My advice, enjoy the S80, I think a majority of the owners of the
S80's are pleased with them; remember not all Volvo owners are in the
newsgroups, and you mainly hear the bad news because a lot of people
in here are looking for help.The people who have no problems are too
busy driving around to check us out..
Click to expand...

Glad your new (used) S80 is treating you as expected and that you took the
time to chime in. Usually owners only speak up if something breaks.

As far as the front headlights is concerned, yes, it's true, the front
bumper needs to be un-bolted to replace a headlight. Of course headlight
bulbs can be replaced with no tools in under 2 minutes. The big job is
necessary if a rock breaks a headlight lens. Just one of the quirks of a car
with a very streamlined and integrated front end. Some owners use the vinyl
headlight protection film to avoid this expense.

Spanky
 
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