Late Model Volvo Turbos

Shopping for a new ride. Currently driving a 93 Chevy Pickup w/ 170k mi., which is about to give up the ghost. (Or so I rationalize to myself.)

My little brother recently bought a 94 Volvo 960 with 100k for dirt cheap. Inline 5 and RWD, would be better only if it were a 5 speed. Anyway, I've driven it, it really is alot more fun to drive than I expected.

So I am looking at alot of different options, still may buy a truck because I'm always hauling stuff. Oh, who am I kidding. I am always hauling other peoples stuff.

But right in the sweet spot of what I want to spend are some 00-01 Volvo S80 sedans with turbos with around 70k miles. Does anyone here drive one of these, or has owned one in the past? What kind of life can I expect to get out of the turbos before I have to have them rebuilt? Any insight into late model, larger Volvo cars and your experiences with them would be appreciated.

 

Keep the pickup, buy a 400I 5 speed!

 

From what ive heard after the 850 model, quality went south. I have a 96 850 wagon with 60k on it and no problems. Well thats if you dont count the fact that its slow, rides poor and rolls like a Pillsbury dough boy in turns.
That said the 850R Turbo i believe solves all these issues. Also can be had in wagon form to help with hauling.

 

Devil! Remove thyself from my shoulder! I am not ready to make a deal! See me in 2 years!

 

Volvo S70 T5's and S80T6's... Have had about 10 different exmaples of each on my driveway... All fun cars! There is some turbo lag when you stomp on the loud pedal, but after that, it scoots, and sounds pretty nice while doing it. The interiors or very comfortable, and you've gotta love the smell of the leather! Go test drive one...

 

But I'm only 25! I'll leave the wagons to my friends who have all been hoodwinked into marriage by their ball and chain.

Cool, that's what I wanted to hear. What are you doing, trading into a new one every year?

 

Do an internet search, I have heard that the first year "1999" S80's were riddled with problems. But after that they worked most of it out.
S60's have an "R" model with 300 hp, that would be cool.

 

Just sold a 2001 NON turbo wagon. I guess I'd be in the minority, but I'd not want to buy a used European turbo with 70 k miles.

This Volvo was great, not a problem aside from the sickening depreciation it suffered, bought certified program Jan 2002 for $27,000, sold 30 months later for $14,000 for almost $500 per month depreciation-OUCH.


http://pages.villagephotos.com/page.asp?page_id=2681


Buy then at $12 to $14K most of the depreciation is already gone.

 

My mom was the Revenue Manager of Canada for Hertz Car Rental, and then Revenue Manager for Phoenix... She was allowed to take home whatever she wanted, and often she brought home Volvo's... S40's, S70's, V70's, The XC wagon, S80's, we've driven them all... That job had its perks, great for beating on new cars .

 

That's the ballpark I'm in. There doesn't seem to be any shortage of them at this price, at least here in Dallas / Ft Worth.

Our customer service manager is also looking to buy a car in the next week or so. She has been looking at some used Enterprise cars. I've tried to warn her not to do this, for the reason stated above. To date, she hasn't listened, maybe I should show her your post.

 

Tons of S80s have crossed eBay at that price point, 90% out of Dallas for some reason. Maybe that's where the wholesale auction houses are?

 

UT, w/respect to the turbo issue; It is my main cause for concern, and why I posted this thread. I see you avoided turbo cars when you were shopping for the V70 you ended up with... have you had problems in the past, or is more a philosophical aversion?

 

There are quite a few of them (wholesale auctions) here.

 

BTW, *If* I end up with a Volvo, it will be purchased at one of the 4 or so Volvo dealerships in the area, and not from a tote-the-note car lot or ebay. Even if not a certified vehicle, at least I will have a relationship with the dealer ahead of time if I have probs.

 

No prev prob, more of a philosophical perversion.



I guess I never know how fastidious the PO would be with oil changes etc, a used car is a crap shoot to start with, why stack the deck against one's self?

 

I hear you on the crapshoot of used cars, but at my price point, I'd rather gamble on a used luxury sedan, than a new kia or hyundai. For purely aesthetic and performance reasons.

 

Can anyone tell me if there is Preventive Maintainence required at mileage intervals on the Turbos systems? Never owned anything but NA cars and trucks.

 

Hey Dave.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/

Seems to be the highest volume Volvo forum, with a section for the S80

 

Thanks T.

 

Indeed, It seems this is a common problem. Everyone at "swede speed" concurs.

 

UroTrash has a minor presence there too.

Good forum with helpful people but really low volume activity.

 

I would urge her not to buy a used rental car... We did some decent damage to a Lincoln Navigator...
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