Thoughts about buying the S60..

Gina_Zi · Post by **Gina_Zi** » 17 Oct 2009, 21:14

Hello fellas and ladies! I will try not to ramble on too much, but I’ve been looking to get a new car for about 6 months, and just fallen in love with the Volvos. I’ve read everything I can find on the internet about them and these forums have been a wonderful help, thank you for having this wealth of information here to share!!

I do have a couple of questions to throw out if anyone can please help. From all this reading, I’m thinking the best pick in my budget range would be a 2002-2005 S60 with turbo. I’m no mechanic at all but have been blessed with both a Dad and boyfriend who are moderately talented at wrenching and willing to do oil changes and routine maintenance for the low price of parts, a few cold beers and a home cooked dinner.

I understand how the Volvo is not quite a Honda for reliability and cheapness of repair, but do you guys think these model years have the same long life potential of the later 90s models when well taken care of? I will be keeping this car for along time, for example, I’ve been driving a 1995 civic for the past 12 years. I just can’t stand it anymore! I want something nicer and sportier, my right foot has been so unhappy for along time lol!

I have learned so much from reading here but would love to hear any extra thoughts or advice anyone has if you please. I test drove 2 S60s this weekend ( a 2002 & a 2005) and am ready to put the money down in the next week. It is tough trying figure out which one is the best buy..

The 2002 was white with lots of service records from the dealer on carfax and 89k miles. The front end seemed kinda wobbly when I drove it, some sort of tire squeal like noise when I did tight circles in a parking lot also. It pulled to the right once on a hard brake test. Dealer guy said they would check out the front end issue “right away”

The black 2005 stole my heart in the looks department, but it has 66k miles and no available service records on carfax at all. This one is at a small mom and pop type car lot, said they bought the car at an auction. It drove nice, solid and quiet on my test run. However, there was a low coolant message when I started it up. The salesman put some water in it and told me “that will happen on any car from time to time”

I can link the autotrader adds if anyone really wants to get into it and take a closer look. Any input would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Post by **velorider** » 17 Oct 2009, 23:24

I can share a few experiences of my wife 02 S60 2.4T with 90K. Overall the car has been great and fun to drive. At the mileage we had to replace the control arm bushing because they worm out, along with both the top and bottom torque mounts. So you can probably expect this sort of wear on components with that many miles. It sound about right from your comments about the loose front end. All are easily checked before you buy if you are concern or easily fixed by boyfriend or dad. Also at the 105 mark, means new timing belt, bearing, tensioner, and possible water pump, i.e regular maintenance.

If you could, I would pick up the 05. Later models means fewer manufacturer issues and lower milages mean less wear on the parts. Everything I've read about the S60, the later the models the fewer the problems.

Post by **JRL** » 18 Oct 2009, 09:38

Neither of those two sound any good
IM or email me, I sell only Volvos and can find you a good S60
I'm in the Philly, PA area so you're not that far
and try to stick with 03's and newer if you can afford it.
If you contact me I will tell you why.
Jim
[email protected]

Gina_Zi · Post by **Gina_Zi** » 18 Oct 2009, 16:38

Thank you for the replies guys, I appreciate you taking the time to post back. I don't think I will consider the 2002 anymore. I really did like the 2005 better and am glad there are more reasons other than better looks going for it! Maybe some good ones will pop up on autotrader or craigslist this week, I will keep looking.

I also sent you an email JRL. Sadly I am pretty far south of PA