There's a new car in my future, is it an S60?

[JustMeAndMyAudi]

Hey guys, I'm doin an internship for this semester and with the money I earn I would like to buy a new car. I currently drive an 1992 Audi 100s. It's my first car (got it last summer) and it'll always have a special place in my heart but all the parts are just dying one by one. Since last summer, I've done a new tune-up, new power steering pump, new wipers, new trunk shocks, new brake pads and rotors, new radiator cooling fan, new headliner and I've spent a small fortune in little pieces like door handles plus oil changes and tire rotations. I wouldn't have minded spending the money if the car was running well but it's not. Like I said, this car will always have a special place in my heart but I'm going to need to part with it just because I don't think it's going to last.

I still have another 2 years of college and I need this thing to go to and from upstate NY and Mass about 6 times (or more) in a 9 month school year. I also probably would want to keep the car past graduation as well.

I decided that I like all the luxury goodies like leather, heated seats, power everything, CD player, etc that I have in my car, I just don't want any of the headache that came with it, like electrical problems and parts not lasting. The only other thing I require is more headroom. I'm relatively tall guy (6'2") and it gets cramped in the Audi, height-wise so I require more headroom.

So after doing some research, I found that the number one replacement for me would be a Lexus LS400, I like the car a lot. It's track record is pretty impressive and for a V8, it has better gas mileage than my current V6 and a lot of other V6s out there. My 2 issues with the car is the dated look (I'm looking to get a 97 to 2000) and it's rear wheel drive. If anyone knows anything about upstate NY and Mass, you know that snow can get crazy. I was assured that with good snow tires and traction control I would be fine and it would handle just as good as a FWD car.

Now I looked at Audi, BMWs, Mercedes, VW and they all seem to be plagued with electrical problems no matter what year. So I looked around some more and remembered Volvo, more specifically 2002 or higher S60 with AWD. So far what I have read I would describe as solid but not excellent. I do appreciate that it has every single feature possible, it has more headroom than the Audi, and it is AWD. Also, the look is more updated and modern and I think may fit a 20-something better. Some of the stories on here, frankly, scare me a bit.

So, what can you guys give me in the realm of advice and help? Or just thoughts in general.

Thanks a lot!!!

[JBRollo]

I have a 2002 S60 which I loved at first. Mine already seems to have a transmission problem (see forum topics on slipping transmission) with only 50,000 miles. If you want to get it flushed, fluid is $20/ quart!!. So that could be up to $350 if you use Volvo fluid. Volvo suggests no alternative but fortunately Mobil Oil does. If that does not fix it, its possibily $2500 for a new valve body...these were a defective design apparently but Volvo issued no recalls.
An extra key will cost you $200 and an extra remote about $100-150.
Forget getting any shop manuals. There are none, partly because it cost you several thousand to get just the VADIS and that is only part of the data. Are you getting the picture yet? This car is outrageous to maintain and they keep all the data to themselves. It is not even reliable anymore like the three I had before.
I bought Volvos for safety, reliability and maintainability. I can say they are still safe! Too bad...they drive like a dream.

Jim R.
Georgia