My Husband wants to purchase a 1999 S80 T6, I'm not so sure.

[Megs95301]

Here's my dilemma... My husband & I have two kids and our cars are OLD!! My parents owned a Volvo when I was a kid, it was super safe & really reliable. So, as we are looking to buy a "new" car, (new to us. But used in reality) he liked the look of the 99-06 S80. I do too. They're very attractive cars. Well, he has a "friend" that sells cars. Not exactly sure what's really going on & how he "gets" these cars but anyway...

1999 S80 T6 Silver w/Black interior 126,000 miles. Ok sounds good. Well, my car died last week. So he took it to his "friend" & he was gonna have it fixed. In the meantime, I get to "test drive" the Volvo we might buy. I LOVE it, but then again, I'd love anything with power locks & windows, such luxury. Now, his "friend" has said he's not "done" with the car, it still needs some work before he sells it.
Good Things:
--- He relpaced the R side dash w/a new airbag & the computer just needs to be reset so that the message will go away.
--- He wants to have the oil changed
--- He's gonna tint the windows
--- He put on new tires
--- He's gonna have an alignment done. (Should have been done when new tires are put on.)
Bad Things:
--- Not only does the SRS Airbag Message appear but, engine service & transmission service messages also appear.
--- Pulls to the left BAD.
--- Sounds a little whiny in 1st & 2nd.
--- Auto Check Report: 1-Natural Disaster Zone 2-Fleet/Lease Vehicle 3-Reported as Frame Damage
--- No jack or spare
--- Cruise Control broken
--- I think I smell gas when idling & the AC is on
--- Cosmetic issues -Center console broken -Knobs missing -Vanity Mirror shattered etc.


So, my question is IF we buy it, what should we pay??? I don't wanna give him any more than $2700!! Or will it cost us more than it's worth in the long run?

[jblackburn]

If you want a RELIABLE Volvo, do NOT buy an early S80 - especially a T6. They're pieces of junk.

Those lights are bad signs. T6's are notorious for exploding transmissions.

In fact, I'm not sure reliable Volvos exist anymore outside of the 240/740/940s.

[boosted5cyl]

Well im not quite as bearish as some on early S80s, but the one that you listed, forget about it. It will cost you a fortune. It has not been taken care of from the sounds of things.
Search my posts and you'll find a couple on early S80's. But as for the one that you are talking about, I don't think I'd even pay $500 to be honest. You'll sink double your $2700 into it before you know it.

By all means look at early S80's but you want to be starting with your good foot forward, ie looking at well cared for examples. Honestly, dont even bother testing it based on what you have posted.

[fazool]

Stay away.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =4&t=46812

1) early S80's can be lemons
2) its got frame damage = bad bad BAD
3) its got airbag issues from accident

Your husbands "friend" is concerned about tinting the windows?!?

For the same money, buy an 850 or an S60 with the same luxuries

[dcarlson12]

I have one which I bought when it had about 98,000 miles on it. I regretted it after doing some research. Horse had already left the barn. Unless you are into doing repairs yourself, stay away from this model and year and particularly run away from the one your husband's 'friend' is trying to unload on to you. I haven't had any major issues with my car but it seems the transmission used on this model (a GM four speed) is not up to the hp and torque which the 6 cylinder twin turbo puts out. It also has a lot of computers and unless you invest in a good code reader, it would cost a fortune to have the CEL reset when it comes on and it WILL come on. I do a lot of my own work and do like the car but would not buy it again. We have three Volvo 850's which my wife and sons drive and I would recommend it ahead of the S80 based upon reliability. The S80 also has a large turning circle which is fine for freeway cruising but crappy for parking lots. It will cruise comfortably at 80 miles per hour and will probably pin the speedo but I have never tried it. With all that is wrong with you 'friend's' car I wouldn't go near it.
If you can get say a 2005 or newer S80 with a five cylinder engine I would say go for it.

[Matty Moo]

I wouldn't pay for an s80. Electrically they can be a nightmare, sh**ty transmissions and incredibly hard to diagnose problems.

DO NOT BUY IT!!!!!