Why do you (still) drive a P80?

[Clemens]

So, why do you still drive a P80 Volvo after well over 20 years?

[BlackBart]

Partly because they were, and are, a great car.

[FlyingVolvo]

My dad bought this car new in 2000. Gifted it to me as my first car in 2008 as I went to college. It had some issues and he basically said, "it's yours but maintenance is mostly on you!". That's where I found MVS and really got into wrenching on my own. I really learned a lot of self-confidence and self-reliance by working on this thing, learning to master driving it, and having it take me everywhere. So many memories in this car. Been to Alaska and back, tons of coast-to-coast trips, and more miles than most.

So, lots of sentimental value yes. Other than that, it's really is a great car. Compared to most SUVs and crossovers nowadays, it seems tiny... but man is the room inside efficient. I've moved my life about 5 times in this car, even pulling a very heavy trailed on a couple occasions. It's powerful when it needs to be, efficient if you work at it, safe, and just drives very well. Honestly, if you keep up on maintenance and tackle issues before they become issues, this car is very reliable. If you think this car can just be a beater and do the minimum on, it will let you down, as with most machines.

Financially, I get a lot of people who ask me why I don't get something new when I drop 2500 on a used trans, or 500 here, or 100 there. The reality is, if I got a new car I really wanted, I'd probably be looking at 5-600/month in payment with insurance and all that. When you look at it that way, 2500 for a new trans isn't that bad if I keep and enjoy the car another 5+ months.

If I could have any car I wanted in the world right now, it would be this 2000 V70XC wagon with 0 miles, a fresh coat of paint, and a host of various mods and upgrades. The upgrades I have in my signature were done in the last 10,000 miles. I so wish I had done them earlier! That being said, maybe if I had done them earlier I wouldn't be at almost 300K on this engine. =)

There are def things I don't like about this car. Poorly designed AWD in my opinion, which leads to many other complications regarding suspension and other parts.

[June]

I don't drive a P80 anymore, but would like to see the results of the poll. Is there a way to see without voting? Thanks, June

[abscate]

I’ll snap a pic and post once we have left the Poisson regime

[Sveedy]

What ? Those are my only choices ? Nothing about the Goldilocks balance between power, comfort, style and practically ?

[abscate]

The most comfortable front seats of any car, ever.

Comfortable rear seats

Heated third rear seat

[Stu70]

Because they look, drive, and repair fantastically.
Plus there are only 19 ‘98 S70s in the country, I’m the only one in any car park.

[Clemens]

What ? Those are my only choices ? Nothing about the Goldilocks balance between power, comfort, style and practically ?

How stupid of me to forget the comfort. It still is teally comfortable. I guess I can't add that anymore, but should have.

[Clemens]

That's where I found MVS and really got into wrenching on my own. I really learned a lot of self-confidence and self-reliance by working on this thing, learning to master driving it, and having it take me everywhere. ...
So, lots of sentimental value yes. Other than that, it's really is a great car.

I'm in the same boat. Even though I had swapped a complete drivetrain including the wiring harness into an 80ies Opel 15 years ago and had wrenched on old Chevys and a 72 Lincoln, it wasn't till my 854's radiator started leaking that I really got into fixing my daily drivers with confidence. MVS and Robert's videos really tought me alot about cars and selfrespect. Seriously, not needing to go to a shop for most repairs really makes me feel good.