Older S60 vs newer S80

SacredHeart · Post by **SacredHeart** » 14 May 2026, 05:37

I currently own and drive a 2006 S60 2.5T AWD with appx 150K on it. No issues. Well maintained.

Recently I noticed some low(er) millage T6 S80s from 2012-2015 in my general area that have peaked my interest for maybe an additional $5-7K over what I could hopefully get for my car.

I believe that my current car has at least 100K miles remaining in it assuming I continue to maintain it and have no accidents. Purchasing one of the S80 would have upfront cost and also require maintenance but hopefully have about 2x the life in it after purchase.

There is nothing lacking in my current S60 except I maybe wish it was a little bigger car. I cannot help but think that newer is better when it comes to cars, but that's not the only consideration. I think that there is some technology in the newer S80 that would be useful. But I am not convinced one way or the other about what I might want to do with an eye on the future.

I lucked into my S60 and believe it is a very nice car that I have no worries about. I am hoping that you can help me to determine if there are any considerations that I am not taking into account between these 2 options. I really do not know much specifically about that vintage of S80 and see of other than the obvious, newer low millage car, there is anything else that I need to be considering when trying to determine what I want to do here. I am not in dire need for anything like when I purchased the S60.

I would love to know your thoughts on this if you could be so kind. Thanks for your help.

Post by **vtl** » 14 May 2026, 07:19

I made a mistake and purchased a brand new P3 in 2016. That was XC60 with 5 cylinder engine and 6 speed transmission. I regretted this decision dearly all 5 years I've owned it. Haven't seen new car reliability nor comfort of a newer generation. Luckily, COVID used cars prices went crazy, so I sold it for a good price.

Some people say P3 is better platform than P2. I think otherwise. Disregarding the platform, S80 would be a nicer car than S60 in general.

Since you are in a rust belt, look for rust. P3 is Ford-based, Ford does not know how to rust proof cars. P2 is the last true Swede (designed before Ford took over). I could not stop the subframe rust, whatever I sprayed it with, it was flaking off. They perhaps welded it with wrong filler rod, so it was rusting internally in the weld seams.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 14 May 2026, 09:24

I have both P2 and P3. Both platforms are decently good with their own "problems". Agree with VTL about rust issues on P3. In my experience(5 P3 cars) Krown and Fluid film spray works well to protect them, but P2 is way better in terms of rust.
If your s60 is fwd with 2.5T and you are doing great maintenance and buying parts from fcp(lifetime warranty) I would stay away from upgrading to P3 which will be out of the warranty, questionable service hx, likely 3.0T or 3.2 engines which will require more money to maintain.
Comfort- same as VTL said, S80 will be better.

SacredHeart · Post by **SacredHeart** » 15 May 2026, 04:56

Thank you so much for your responses.

My S60 is the most comfortable car I have ever owned. It is also the nicest driving car as well. I have almost no issues except the very cramped back seat which is almost never an issue for me personally and the lower gas mileage than I would like. One of the S80s was a Texas car so rust would not be an issue and pretty complete service records. My gut has been telling me to stay with the car I have and ride it out. I always like knowing about alternatives in case something comes up. I do know where there is a 2008 V8 S80 with about 100K miles, but it has been on a lot for years now and been in the rust belt its entire life.

Post by **vtl** » 15 May 2026, 05:02

Put your new (to you) car money into investment account with 10% annual return. You will have enough money to cover the fuel cost difference between your old reliable car and new fuel efficient car. If the sum in account is more significant, you even get free fuel. And all your money preserved.

And, no, 3.2 or 3.0T in a heavier car is not more fuel efficient.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 15 May 2026, 08:00

For reference, my dad's 2015xc60 with T6 3.0 is almost as good on gas as my v8 F150. Around 18 in the city and 23 highway. You are probably getting 22/30 on your S60.

SacredHeart · Post by **SacredHeart** » 15 May 2026, 11:05

I wasn't saying the S80 was more fuel efficient. I should have made that clear. I understand that the S80 with a bigger motor and heavier car is not likely to match the S60. What I was saying is that one of the few things about my current S60 that I was less than pleased with is the actual fuel efficiency of the car. Around the town mileage has been horrible. Highway is not bad. I am not getting close to 22/30. Highway is close to 24. I have not calculated the exact mileage in a bit.

Post by **vtl** » 15 May 2026, 11:11

2.5T AWD it is not fuel efficient by modern standards. Best I had on highways in my 05 XC70 was 24 as well. Now, with 99% in-town traffic I get 12-14 MPG. As long as it starts every morning, I'm ok with it.

SacredHeart · Post by **SacredHeart** » 16 May 2026, 07:44

All things considered, I am ok with the mileage. I can smoke just about anything off the line if I care to try. It just goes with almost no effort. The car barely gets over 2500 RPM at 80 MPH.

hu5ker555 · Post by **hu5ker555** » 18 May 2026, 11:59

IMHO...save your $$$. That said, I am extremely loyal to the P2 with my 2008 S60 2.5T at 260k miles. I will be sad when she leaves me. Not looking forward to finding a replacement. Have been on CarGurus autosearch for a 2005-2008 S60 T5 in the midwest for several years just in case. Have never seen one show up. If she craps out someday, I just might have to jump ship and find a 2000s Buick Lesabre. They have a couch for a front seat.