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

lzy54610 · Post by **lzy54610** » 18 Sep 2016, 01:33

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.

Post by **abscate** » 20 Sep 2016, 04:16

Welcome..after your purchase budget you need another 1000-1500 to fix things that you find the PO neglected, typically.

Volvos are better than old Audis in cost of ownership but you have to do the work yourself.

Add tools and rental garage to the needs list

VolvoOwl98 · Post by **VolvoOwl98** » 31 May 2026, 14:45

abscate wrote: 20 Sep 2016, 04:16 Welcome..after your purchase budget you need another 1000-1500 to fix things that you find the PO neglected, typically.

Volvos are better than old Audis in cost of ownership but you have to do the work yourself.

Add tools and rental garage to the needs list

Fully agree, especially on the labor side of things. If you’re willing and able to read through forums, follow guides, and do a good amount of your own work, you’ll save quite the pretty penny. On my own ride (1998 V70XC, so a P80 chassis and not a P2 or P3 if you’re looking at the older models) I’ve saved several thousand dollars being able to fix (most) things myself.

Bonus points if you happen to have friends who are also into cars/mechanics, having a second person can be really helpful sometimes

Post by **cn90** » 31 May 2026, 16:48

I recommend a 2005-2009 S60 with < 100K miles.
Just take your time to find them. Should be around $3000-$5000.

Then check old service records and perform necessary maintenance (timing belt etc etc) as abscate mentioned above.

Post by **scot850** » 31 May 2026, 19:54

+1 on the service maintenance records. Even if the car has higher miles, if it has regular oil changes and general maintenance then you can perhaps find one of the 05-09 S60 or an 05-07 V/XC70 if you don't mind a wagon. with a V70 FWD you can manage without the AWD complexity depending where you live in the US if AWD is not needed for winters.

I would suggest plan for more for catch up maintenance. That would be the same no matter what brand you buy. Shame about the Audi 100 as they were good cars in their day. I was seriously looking at the 200 with the turbo AWD way back in the 1990's.

Good Luck with your search!

Neil.

Post by **cn90** » 01 Jun 2026, 02:42

I recommend sticking to FWD S60.
The Volvo AWD in the P2 platform is troublesome (the stripped sleeve issue).

Post by **erikv11** » 01 Jun 2026, 07:46

Volvos are not cheap to own and maintain, but one from the mid-2000s is probably optimal for the balance of reliability and quality. FWD is a good recommendation. AWD costs money and time to maintain.

2007 is the apex year for the P2 S60, then 2006, then 05, then 04. I would stay away from 2008-09 but that's maybe just me.

As stated, maintenance records are everything in a purchase like this. I usually buy them in the 130k range after shocks, struts and some front suspension has already been replaced. The <100k ones are almost nonexistent now so if you go that way then be prepared to wait for one and to do of some of those costly repairs yourself.

I like wagons (V70) but S60s are more plentiful.

Post by **vtl** » 01 Jun 2026, 07:49

erikv11 wrote: 01 Jun 2026, 07:46 I like wagons (V70) but S60s are more plentiful.

College life loves wagons more than anything. Basically can serve as truck, move fridges and electric pianos. Sleeps two.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 01 Jun 2026, 08:57

Do you need another project or you need reliable transportation? Audi 100/200, C3 and C4 are great fun cars, but 1992 with 2.6 v6...sorry years are not kind to anyone. Old volvo will be a problem too. It will suck a lot of money out of your pocket until it will be reliable. If you are still in college- you have to concentrate of studying and not picking up mechanical skills(unless you are in the program that can benefit from such knowledge).
I am firm advocate for new Honda Civic.(I like Corolla way better but the price of insurance will be higher with toyota since they are more prone to be stolen). This way you can budget for a price of the car(or lease) and insurance. For next 3 years you don't have to worry about repairs("small fortune "). Long story short- any old car is a "russian rullet ". Better get ahead in life now with new reliable car that will hold value good and when more financially stable and have more free time(no school work, no small kids, no extra work...) get yourself a decent old car and enjoy spending money at it

Post by **cn90** » 01 Jun 2026, 11:31

The P2 cars with <100K miles are out there but it takes patience to find them via Craigslist, FB marketplace, cars.com, kbb.com.

And it may not be local where ppl live.

A compromise is to raise it to 110K or 120K etc etc...

All of my P2 cars (qty = 3) had <100K when I bought them. All local. Because I had patience...