What to look for when buying a 2002/2003 S80?

[instarx]

Hi guys... I'm slumming from the V70xc section.

I am looking for a used car for a female relative and have found an 2002 S80 T6 for sale locally at a dealer. 87K, 3-month warranty, service records, $11,900 asking price. There is also a 2002 standard S80 (80K miles) for 2K less at another dealer but no service records. The both look great in their pictures, but don't they all?

What S80-specific questions should I ask, and what should I look out for when I inspect these cars? Ball joints I gather, and timing belts. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[subdewd]

Look on the vehicle and if it says volvo s80
you know it's trouble.
Actually the record speaks for itself, get a copy
of the service log from the dealer,
you'll probably be amazed so many thing can
actually go wrong with a car. And they say Detroit has quality issues!

[MadeInJapan]

I don't know if I agree with the last poster or not...the '99 was plagued with issues as was the '00 and '01 but as the car has gotten newer and problems worked out, the S80 (Volvo Flag Ship) has gotten better and better with less and less problems. If the '02 and '03 are so bad, I'd like to see specifics. Now, to answer the question from the original poster, I guess just the typical things for a Volvo- make sure the transmission shifts nicely and that the fluid isn't black or burnt...this is the weak spot on most Volvo's. Also, make sure that there are records and all issues have been fixed. If there are tons of "fixes," then you might be looking at a lemon and best to walk away.

[damotu]

Member 'subdued' comments on all S80's are his not necessarily all S80 owners...My 02 S80 T6 has given me no problems and now has 104,000 miles...The 99's-00's and 01's did indeed have ETM and tranny problems and electrical so I've read from the many posts....
You could always take the interested vehicle to your local mechanic, (even the dealer, but it would cost) to have them check the car over and get their opinion., especially if you've never owned a Volvo...If the seller objects then don't buy it.
Good luck...

[instarx]

Thanks for the help. I've owned three Volvos, although the first two (a 142 and a 144) were like a different species compared to current Volvos.

We've decided to hunt through S60s instead of S80s. My relative can get a newer car with lower mileage for just slightly more money than those 2002's listed in my first post . We're also looking at 2000 or 2002-2003 V70s. I'm going to skip the 2001 model year in everything Volvo.

[MadeInJapan]

I'm going to skip the 2001 model year in everything Volvo.

Probably a good idea.