Need help or tips on making decision v70 vs s80 Topic is solved

Post by **CIK7** » 08 Feb 2021, 10:23

Heads up: because I'm considering a v70 and s80, this list will be in the v70 forums as well. I want opinions from both sides. I am also a hypocrite because I said I would never get a newer Volvo again but the realization of how unsafe my 960 is has me worried.
Anyway, I like space in my cars, therefore I do NOT want an s60. I am trying to decide between a v70 03-04 and 03-04 s80. I'm okay with my 960 that has the 2.9NA, so the s80 2.9na is okay for me. I do want the t6 because it's faster and more equipped.
General: On s80 topic, I'm trying to figure out if I want the 2.9 or t6.
Point 1: I would like the 2.9 because it's lower powered for the GM trans. I do not like the base model front seats, but can deal with them and change them later on.
Point 2: I would like the t6 because it's way faster (like 2sec faster) and has the upgraded seats and normally a better sound system too.
Questions: What are y'alls thoughts on this? What would y'all choose and why? What other factors should I consider? I know the -2003 models had that airbag recall. If I get an-03, I figure I can avoid a defective one by buying one from 2004 model. Do the rear seats fold down on all s80?

Post by **ndphotonl** » 09 Feb 2021, 02:31

I have an 2001 S80 2.4T and was in the market for a V70. In the end I got an offer I couldnt refuse on the S80 and when I drove it I was sold haha. I also looked at the T6, but the twin turbo put me off a bit as in: what if I have to replace both turbo's?

After having spent 2 years with the S80, I wish I went for the T6. S80 is a king of the road, very comfortable and quite easy to work on (dont know how this is for the T6), but that is also subjective as I dont know if you will work on it yourself. For me the S80 has been proven to be very reliable to me and I bought it with 186k miles.

Post by **CIK7** » 09 Feb 2021, 12:45

ndphotonl wrote: 09 Feb 2021, 02:31 I have an 2001 S80 2.4T and was in the market for a V70. In the end I got an offer I couldnt refuse on the S80 and when I drove it I was sold haha. I also looked at the T6, but the twin turbo put me off a bit as in: what if I have to replace both turbo's?

After having spent 2 years with the S80, I wish I went for the T6. S80 is a king of the road, very comfortable and quite easy to work on (dont know how this is for the T6), but that is also subjective as I dont know if you will work on it yourself. For me the S80 has been proven to be very reliable to me and I bought it with 186k miles.

I'm assuming you are outside the US. The US does not have the s80 with a 2.4t. only 2.9na and t6. I imagine that the smaller 2.4t would wear out faster because it's on a heavier than normal vehicle. I did find a white 2.9na with 103k miles but I don't want the same thing as what I have now in my 96 960. I suppose I would get a t6 if I could get a good deal on it.

Post by **CIK7** » 09 Feb 2021, 18:16

Anyone else have input?

frmtaat · Post by **frmtaat** » 17 Feb 2021, 04:11

I own a 99 S80, 2.4 non-turbo (indeed outside US), it's the 20 valve engine with 173 bhp which is absolutely enough for weight of the car. Consumption is also very acceptable comparing with the size of the car (9 liters on 100km). A family of 3 with dog and heavy amount of luggages can fit very comfortable in the car. I am 199 cm (maybe 6' 6 foot?) tall but can drive 500 km in a single session without any issues with passenger behind me. I drove many-many cars in my life but whenever i hop into my S80 i have the feeling of "home". Simply love it, with all the pain a first generation P2 have. This is a personal opinion with me never drove a V70 in my life so can't compare it, but for the S80, i can really-really recommend it!

cleven · Post by **cleven** » 12 Jun 2021, 02:42

CIK7 wrote: 08 Feb 2021, 10:23 Heads up: because I'm considering a v70 and s80, this list will be in the v70 forums as well. I want opinions from both sides. I am also a hypocrite because I said I would never get a newer Volvo again but the realization of how unsafe my 960 is has me worried.
Anyway, I like space in my cars, therefore I do NOT want an s60. I am trying to decide between a v70 03-04 and 03-04 s80. I'm okay with my 960 that has the 2.9NA, so the s80 2.9na is okay for me. I do want the t6 because it's faster and more equipped.
General: On s80 topic, I'm trying to figure out if I want the 2.9 or t6.
Point 1: I would like the 2.9 because it's lower powered for the GM trans. I do not like the base model front seats, but can deal with them and change them later on.
Point 2: I would like the t6 because it's way faster (like 2sec faster) and has the upgraded seats and normally a better sound system too.
Questions: What are y'alls thoughts on this? What would y'all choose and why? What other factors should I consider? I know the -2003 models had that airbag recall. If I get an-03, I figure I can avoid a defective one by buying one from 2004 model. Do the rear seats fold down on all s80?

I was with you on the never getting a newer volvo BUT here I am with a v70 ( Only because i could not find a 850 t5 wagon). I mainly got a v70 over the s80 for room. The power of the s80 sure did have me wanting im not gonna lie about that.

Post by **CIK7** » 12 Jun 2021, 08:07

cleven wrote: 12 Jun 2021, 02:42 I was with you on the never getting a newer volvo BUT here I am with a v70 ( Only because i could not find a 850 t5 wagon). I mainly got a v70 over the s80 for room. The power of the s80 sure did have me wanting im not gonna lie about that.

I went right back to rejecting the newer (99+) models because someone scared me by showing a diagram of a p2 v70 with all electronics tagged. I chose a 98 S70 gt 5spd. I'm ready to buy 89-95 or 5spd wagon.

cleven · Post by **cleven** » 12 Jun 2021, 21:10

CIK7 wrote: 12 Jun 2021, 08:07
cleven wrote: 12 Jun 2021, 02:42 I was with you on the never getting a newer volvo BUT here I am with a v70 ( Only because i could not find a 850 t5 wagon). I mainly got a v70 over the s80 for room. The power of the s80 sure did have me wanting im not gonna lie about that.
I went right back to rejecting the newer (99+) models because someone scared me by showing a diagram of a p2 v70 with all electronics tagged. I chose a 98 S70 gt 5spd. I'm ready to buy 89-95 or 5spd wagon.

Yeah im kind of stuck with this v70 . With over 400K no ones gonna buy it lol. ill just keep it BUT as soon as a 850 t5 wagon comes for sale for the right price im jumping on it!

Post by **CIK7** » 13 Jun 2021, 07:44

cleven wrote: 12 Jun 2021, 21:10
CIK7 wrote: 12 Jun 2021, 08:07
cleven wrote: 12 Jun 2021, 02:42 I was with you on the never getting a newer volvo BUT here I am with a v70 ( Only because i could not find a 850 t5 wagon). I mainly got a v70 over the s80 for room. The power of the s80 sure did have me wanting im not gonna lie about that.
I went right back to rejecting the newer (99+) models because someone scared me by showing a diagram of a p2 v70 with all electronics tagged. I chose a 98 S70 gt 5spd. I'm ready to buy 89-95 or 5spd wagon.
Yeah im kind of stuck with this v70 . With over 400K no ones gonna buy it lol. ill just keep it BUT as soon as a 850 t5 wagon comes for sale for the right price im jumping on it!

It looks good! Keep driving it! 400k? I'm sure you could get it to over 500k. I really enjoyed my run with this gt but I'm done with the FWD after my experience with the 960. All I gotta do with my 03 accord coupe 6spd is find a nice 960/s90 driver seat to swap upholstery with. Driving 4 hours in it upset my back and I still had another 8 hours to go. I've pampered myself with volvos so much that I'm spoiled.