I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on the reliability of the S80. I have used 1999, 2001 and 2002's available locally at good prices with under 100k on them. I am replacing an incredibly reliable 1993 850 and have enjoyed my experience so I am looking for something similarly relaible. What are the issues you guys have seen is it worth 5k to 6.5k for one?

I have a 2002 S-80 bought having 34K miles in 2005. Now have 130K miles. Here is what had been spent thus far:
Idler bearing at 129K miles - $276
Gas door hinge at 128K miles - $40
Inner tie rods and align at 118K - $536
Front axle hubs and bearings at 109K - $300 (my install)
105K service w/timing belt - $999
Stabilizer links, control arm bushings and front shocks at 92K - $830
Top engine mount at 86K -$50 (my install)
Rear shocks and connecting links at 83K - $335
45K Service - $300
Not to mention oil changes every 3K and 2 sets of tires over 96K miles.

Total repair - $3,667 over 96K miles and almost 5 years = $745/year.
Hope this helps -- Car rides great and its a keeper.

I have a friend with one of the earlier S80s he bought new. The car consumes thousand of dollars in repairs and maintenance every year.

Be careful as this might be money pit. I had to replace front control arm bushing in 2004 90K. Dealer quote $780. Few years ago, the same bushing in 960 by the same dealer were replaced for $260. It is hard and expensive to fix this car. Be prepared to visit dealer often.

I spoke with a service tech at Volvo of Tacoma, Bob Fuchs (pronounced Fox) when I was looking at S80's. His advice to me was to stay away from the 99 to 01 models. He said that 2002 and later were substantially better. Give Bob a call, I'm sure he'd be willing to talk with you about it. I ended up looking at a 97 S90 with 77K mi and a 02 S60 with 73K mi both for about the same amount of money. I opted for the S60 NA.

Great idea, I can probably give him a call. Anyone else have thoughts. I am leaning hard toward the 2002 S80 with 94k, the dealer is asking 6,900. I like the look of it. Anyone else have thoughts? Is this thing a money pit? The msn reliability for this car looks pretty good.

As far as I know, 2002+ S80s are okay. Unless its a T6, then you might expect a trans failure.
Do the have any 03 2.9s?
--
Jake