There is a 1999 Volvo S 80 for sale locally at three hundred dollars. Seller says it has a new front end and new front brakes, a new computer and a new transmission was installed four years ago. She has moved on to another car.

A local service garage here in Vancouver recommended against it, saying there are a lot of issues with that model. The garage is trustworthy so I am inclined to take their advice.

It runs rough and will probably need a new battery. Seller says the valves are good when she replied to a specific question about that.

It seems like a lot of car for such a small price and my experience with older models has generally been positive.

What is the collective wisdom on these cars?

That is scrap price, and no wonder because it is the first year of the S80. Tranny replaced is a good thing, running rough could just be the coils. Or it could be a host of other problems.

If you have a place to store it and work on it, it might be a fun project. But, it will never appreciate in value no matter what you do to it. I could be a cheap 'beater' car, or a $2500cdn money pit.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Hello Klaus,

It sounds like you are confirming the garage's opinion that these early S80s had a lot of issues.

I have had good luck bringing an old 960 around a bit and getting it to a new owner but I think I will stay away from this one.

Thanks for your input.

Bob

This isn't bad either:
https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van/cto/d/vancouver-1996-volvo-850/7015622808.html


The 850's will not go up in value, but the seats still look good. It will require PCV cleanup/replcement, I assume lots of slow/cold engine driving.

Some one broke the tack needle!!
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

That does look like a pretty nice car. Like the color! Low miles/Kms for an 850. Only 99k miles! Perhaps the best year for the 850’s. My 95 855 was still running pretty well when I sold it with about 250k miles on it.
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

Consensus here is that early S80’s can be troublesome. OTOH - if you find a newer S80 I wouldn’t be afraid of it. Stick with the 5 cylinder turbo. Time proven engine and turbo.
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....