I purchased a 1999 S80 T6 about a year and a half ago. My thoughts are this. The car has the most comfortable seats ever made. The stereo (I have the in-dash 4 disc CD changer) has wonderful sound, though the controls are relatively cumbersome & the display periodically cuts off portion of the numbers/words, etc.. The engine is very smooth and is pretty quick, especially considering the size of the car. The ride is smooth and relatively quiet. Handling is pretty good, again, especially considering the size. I have a friend with a '99 Audi A6 and it just does not compare to my T6 when it comes to comfort, ride, and performance. Styling is about equal. I enjoy the A6's red interior lights & digital gauges/thermostats, etc. (has an airpline cockpit feel), but I thoroughly enjoy the simple yet sophisticated feel of the T6 interior. Other friends have A4s and 3-series. While these cars obviously are in a different class, there is no comparison to the T6 when it comes to ride and comfort, and the T6 greatly exceeds in regards to styling. Obviously the A4 and 3-series are a bit more quick off the gun and have better handling... the benefit of their small size.

Now the other side of the story. My "service" and "emission" lights have been on almost continuously. Repairs have been many and very expensive. I purchased the car with a little less than 70K of freeway miles. Since purchasing I have replaced front struts, ball joints, sway bar links, inner and outer tie rods, mass air flow sensor, & front and rear brakes (brakes were expected maintenance). Overall, these repairs probably have cost me somewhere between $3 - $4 K (twice the price I paid for my previous car... which by-the-way, had none of the repairs above except new brakes during the 100K of miles I put on it). On top of this, keep in mind the cost of scheduled maintenance. For example, the 90K schedule maintenance at my dealer was around $800. Also have had some thermostat and other dash lights go out... apparently will cost around $200 to have dealer replace these bulbs (all labor)!

So have I been happy with my T6? Yes I have. Would I buy another T6 or recommend it to others? Not without a reliable warranty under my belt or a second job lined-up to pay for repairs. I think my message is consistent with others, though maybe a bit more explicit. They too likely have been plagued with repairs, but have been fortunate/smart enough to have warranties to cover the cost. It is a shame really, because I thoroughly enjoy the comfort, ride, and performance of this car. Anyway, hope this is helpful. Good luck!

2002 is definitely the better model year. Get an '03 if you can afford it. I would definitely buy 'Certified Used' from a Volvo dealer. If you're planning to buy private party, you should find one that is still within its original factory warranty, as it can be extended with Volvo Increased Protection (VIP) warranty to 7yr/100K. Or better yet, buy from a private party that has already bought the VIP warranty-- it can be transferred to a new owner for $50.

02 is definitely the better of the two years, as the tranny on the earlier years was not well controlled. Honestly though, I would opt for a V70R in the 2001-2002 range over the T6.