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Re: S80 Reliability/Quality? S80 2002

I'm 60, so understand perfectly your point of view. As much as I enjoy driving the S80 (when my wife allows me), I cannot recommend it if you plan to keep it past the warranty expiration (48 months / 50K miles in the US). When everything is working, it is fabulous. However, the systems, particularly the electronics, are extremely complicated, with many components virtually inaccessible, only available from Volvo, and ridiculously expensive. Everything is interconnected by a computer network, so, for example, a problem in the radio could affect the brakes or heater! Even the dealers have trouble determining the cause of problems; independent mechanics will have no chance whatsoever. I think the engines are solid, but the transmissions, sourced from General Motors, have a dismal service record in GM cars. I think turbochargers represent a bad engineering choice driven by social policy (cars are taxed by engine displacement in many countries). Give me raw displacement for power and long life.

If fun-to-drive and reliable are your top priorities, you might want to look at the new V6 Nissan Altima. I drove my '86 Maxima for 120,000 miles and never had a component failure of any kind except one headlight bulb ($5). I did all of the recommended maintenance "by the book". It still had the original clutch and brake rotors when I sold it.







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New S80 Reliability/Quality? [S80][2002]
posted by  someone claiming to be Hbum  on Tue Dec 11 09:03 CST 2001 >


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