We went as high as the President of VOlvo North America. While the Volvo offices were very nice, friendly and professional all they offered us a "Re-Manufactured" (used) transmission with the full 48/50K warranty. Standard warranty practice.

They would not go for an extended warranty on the transmission. If they are so confident in this used transmission I do not understand why they would not stand behind it.

The Volvo contact for the area John Mars will not speak to customers. I do not know how this guy got his job or deserves to keep it if he cannot speak with a customer.

I even offered to pay more money to get into a different Volvo car to make my mom feel more confident. No go.

I am giving Volvo the benefit of the doubt that this problem is simply bad luck and the S80 tranmission will last 100K miles. But I am not holding much hope.

FYI: I own a Saab and have had zero problems for over 60K miles. I was planning on buying an S60R this summer. Not any more.

If you want to pay 40K for a car, have a major failure in 2,500 miles, be without the car for over a week, have corporate people unwilling to speak with you, and no ability to negotiate or understand your situation in any way....THEN YOU SHOULD DEFINATELY BUY A VOLVO. Otherwise I would buy a Saab.