Hey

One of my friends buddies has a 1999 S80 T6 with 63 thousand miles on it. He is moving away so he said he would sell me the car just to make some extra $$ for 5 thousand bucks. It just had the oil leak fixed which was pretty pricey and the computer was also just replaced. Beyond that I haven't seen any paperwork on what else has been done but hopefully beyond that it should be alright. My question is, should I buy this car? I can't see myself letting a high end volvo go for 5 grand with only 60K on her. I have read about the timing belt issue and this concerns me. I also have read alot of reviews saying how this car is a huge headache etc etc. But the other half says its an awesome car. I do cross country driving year round, so a reliable car is obviously essential...more so than a town car, I could be in the middle of kansas for all I know... Any help is appreciated. Thanks

$5k is not a bad price for the low mileage, even better if it is color and has the options you want.

The car should not leave you stranded if you look after it with regular servicing. Some service or repair work may require a dealer or Volvo independent repairer equipped with diagnostic computers.

It will be more or less as reliable as the average luxury European car.

Parts will be pricier than your average Japanese car, but part prices in the US are usually pretty good. Aftermarket parts are also readily available. Free extended warranty in the USA for the ETM.

It is an awesome car, but my opinion is probably biased.

Free extended warranty in the USA for the ETM. What does that mean? This is the 1999 version which seems to have alot of issues. I read that all these issue can be fixed by just getting a computer update on the machine? True?!? Also, is it a bad idea to drive this car on regular gas? thanks

All Volvos today use an Electronic Throttle Module instead of the old cable to control throttle. (You can search this forum for more info).

However, 1999 - 2001 (and some 2002) Volvos used a less reliable Italian ETM. Volvo has extended the warranty to 10 years / 200,000 miles, so you don't have to pay for this if it fails. Bear in mind, most Volvo owners outside the USA has to bear this cost. About US$800 - US$1200 (more for overseas owners).

Volvo claims that software upgrade would fix some ETM issues. Result are mixed here (works for some not for others).

Most of the things that go, don't cost that much although if it happens together it can be a little overbearing.

Some common faults
- spring seats (less common for strut mounts and swaybar links)
- MAF sensor
- ABS module
- o-ring seal on heater core (symptoms coolant leak on left side - passenger compartment)
- O2 sensors
- ETM

This faults can be a little more expensive if they occur
- steering rack
- turbo return seals (oil leak)
- transmission - upshift judder 2nd to 3rd (faulty selenoid)

Use the higher Octane 91 - 93 where available (although a lower octane would not hurt)

Well yea, as I said, I believe the car just had the computer totally redone by volvo and the coolant was leaking and they fixed that. Im going on a test drive today to see how she is so I'll find out the full details on it. Should I have the timing belt done replaced with 63K on it? I drive cross country remember and having a timing belt blow out in 5K would not be good. Are the belts really a huge issue at such low miles? thanks

Maintenance schedule states 90,000 miles.

I had mine done at 130,000km (78,000miles) and it was pretty worn by then.

Tech (a Volvo technician) has seen them break before their scheduled replacement.

I would just get them done at the next service (66k / 72k) or before you go on a big trip.