Why the Volvo S80 is a Used Car Bargain

"Andrew Seifert" (andrewseifert)
12/17/2014 at 18:44 • Filed to: None

Nobody's really paid much attention to the Volvo S80, at least here in the United States. For years it's sat on dealer lots without generating significant interest from the majority of the motoring press. Reviews have always praised its trademark Volvo safety features, but inevitably its German rivals got the majority of the attention. Most of its customer base seems to be middle-aged doctors and lawyers that don't care about impressing the neighbors with a Mercedes S Class or a BMW 7 Series.

As a new car, the S80 doesn't really have much going for it. Front wheel drive, a brand few people care about and an underwhelming interior are several reasons why it gets routinely passed over at the dealer lots. It's a leftover from the era when Ford owned Volvo, a time when they made solid but not spectacular cars.

The S80 does represent a fantastic value on the used car market. A quick search on Autotrader reveals that most 2-3 year old S80s are going for under $30K. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for sale in Louisville, Kentucky. $25K doesn't even get you a decent Accord or Camry these days. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , used luxury cars are a great value for the money.

The Volvo S80 is a great option for people who want luxury but don't care about the image and prestige that come with Audi or BMW. It also helps that you can get one for the price of a mid-range Hyundai Sonata.

DISCUSSION (28)

My citroen won't start > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 18:48

Obligatory:

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 19:00

Nice car. Only three problems with it:

aaand #3 .

Andrew Seifert > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
12/17/2014 at 19:04

Yeah, you're right. It's hard to justify getting an S80 when you can get an A6 or a 7 Series for that much.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 19:06

The other biggest problem the S80 has is the V70 and XC70. Volvo's typical buyers are very practical and sensible. They therefore want wagons. My dad, who doesn't want a 5-Series or E-Class because of the image thing you mentioned, would certainly look at an S80 if the XC70 didn't exist. But it does, so the S80 is out of the conversation, which is a shame, because they are nice cars.

Andrew Seifert > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
12/17/2014 at 19:12

Yeah, especially since the current XC70 is just a wagon version of the S80. No one buys the 2nd gen S80 because you can pay the same or a little more for an AWD wagon, which has way more function.

Long Live the Longdoor > My citroen won't start
12/17/2014 at 19:13

So much want!!

505Turbeaux > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 19:21

and the older ones have a legacy of transmission failure...

Ike > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 19:27

Can be had with a v-8 out of a mustang, and you can put at straight pipes on it, so that's why you should get one!

PyramidHat > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 19:31

I thought it was a wagon version of the S60, no?

The thing with the S80 is that it's nice. Not thrilling, but nice. As much as I like my Volvo (XC70) I'd choose the 5-series over the S80

PyramidHat > 505Turbeaux
12/17/2014 at 19:32

I think the first gen auto's and up to 2002 or so of the 2nd gen autos had problems. I have 125K on my '04 XC70 and so far, no issues (then again, I do baby it, which probably helps)

505Turbeaux > PyramidHat
12/17/2014 at 19:36

alot of prospective continued buyers - 960 -> S90 -> S80 buyers I know would still be rocking them if their autoboxes didnt bite it before 100K. They are gorgeous cars for sure.

PyramidHat > 505Turbeaux
12/17/2014 at 19:39

I don't want mine to fail for a long long long time, but when it does, I can't say I'm not mentally building an XC70R, complete with 6-speed... I'm sure that cost will be worth more than the car, but still...

505Turbeaux > PyramidHat
12/17/2014 at 19:47

I am imagining my old v70R AWD lifted with a stick, and I might have to be in my bunk for a bit

PyramidHat > 505Turbeaux
12/17/2014 at 19:52

Ah! Yes, a philosophical question: Is it better to lift a V70R, or to transplant a V70R engine/trans into an XC70. I'm thinking the first option would be more straightforwarder....

Also - how long do you really think you're going to be in your bunk? For me, it's like 30 seconds, and that includes time to remove/replace underwear...of course, with all this Volvo pron, you're sort of pre-loaded, anyway...

505Turbeaux > PyramidHat
12/17/2014 at 20:01

lol I am just having a very Volvo centric day. I would imagine lifting an R would be much easier. I was going to do it to my E320 4matic wagon but I dont have clearance I need without doing SERIOUS work. I can get a couple of inches and still have travel, but not like I want... alot of the xc suspension bits #should# bolt up

Andrew Seifert > 505Turbeaux
12/17/2014 at 20:18

I know that all to well. Had a 2001 V70 with the infamous transmission failure. Spent $3500 on a new valve body which sort of fixed the problem until I ran over a deer with the car and totaled it. Now I have a 2006 XC70 which is a much better car. 2001-2003 are the years to avoid.

Andrew Seifert > PyramidHat
12/17/2014 at 20:20

2001 and 2002 for sure. Also depending on who you ask, the 2003s as well.

Andrew Seifert > PyramidHat
12/17/2014 at 20:21

Nailed it! the 2001-2007 XC70s were wagon variants of the S60. 2008+ XC70s are built off the S80 frame (P24 platform)

PyramidHat > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 20:22

Yeah - I think 2003's were more of a transitional year/luck of the draw, when it comes to the transmission....

Andrew Seifert > 505Turbeaux
12/17/2014 at 20:22

Move to Sweden. You can order a turbo diesel XC70 with a manual. You can also buy current gen Rs as well.

Sn210 > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 20:23

my inlaws picked up an '09 in 2011 for about 50% off. It's a really comfortable cruiser with some decent tech. For as big as it is though, it's got a tight backseat. I'd love to get a v8 with straight pipes one day!

44444444444 > PyramidHat
12/17/2014 at 20:45

The P2 (2001-2007) XC70/V70 were based off of the S60, the P3 (2008+) are based off of the S80

505Turbeaux > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 20:46

meh or just get a half cut brought over. I did a turbo diesel manual swap some time ago on the boxy bodystyle 70 R and the old VW/Audi style TD

sellphones2493 > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 20:49

If I wanted an automatic transmission and for some reason, my S60R went away, I'd so buy a 2007ish S80 V8.

Heated Seats. Cooled Seats. Adaptive Cruise Control. Yamaha V8 that'll last a while.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 21:01

I just looked at one today, but sadly, the headroom was too short. If anyone is looking for a nice S80 for under $10,000 this one looks great,

Kinja'd!!!

It's a 2007 S80 3.2 with 78,000 miles, 1 owner, and perfect dealer service records and was just traded in on a new Mercedes. If it had had a bit more headroom, I probably would have bought it today.

Here is the link to it. http://www.mbgreensboro.com/used/Volvo/200…

Vi517, JDX Racing > Andrew Seifert
12/17/2014 at 22:11

My cousin just bought a 2010 S80 to replace his 740. It has 30,000 miles and he managed to get it for $14,000. I'm sure there is something wrong with it, like a crash or something, but still, damn.

Alex B > Andrew Seifert
12/18/2014 at 07:29

I saw a V8 today. It's a sign.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Andrew Seifert
05/25/2015 at 08:18

Earlier as well. 2000 V70R owner who had the terrible ETM failure issues! And the terrible 5 speed auto which turned to shit