Alrighty, lets help Kalaka find a car!

"Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom" (jeremyhampson) 03/31/2014 at 12:30 • Filed to: None

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So, on the previous episode of Kalaka likes to look at cars that have more problems then they are worth, I went to check out a 2000 Volvo S80 T6, guy said the transmission was having slight lag issues, that was a mother, fucking, understatement. At dead stops the transmission got stuck in 2nd gear, and then slammed into first once I started going a bit. And this was at, every. single. light. Talk about being a tad dangerous.

Anywho, so I have found this thing

Here is the Craigslist listing.

So I hear these beasts engines are pretty bulletproof, is that true? This one looks semi clean, the guy said the serpentine belt should be changed soon, but is not an immediate issue. That is the only issue he said, besides someone apparently trying to pick the lock and just ended up scratching the paint. My main questions would be, I guess, what are the main downsides to this car, and what should I look out for?

Frosted > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom 03/31/2014 at 12:36

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I hate to say I told ya so but I told ya so. The s80 could've been so nice but it's always plagued with bad trannies.

505Turbeaux > Frosted 03/31/2014 at 12:40

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Volvo had a bad run on trannies from 98-early 00's for sure. That 1st gen XC70 always had issues too. Do you know what the failure mode was on the S80 trannies? Bad sport/normal/winter switches causing too many 3rd gear starts?

yamahog > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom 03/31/2014 at 12:40

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How many miles are on it? I have a 97 4.0L with 238k and it's burning a little oil but still going strong. Some of the nonserviceable "lifetime" components (such as the fuel pump/filter for 97 and up) could easily go before the engine, so keep an eye on that. Check all the major electrical connections, the power windows like to die early on these. Also, if you're planning on using the 4WD make sure it works, and crawl under it to assess the rust situation. I'd say have a mechanic buddy check it out, find some minor repair to be done, offer under $3000.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Frosted 03/31/2014 at 12:40

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Yeah, I had my hopes high, but I definitely wasn't going to take a chance on it. The seller was a cool guy but it was obvious he was hiding stuff or trying to make it seem like not as bad, for one the driver seat was absolutely filthy, didn't see that in the pictures. And when he had the transmission replaced he had it done by a "guy that knows volvo's" i.e., a guy that doesn't have the right Volvo computer equipment. Wasn't going to buy that headache.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > yamahog 03/31/2014 at 12:43

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It's got 178k miles, I'm talking to him right now about taking it to a shop that I trust, they will tear the thing apart and find anything and everything wrong with it, so I'm not worried about something slipping under the radar. In his listing hes asking 3200, so where should I start the haggling process at, say 2700?

Party-vi > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom 03/31/2014 at 12:43

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I purchased my XJ with 189,000 miles and it took rear-ending a Mercedes to kill it over 100,000 miles later. Nice that the radiator was replaced. You need to find out when the waterpump and timing cover were replaced as well (if they were); if the water pump wears out it will leak coolant onto the timing cover and corrode it away. The AW4 is a good transmission and the 4.0L engine will run forever as long as you change the oil. Crawl under it and also lift the foot well carpets to check for rust/rot. Make sure the 4WD works. Expect close to 20mpg on the highway, and don't ask about city mpg. Also, referencing a passing Virginia inspection means they turned the lights on and honked the horn. If you plan on taking it to Maryland you might as well budget in some additional repairs.

Frosted > 505Turbeaux 03/31/2014 at 12:46

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Winter mode helped the tranny on its way to death but really just driving the car post 100k was asking for trouble. The XC70 post 03 was better, 01 and 02, when it was the v70 XC, are the troubled ones. Even the non-v8 XC90s had trans issues.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Party-vi 03/31/2014 at 12:47

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Alrighty, I asked about the timing belt and he said it was done, I'll ask about maintenance records and all that good stuff. I don't plan on taking it to Maryland, I just want to use it as an everyday commuter/beater, about a good 60 miles a day. I'm willing to take the hit on gas as long as I don't have to have it in the shop every month like my Honda right now.

505Turbeaux > Frosted 03/31/2014 at 12:48

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those Aisin Warner they used in the early to mid 90's, front and rear wheel drive were rugged as all hell. Too bad they took that dive

Party-vi > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom 03/31/2014 at 12:52

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Take it for a test drive. Make sure the emissions light isn't on. Listen for thunking and other noises. Because it's 4WD, you'll potentially have up to six u-joints that could need replaced. Cherokees are great vehicles, but you don't want to start with one that needs work.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Party-vi 03/31/2014 at 13:01

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Damn, 6 u joints? And yeah I'm hashing it out with him right now, I want to take it somewhere to get inspected, and was planning on using the drive to the shop and back as my test drive. Appreciate the tips

Party-vi > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom 03/31/2014 at 13:05

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Yep. Two in the rear drive shaft (t-case, rear diff), two in front drive shaft (t-case, front diff), and one at each steering knuckle up front.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Party-vi 03/31/2014 at 13:06

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Ahh, alright. That's one thing I hate about searching for a car, have to learn a whole ton of crap about them, some of that information which you may never use again.

yamahog > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom 03/31/2014 at 13:08

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I picked mine up for $2300 with about 50k more miles, so $2700 sounds like a reasonable place to start, but $3000 is definitely a good price to agree upon if there aren't any issues.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > yamahog 03/31/2014 at 13:18

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Hmm, alright man, appreciate it.