Oppo educate me on the 1st gen Volvo S80

"CKeffer" (KefferCameron) 01/21/2018 at 13:28 • Filed to: Volvo, Cheap car, Used Cars, Help

0

26

I’ve got a friend with limited funds moving here at the end of the month, and since being carless in Houston severely limits employment opportunities, I’ve been helping her look for a cheap car so that she can get around. She has found a listing for a 2002 Volvo S80 with the N/A 2.9L for ~$2k with just under 140k on the clock. Unfortunately, I know nothing about these cars so oppo, I’m asking for your help. What are common issues with these cars, what are things we need to watch out for, and is this car a good option for someone with limited wrenching abilities & budget, or is it like a BMW/Merc/Audi and it’s basically a ticking time bomb that is just waiting to drain her wallet?

Also, if anyone has carfax, the vin is YV1TS92D021269778 I’d appreciate any info you can give me, if not, then I’ll ask the dealership for the report. Thanks in advance for any help y’all can give me! 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 13:55

1

I don’t know anything about those in specific, but it is important to note with old, interesting cars your first repair bill will often exceed what you paid for the car, especially if you’re not doing the work yourself. If she is OK with that, then a Volvo could be a good choice.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 13:56

1

My boss had one, the non-turbo is pretty reliable. Normal interior wear and new batteries and that kind of thing, but it lasted to 140k when she traded it and was still going strong.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/21/2018 at 13:56

2

Oh and with 140k on the clock I’d check to make sure the 100 - 120k work was done. A lot of stuff needs doing in the low 100s like the timing belt and water pump.

CKeffer > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 01/21/2018 at 14:00

1

Yup, I’ll definitely be doing that, and getting a PPI from a 3rd party source. I can help her with some basic repair stuff thankfully, but yeah, I’ll definitely make sure she understands about the cost of maintaining an older vehicle. I’m mostly just trying to make sure she’s not looking at a potential basket case, where those expensive repairs are a regular and frequent occurrence.

CKeffer > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 01/21/2018 at 14:01

0

That’s good to hear!

Ash78, voting early and often > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 14:12

1

I found these to be supremely meh — didn’t they share a platform with the Ford Five Hundred and Volvo XC90?

I just remember recoiling at how pedestrian everything about it was. But that was looking at it through the lens of the owner who had just paid $45k for a car that just didn’t seem worth it. A far cry from the Volvos of today which are still too pretentious for their own good, but at least deliver in most areas.

Parts and DIY knowledge should be plentiful though.

gmctavish needs more space > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 14:14

0

I’ve heard things about first generation S80s liking to lunch their transmissions, but I can’t remember any specifics, just something about it being earlier ones

Mechanically > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 14:20

3

I love that generation.

But... If overall cost and operating expenses are the concern, I think I’d be inclined to explore something that was going more commonplace from a maintenance standpoint?

Things like tires, brakes, switchgear, and even oil is likely on the higher end of the cost spectrum on that Volvo...

As compared to a Focus, Corolla, Civic, etc. I know they’re not exciting, and I always love how much of a deal you get on depreciation with big luxobarges. That’s why I’m perpetually tempted to buy a clean one-owner LS430...

My wife had a (ironically) 2002 Corolla when we first got married. It was my recommendation when we were dating, and she took my advise over her father’s insistence she buy a big Buick with 3800.

The Corolla had 90k when she bought it, and she put another 85k on it with little trouble. A set of good tires was $380. A broken interior door handle was $9 on Amazon. Etc. It wasn’t a magic car. It still cost us money to keep on the road. But I was happy for years that we were able to sink income into other expenses.

Something like that Corolla makes it much easier to decide what to repair and what not to. An S80 requiring some major exhaust work might run you $1800 for the repair. Regardless of how much the rest of the car is in good shape, you’ll be faced with the mental hurdle of spending SO MUCH of the original value of the car on a single repair.

Skip the mental anguish. Buy cheap and cheerful, and save money for more important things.

CKeffer > Ash78, voting early and often 01/21/2018 at 14:24

0

Yeah, they never really did a lot for me either, but at $2k, pedestrian is fine so long as it gets her reliably to and from interviews, and isn’t a maintenance nightmare. Boring is completely fine in her current situation, so long as it’s boring and reliable. We can get her into something fun later, if she wants, but for now cheap, reliable, and easy to maintain are our goals. I think you’re right on the shared platform bit, I seem to remember something about that as well.

CKeffer > gmctavish needs more space 01/21/2018 at 14:27

0

Yuck, I’m ok with a wrench, but fixing/replacing a transmission is outside my current abilities. I’ll definitely have them look at the trans during the PPI.

CKeffer > Mechanically 01/21/2018 at 14:43

0

Yeah, I had been suggesting Civics, Fits, and the like. This is something she had found, and I know little about them. Honestly I’m only even considering this one since it’s an N/A model. If it had been a turbo, I’d have told her right off it’s a bad idea for now due to requiring premium, and likely needing a new turbo soon. This one looks to have the 16" wheels, and there look to be several options for inexpensive tires, brakes don’t look too bad either. All that said, the cost of parts is definitely a concern I had, but knowing nothing about this specific car, I really didn’t know how bad this car is.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 14:53

1

I think that is a P1 for the S80, gen two wasn’t until 2006. That being said I’m not sure if this one has the troublesome transmission that likes to lunch itself or not.

It is a parts bin special from Fords stake in Volvo so some parts are super common and cheap and other things not so much.

CKeffer > Phyrxes once again has a wagon! 01/21/2018 at 15:18

0

You’re the 2nd person to mention the trans issues, which definitely gives me pause. Good to know about the parts though, cause that was my biggest concern going in outside of potential maintenance nightmares.

Phyrxes once again has a wagon! > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 15:33

1

No problem, this is all things shared with me when I bought my V70 in august. I also learned that if you grab the vin and post an ebay auction as a “seller” it will give you a check (not carfax but similar) but then of course take the auction down.

brianbrannon > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 16:00

0

Dont waste the money on an inspection. Buy a car suitable for limited funds 

EL_ULY > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 16:18

1

Professional Volvo expert in Houston here. I can go look at the car if ya like :]

CKeffer > EL_ULY 01/21/2018 at 16:32

0

That would be awesome! http://www.hondaofspring.com/detail-2002-volvo-s80-2_9_a_sr_4dr_sedan_w_sunroof-used-17250996.html This is the car, let me know what day works for you, and I’d be happy to meet you there. I’ll owe you a beer, or other beverage of your choice for this, thanks so much!

CKeffer > brianbrannon 01/21/2018 at 16:41

0

Unless you know the complete history of a car, how would an inspection be a waste of money at any price point? A Versa that has been neglected, but cleaned up for sales purposes could wind up being way more expensive than something slightly higher end, but well maintained.

brianbrannon > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 18:38

0

The waste of money is using it on inspecting a Volvo for a poor person. Use it on a car with the potential to get good gas mileage and not cost a ton in maintenance  

Dogsatemypants > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 19:21

1

Go for something else. There are some issues with that generation of transmission, and parts are not cheap. For low budget go late 90s early 00s honda or toyota, they can absorb neglect far better than a p2 volvo

EL_ULY > CKeffer 01/21/2018 at 22:25

1

Oh rad, it’s on my side of town-ish. I’m in Humble but pass by here on the way home. I’ll check it out and report back to ya here

CKeffer > EL_ULY 01/22/2018 at 09:55

0

Dude, you are awesome! I can’t thank you enough.

EL_ULY > CKeffer 01/23/2018 at 14:30

0

Im checkin it out now :] Couldn’t swing by yesterday

EL_ULY > CKeffer 01/23/2018 at 14:57

1

Whenever ya get a chance, give a call at ocho 32, 7 cinco too nein Juan nein nein

CKeffer > EL_ULY 01/23/2018 at 15:44

0

I’ll give you a ring when I head home, probably around 5-5:30, if that’s cool with you.

EL_ULY > CKeffer 01/23/2018 at 15:53

0

No problemo