Okay, so I need another set of eyes

"Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom" (jeremyhampson)
03/26/2014 at 16:02 • Filed to: None

So that I know that I am not going crazy, why in the world would a 2001 Volvo S80 T6 with only 89k miles, only be selling for 3900? I emailed them and they said nothing is wrong (including transmission I specifically asked about that) just, "minor things'. It apparently has a current VA inspection.

EDIT: Apparently those "minor things" was that the ball joints and side mirrors "need some attention"

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DISCUSSION (58)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:04

Flood damage?

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:04

Seems like a good deal. There are some pricey repair to do with the Throttle body control module, and the mass air sensor, according to Msn.

Might be running a bit rough?

Edit: Or a salvage title

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 16:07

Just got an email back, apparently those "minor things" is the ball joints are beginning to go, so either they got a fake inspection sticker or the joints aren't too bad.

You could be onto something with it running rough though, there is no engine bay picture

For Sweden > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:08

I have this car, although mine is the non-turbo model.

Be very careful with these cars; the transmissions are not reliable. I only bought mine because I knew the transmission had recently been rebuilt. You seem to already know about this problem, but it's worth repeating.

Also, the timing belt will need to be replaced at 105,000 miles, so plan accordingly.

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:10

Ouch, Sounds like he took it to a Sketchy inspection place, there might also be a little bit of frame damage that he is trying to hide also.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > For Sweden
03/26/2014 at 16:11

Yeah, I honestly don't feel too comfortable with this one, but the seller doesn't seem to be very good at selling it, if I can get it for under 3k I'll probably buy it, but it just, feels funny.

How exactly do the transmissions go on these? I can read about it all day from tech bulletins and stuff but hearing it from another car enthusiast can give me better info

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
03/26/2014 at 16:12

Hmm, maybe, but that would be really easy to find, just run a VIN check, and when in person pull up the carpeting to see whats underneath.

I think there is an issue going on that can't be seen with just a cursory glance, like a state inspection

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 16:13

Yeah, if I go check it out I'm definitely getting it checked by a mechanic that I trust.

But, on the other hand it really could be someone who just wants to get rid of the car, or who doesn't know what they have. This is the D.C. area, plenty of dumb people.

For Sweden > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:16

I've never actually had mine go, but forums are full of horror stories.

This is pure speculation, but the most believable explanation I've heard is that fluid from the cooling system gets into the transmission and causes problems.

jariten1781 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:16

VA inspection totally would not catch ball joints going out even at a anal inspection place.

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:17

Haha, Dc is full of Em.

Make sure you end up with an English speaking mechanic, Haha.

When I bought my first car a while back, I ended up with a Non-English speaker. I just hoped to god that there was nothing majorly wrong with my car.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 16:23

Haha damn that sucks, what did you get?

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jariten1781
03/26/2014 at 16:24

Some might, but that would most likely have to be an actual dealership tech that works on the cars a lot. I don't think I'm going to do it, found a 2004 S60R, I think I'm going to go after that

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:25

It was a 97 Jetta with assloads of miles. It turned out to be fine, I murdered it on my own. I drive a certified A4 now, Haha.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > For Sweden
03/26/2014 at 16:25

Hmm, interesting, from what I've read, granted it wasn't a lot but a bit, it seems that the transmissions go out more often on the AWD models, have you read about them going out on the FWD ones?

For Sweden > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:28

I haven't seen a distinction between the two.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > jariten1781
03/26/2014 at 16:31

You are actually wrong.... I had them catch them on my car, told me that they were getting a bit loose on the one side. I was surprised.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > For Sweden
03/26/2014 at 16:36

Hmm, alright, thanks man. I don't think I'm going to go with that one because the more I dig, the more I find, I mean I found an S60R, see if he can come within my price range

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 16:37

Haha nice. How do you like your A4? I actually have been seeing a lot of early 2000's A4 and 6's on CL

For Sweden > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:39

I would pass as well, especially because if you move to 2003* or newer, the transmission problems go away.

*I think this is the year

jariten1781 > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits
03/26/2014 at 16:42

Interesting, I always watch when they do inspections on my cars and in 20+ times I've never even seen them check the ball joints.

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:43

Thanks, It's a good car. It's an 08, a bit pricey to maintain. Correction: A lot pricey to maintain.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 16:49

Yeah I've read the A6 has a bunch of dumb shit just break. Like the dash LCD screen and all that and it's like 2000 bucks to replace

Frosted > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:49

That trans is about 10k miles from dying.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > For Sweden
03/26/2014 at 16:50

Yeah that's what I've read. I've been talking to a very nice and organized lady that has a 2004 S60, not necessarily the color or trim I want, but it has had all the work done, and she says she has all of the maintenance receipts, so may get lucky and get a well maintained car

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:52

Yeah, I've had loads of issues. Everything on the interior has broken. Except the steering wheel, that still works.

There were also some problem to do with excessive oil consumption, tire pressure sensors. Loads of other small things. I bought it with around 85,000 miles and luckily I got all of the problems that it should have had before I bought it, Haha.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Frosted
03/26/2014 at 16:55

Is that when they start having problems, 100k?

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 16:56

Damn, how much did all that bullshit cost you?

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 16:58

Luckily for me, the Oil issue was under warranty.

Various other shit including service, and parts has cost around $1,500 in the last year that I've owned the car.

Frosted > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 17:00

For the most part. Sometimes you get lucky and it lasts, but the rule of thumb with the S80 t6 is - near 100k, sell it.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 17:28

Damn, that is expensive. Was it stuff you had to replace?

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Frosted
03/26/2014 at 17:28

Hmm, alright, appreciate the info. I remember reading somewhere that a tranny transplant will run you a good 3k or so as well

Frosted > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 17:32

Quite a few people (enthusiasts) just end up doing a manual swap once the tranny dies. This part MAY save the tranny - http://www.ipdusa.com/products/5538/… but it's not a definite fix for all s80's.

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 17:33

Mainly, I still am yet to repair interior bits and pieces that have broken. Judging by how much the dealer wants, it's not worth fixing them.

Air conditioning, heating, Oil burning, were the most expensive things that I've had to sort out.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 17:35

Jeez. How much oil was it burning?

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > Frosted
03/26/2014 at 17:37

Hmm, not a bad idea. But I think I'll just avoid the early 2000's ones, buying one of these to use as a reliable daily so I can worry on just my current 944 project.

Frosted > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 17:38

Just saw your newest post. My advice - avoid any P2 chassis Volvo before 2003. Avoid any P80 chassis post 98.

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 17:39

At least a bottle every couple days. It took me a while to bring the car in, I ended up just driving around with a ton of bottles in the trunk at one point, Haha.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 17:46

Holy shit thats crazy. The craziest oil leak I've dealt with in a running car was like 1 bottle a week

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 17:48

Haha, it was mildly ridiculous. The previous owner didn't take great care of the car, and I think that he had been neglecting the problem for some time before.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 17:49

Sounds like it, shit like that doesnt get bad for a long time

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 17:53

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that it belonged to some spoiled High School kid before it was mine. That would definitely explain the condition I got it in.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 17:56

Yeah, or it could have been one of those people (like my wife) that just turns up the radio loud and pretends nothing at all is happening

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 18:00

Hahaha, my Gf is exactly the same way! If there is something wrong with her car, she will never know. She thinks it ads "Character" to it.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 18:09

Yeah, the only reason my wife becomes concerned now, is because I don't shut up about cars and what can go wrong with them. So it's slowly rubbed off on her

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 18:36

Yeah, Haha, same. My biggest lady friend trouble has been trying to teach her the art of manual transmission.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 18:51

Yeah, same here. My wife refuses to learn, she always gives me shit saying "oh you bought a car I can't drive!", so I just say, "Well, you could if you actually tried to learn"

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 19:04

Haha, If texting is a problem, manual is the answer.

I've only tried once, and I have to say. I'm not much of a teacher.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 19:07

Not much of a texter, she is just lazy and doesn't want to learn new things

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 19:08

That must be part of my Gf's issue. She's happy with her car, and doesn't feel that manual is necessary I'm guessing.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 19:10

That's what mine says as well. Honestly I don't care when it comes down to it, don't have to worry about her hooning my 944

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 19:13

Very nice, Love the 944.

That's the only good thing, Haha. If she can't "Borrow" my A4, then I'm fine.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 19:17

Yeah, it's my car god damnit! People actually ask me sometimes if they can drive it, and I look at them like they just took a dump on the floor.

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 19:20

Hahaha.

In the case that somebody borrows my car, One of my pastimes includes removing a shitload of fuses from my car before turning it over to them, Haha.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 19:21

Nice, I should try that. I don't even like people sitting in the drivers seat, it's like, you will dirty this holy shrine of hoonage

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 19:24

Haha, If anybody tries to get inside of my car with a drink, they won't be getting anywhere near my car anymore, Haha.

Just in case, if somebody manages to enter my Chariot with a drink, I put something like this where the cupholder is.

Kinja'd!!!

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > jkm7680
03/26/2014 at 19:28

See, Porsche already thought ahead. 944's dont have cup holders!

jkm7680 > Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom
03/26/2014 at 19:31

Now that's thinking of enthusiasts right there!

Instead of fueling Coffee and Soda.