2002 Volvo S60 2.4T review from North America
"I can't believe I almost bought a new civic, whew!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Mysterious momentary radiator leak.
Blown two bulbs at 1 dollar for both.
Right passenger door speaker Vibrates at moderate stereo volume.
General comments?
I kept tabs on reviews for this car since inception, and considering the alternatives I thought it to be the best choice. The S80 bombed and the S40 was comparable to a corolla in stature which is what I wanted to get away from. I wanted a rock solid, heavy, smooth, quality build of a car and thought the S60 would be it. Well it was, and it has been surprisingly less problematic than I thought it would be.
The exterior of the car is pure engineering excellence. Feels like it has low fractional drag co's. All I do is highway driving and there is no wind noise, despite the old style side mirrors. Airbags galore, anti-whiplash headrests, and doors darn near a foot thick are sure to keep you safe.
The car feels planted and almost never feels like suspension damper is out of adjustment even on large bumps and rough roads. You can really feel the road and although many people make complaint of that it really is a benefit being a sport-sedan. The alignment is a bit too aggressive I think for daily driving, but has a relatively small coaxial full-crank turn radius which lessens the effect of this. If you are on a road with ruts however hold on tight to that wheel or you will find yourself in another lane.
The drive-train on this car is strong. The LP Turbo gets you lots of torque from the get-go, but is somewhat disappointing in the midrange. As with all volvos you can hear the motor hum along with a pleasantly soft whine from the Turbo.
I was surprised to find out my Dr Jekyll S60 had a Mr. Hyde in spirited driving, and the handling setup all made sense. Floor it through the twisties and you are in for more than you thought. Almost perfect cornering under full load and torque to keep you in your seat and terrify passengers.
If you are looking for a solid, reliable, torquey, efficient, darn good looking of a ride. Go for the S60 Turbo.
Recommended reviews
| 2002 - S60 2.4t 2.4 light-presssure turbo A powerful, sporty, yet supremely comfortable car with no hassles |
|
| Excellent value, reliability, and performance, but difficult to park with a horrible turning radius |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 2002 |
| Year of manufacture | 2002 |
| First year of ownership | 2006 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.4T 5 cylinder Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 39000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 54000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Focus |
| Date of Entry | 18th July, 2007 |