Transmission failure based on dealer diagnosis & Volvo of North America input. Symptom was a 'Transmission Service - Urgent' in dash advisory panel coupled with an illuminated Engine Service Light.
Ball joints replaced under warranty at 30,500 miles.
Noticed a vent tube cut off below the engine to prevent snagging on curbs and trashing timing belt (a poor design on Volvo's part).
Rear visibility out of the rear window is unacceptable.
The car looks like a Honda Accord.
Inadequate thigh support on the front seats.
Buy an Audi or new VW V-8. Leave this one for the test pilots & repair crews in Sweden to sort out!
Are you sure you were in a Volvo S80? Like a Honda Accord? You have to be kidding. The items that were recalled were fixed and are expected with a new design. 99s with the recalls fixed are as good as 00, 01 and 02 which have few to none after early model changes. The S80 is wonderful. Go buy an Accord, it looks like a Honda Accord.
Actually I agree with the above survey about the look of the S80. The S80 highly resembles a 1994 Honda Accord, especially from the rear. Many reviewers (even in Car and Driver magazine) feel the same way. I remember when it first came out. That was my first impression: "it looks like a Honda on steroids." The mainstream design falls right in with everything else. Other than the alloy wheels, there is nothing particularly unique about the S80 as far as looks. Volvo's may have once been boxy, but doggonit they were unique and had character...prestige. Now they just look like everything else.
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