1999 Volvo S80 review from North America

My throttle body went out at 60,000 miles.

The check engine light started appearing at 6,000 miles and still makes periodic appearances.

The ABS system is gone. It conked out at about 100 thousand miles. It is joined by the STC system. This leads to loud screeching sounds that leave the car shaking as if it's having some sort of automotive seizuer.

My transmission went out at 85 thousand miles.

The electrical door locks and automatic windows fail occasionally without warning.

The air conditioning system has an annual freon letting. I just have it recharged rather than get the expensive leak fixed.

I committed the car buyers cardinal sin... I feel in love with the model before I ever made it to the car lot. When I finally got there, it was like Volvo heaven, a paradise of Swedish wonders for the taking.

But that honeymoon quickly ended, as the list of service nightmares grew longer and longer.

I had always said I would never buy anything but a Volvo. Now I can honestly say I will never, ever, ever buy another Volvo. Like most folks, I can't afford a monthly car service bill that is larger than the car payment!

I'm now in a race against time to find a Toyota or Lexus before I suffer another major S-80 malfunction. At this point, I think a Saturn might be a great alternative!