1998 Volvo S80 2.9 SE review from Australia and New Zealand

I bought the car second hand with 60,000kms on it. The only problem was a faulty wheel bearing which was fixed under warranty at time of purchase luckily as I was told it would cost around $800 to fix. I used to travel 1,000kms a week to get to work and back. At first the car ran smoothly and was fantastic cruising on the freeway, how-ever my dream run was about to end.

80,000kms: Radiator blew a hole causing transmission fluid to run into the cooling system. Luckily the computer detected a drop in the coolant level and advised me to stop the car immediately. If this had not happened, I would have run transmission fluid through the cooling system and probably blown a head gasket. Cost to repair $700.

90,000kms and onwards: Car would idle roughly when hot. Had this checked by three different shops and they all said nothing was wrong. Also the ash tray kept popping open all the time and had trouble closing. This is great when you use it to store loose change and then decides to pop open when you have left the car encouraging thieves to break in for some quick cash.

100,000kms and onwards: Emission system service light would illuminate and then go out after a week. This went on and on. Also 10 disc CD stacker acts like a roulette wheel. Most times it says CD error, but on the odd occasion it will play a CD even though 10 seconds earlier it said error.

110,000kms: Window regulator bolt on drivers electric window snapped in operation resulting in window being stuck. $1,000 to repair. The other passenger window is experiencing similar problems and bolt will no doubt snap soon. Better start saving another $1,000.

120,000kms: The emission system service light finally refused to go out. I was told to fix it required two oxygen sensors at a total cost of around $1,400 to repair. I was also informed that after doing this repair, the existing engine idle problem had worsened and that the throttle body cable needed replacing. This added another $1,000 and then throw in another $800 for a service, I walked away almost declaring bankruptcy.

130,000kms: One of the folding mirrors refuses to fold in. Why that will be another $650 thanks. I opted to leave it broken.

140,000kms: Surprise, surprise, the emission system service light is back on again and won't go away. Having read other peoples comments I am now wondering if the oxygen sensors ever needed replacing at all and perhaps the real fault was an error in the computer system!

145,000kms: Cooling system hoses burst. Again I was alerted to the loss of coolant and avoided major problems. However it cost $500 to have two hoses replaced.

This is the final straw. I have had the car for sale for 15 months and have had two calls. Nobody wants them so don't buy one!

This car new was close to $100,000 new and I was just offered $10,000 for a trade in and I still owe $30,000 on it.

I figure I'll cut my loses and get rid of it as I know of about $5,000 worth of repairs still to go to fix another wheel bearing, the broken folding mirror, new pads and rotors, emission system (again) and its 145,000km service.

Putting aside the expensive repairs and servicing, the car handled well and was great on the freeway. The stereo system sounds amazing and the integrated car phone solved all the problems not being able to talk on a mobile while driving.

I often had people come up to me to tell me what a great looking car it was.