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2007 Volvo S80

362 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2012 at 2:57 PM

You are in the Volvo S80 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volvo S80, Sedan

Messages Page 23 of 37

#215 of 362 Re: questions about the '07 S80 [johndjr] by teamsc10190

Dec 26, 2006 (10:34 pm)

Replying to: johndjr (Dec 26, 2006 2:28 pm)
I've owned nothing but Volvos for the past 35 years. The cost of ownership with my S80 however convinced me that it would be my last Volvo. Dismal reliability coupled with extraordinary repair costs, and poor resale value don't make for a winning combination. If you do some research to understand the service record of the 99-06 S80 models, you will understand in short order that the cars were fraught with design, parts, and build quality defects. Ford provided scant goodwill support, no service upgrades of known design defects, and inflated parts pricing. The dreadful service experience with the previous generation S80 also resulted in extraordinary depreciation. Take a look at retail prices of used S80's, and understand that the first owners bore the horrific depreciation costs that result in used S80's selling for less than an entry-level Korean car. The cost of service, parts, and depreciation make this a car to avoid.
Apologists will reluctantly acknowledge that Volvo had some problems with the previous car, but now they learned their lesson and the new 2007 car is completely redesigned to avoid such concerns. Are you willing to take that bet with YOUR $55-65,000 dollars? Do you think that the Ford Motor Company that lost 250 million dollars/day over the past year (per Automotive News) is going to offer generous support for the new S80 while they're hemorrhaging red ink? Ford has one mantra these days and that's cost containment, period.
Before you buy, ask your Volvo dealer what routine service costs will total for 75,000 miles. Ask him to quote you on the sorts of routine replacement parts and services that you'll likely encounter during your term of ownership. What's a major service cost? What does a set of windshield wipers cost, or a replacement alloy wheel, or a headlamp assembly, or a complete brake job. You'll discover just how proud Volvo is of it's parts. Cost of ownership issues. What is the retained value of the previous generation S80 after five years? Hugh cost of ownership issue. You had better like this car a whole lot because you'll be paying for it at least twice if you keep it for five years. I replaced my Volvo with a Toyota that has yet to be back to the dealer in 22,000 miles, and everything functions perfectly. Yes, I surely do miss the irreproachable comfort of the Volvo, but nothing of the reality of the ownership experience. Stick with the Avalon.

#216 of 362 Re: questions about the '07 S80 [johndjr] by qbrozen

Dec 27, 2006 (10:37 am)

Replying to: johndjr (Dec 26, 2006 6:09 pm)
what exactly did the book tell you to have done at 7500 miles that cost $150? I'm not intimately familiar with the S80 specifically, but my S70 called for an oil change only at that mileage. Granted, that was expensive at the dealer ($50), but still not $150.

#217 of 362 Re: questions about the '07 S80 [qbrozen] by johndjr

Dec 27, 2006 (10:56 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 27, 2006 10:37 am)
I can't remember specifically. I remember once it had to do with 're-programing an update to the computer". It was usually something like that added to the oil, filter change and rotating the tires. Seems that one time it was changing the air filter. Usually something extra like that. I think the lowest cost was in the 75-85 range, but that was just once or twice. One at the 30 or 45k one was right at 600.00.
As for the actual mechanical problems, there were very few that were not covered by the warranty.
One that hit me, not the cars fault, was when the rats got into the engine compartment and chewed many things up. All kinds of warning lites lit up. My insurance covered all of it after the deductible. I live in the country and field rats try to come in every fall/winter.
But all of this is off subject.
What has changed in the 07 S80 and are the services still as expensive?
As for as the reliability, I had no complaints.

#218 of 362 Volvomax...... by rockylee

Dec 30, 2006 (4:27 pm)

How many S80's do you have on the lot ?????
 
Rocky

#219 of 362 Drove the V8 by lansdownemike

Dec 31, 2006 (8:16 am)

The Volvo dealers in the Washington DC area seem to all have at least one each of the 3.2 and V8 S80. Drove a V8 with many of the gadgets, but no GPS.
 
The adjustable suspension is amazing. In Comfort mode my wife was very happy with the ride and I felt entirely comfortable with the degree of control. Sport mode tightened it up so that I was pleased with its ability to quickly set itself up in cloverleaf ramps and fast corners. I couldn't find a good place to test the Advanced suspension, so I can't say just how much of an improvement it would be. The ride was better to my taste than the M35x (I'm looking for AWD) and a lot better than the A6 with S-line enhancements.
 
The BLIS works just as advertised, right and left. The warning light is visible in the corner of your eye, and very noticeable when you look over a shoulder to switch lanes. It comes on just as the car is leaving the rear-view mirror and entering into the blind spot.
 
Radar cruise control is excellent. First time I've used that technology, and with my foot poised to hit the brake in case the system didn't work as expected, the car automatically slowed and then gently braked as the car in front slowed to a stop.
 
Sound of the engine was satisfactory; very quiet in 6th gear at 1500 rpm; good sound as it downshifts and revs up. Won't be confused with a Ferrari, but a good enough melody. 311 HP in a 3900 pound car is just fine for my needs.
 
The interface to the settings menus looks pretty straightforward, a lot more intuitive than iDrive and Audi's equivalents. (Not that they're difficult, but just less sensibly organized.) I didn't play very much with them.
 
The V8 with the Sports package doesn't have a spare tire; the tires don't seem to be run-flats, either. There's an engine-operated pump in the area where the spare would be, and a can of some kind of gook that seals leaks from the inside. Not so great.
 
A manual lumbar support wheel! Least adjustable seats I've seen in a car even close to this in price. I'm sure I'll find a perfectly good seating position, but I'll miss the little adjustments in my 5-year old BMW X5. OTOH, the perforated leather seats with heating and cooling are very comfortable and for my short legs, good around the thighs.
 
No reverse tilt-down mirrors--a minor failing, but I will notice it when backing into parking spaces, I'm sure.
 
I'll probably order one (10-12 week delivery on special orders to the Mid-Atlantic area) next week.

#220 of 362 Re: Drove the V8 [lansdownemike] by rockylee

Dec 31, 2006 (10:54 am)

Replying to: lansdownemike (Dec 31, 2006 8:16 am)
Thanx for the post.......
 
Rocky

#221 of 362 Re: Volvomax...... [rockylee] by volvomax

Jan 01, 2007 (11:30 am)

Replying to: rockylee (Dec 30, 2006 4:27 pm)
4

#222 of 362 Re: questions about the '07 S80 [teamsc10190] by shauns

Jan 02, 2007 (8:35 am)

Replying to: teamsc10190 (Dec 26, 2006 10:34 pm)
I strongly concur with johndjr.
 
I just got rid of my 1999 S80 at 94K - the shortest time I've ever kept a car. Here are the hard numbers:
  cost of repairs (not maintenance!):
                   11.2c/mile vs. 5.6c/mile large car avg.
  cost of tires: 0.12c/mile vs. 0.07c/mile large car avg.
  depreciation: $5500/yr vs. 4500/yr large car avg.
 
There were 20 similar vehicles for sale at the same time as mine, all asking $9K-$10K. And not moving. The realistic price for even a well-maintained and low-problem S80 like mine is more like $5K.
 
I bought a Camry Hybrid. The only thing I miss from the S80 is the more adjustable memory seats and more trunk space.
 
Undeniably, Volvos are comfortable, roomy cars for the most part. The cost of ownership has been an issue for Volvos for decades. Given that Volvos seem to be a generation behind the near-luxury class leaders in things like engine and suspension technology and sound isolation, particularly over textured or rough roads, purchasing a new Volvo isn't a wise decision in my estimation. Go Japanese.

#223 of 362 Re: questions about the '07 S80 [shauns] by rockylee

Jan 03, 2007 (10:23 pm)

Replying to: shauns (Jan 02, 2007 8:35 am)
I'm really am surprised that the 07' S80 doesn't have some of the features you mentioned.
 
Rocky

#224 of 362 Re: Drove the '07 S80 V8 AWD by rpgorman1

Jan 06, 2007 (5:57 pm)

Drove the 2007 S80 V8 today. Volvo did it right...I've owned the 2000 BMW 5 series a Toyota Avalon XLS. They don't come close. My wife's everyday driver is a 2002 Volvo C70 convertible another terrific auto. I'm starting to become a Volvo believer. The 2007 S80 V8 is a great car.

Messages Page 23 of 37

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