Volvo S80 (1998 - 2005) 2.4 D5 SE 4d Auto (2003/53) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I'm not one to run with the crowd, but I really don't care.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They adore the opulence and luxury.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Not this particular model as I am slightly put off by the somewhat imperfect reliability (which is surprising of Volvo; I owned 5 others before this and never had a problem with any of them!).

What are you likely to buy next?

I am undecided. If Volvo make a bullet proof car, I will likely buy it, but if reviews suggest that annoying problems, such as these are creeping in, I will look elsewhere. I won't be buying brand new again, however.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£26,000

When did you buy the car?

September 2003

Did you get a good deal and why?

Good deal all round; very satisfied.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Previously owned an S80, but I wanted a diesel, so bought this one.

What was the dealer like?

As always, my experience with Volvo was a delight. The sales team were very friendly, explaining everything to me clearly, and they didn't try to fob me off with "add-ons". I only got want I wanted and needed; not what they wanted me to have!

What's it like to drive?

Effortless when it doesn't go into Limp Home Mode; then it's just frustrating!

What's it like to park?

Reasonable. The parking sensors help enormously, and all round visibility is acceptable, but the steering is a touch too light, so it's often something of a guessing game.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Sadly, yes. The boot release malfunctioned when the car was still under warranty, yet unfortunately, Volvo refused to accept this, claiming that it was wear and tear and I had to pay £300 to have it sorted. When it was 3 years old, the car kept going into "Limp Home Mode" and after years of trying to rectify this problem, Volvo still cannot identify the cause, which is most annoying. And disappointing.

What's most practical about your car?

The gargantuan size of the boot and interior.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The silky smooth automatic gearbox when it doesn't play up! Reversing sensors, which help guide the enormous car into even the smallest of places.