1998 Volvo S90 - good car ?
 

Hey guys would like some opinions . My wife and I currently own four vehicles . A Boxster and 996 , a Volvo XC90 and my old GMC dually pickup . I am 65 years old and looking to add a comfortable driver for myself . The XC90 is primarily my wife's.

I have looked at Cayennes and other SUV's . I have looked at sedans from Mercedes/BMW/Audi/Lexus etc . Being retired I don't plan on driving a lot of miles per year . So every day off and on for the last 6 months or so I peruse CL and Cargurus looking at various models .

Yesterday I came across a 1998 Volvo S90 with 88k miles . Four door sedan with 2.9 inline six and Aisin 4 speed automatic . One owner with records since purchased new . All pics look good . Started a conversation via email with the seller and will call him soon . Holiday makes it a little difficult to meet .

Reading reviews online the 1998 was the last year for RWD and the last year of Volvo build vs Ford takeover . Reviews seem rock solid for build quality , safety , performance and ride comfort . This one has clean title history . Guy is asking 5k . What do you guys know about this last model year car ? I think for the price it's a no brainer . Thoughts ?

Define good. Comfortable, very reliable, cheap to maintain and repair? I think you will get the first two.

I have always owned at least one Volvo, the S90 is not something I would look at, but for $5k it's not a terrible idea.

I texted a friend/former co-worker who’s been a Volvo service manager for many years. He said “Six cylinders are more problematic than the four, but it’ll be OK. It’s a quality car seriously.”

My main concern would be the transmission. I’d recommend a good PPI.

My parents had one in the 2000s. If you are thinking it is a cockroach like a 240 or 740 with very understressed engines and solid rear axles…a 960/S90 is not really that. Still probably better than anything they have made since.

The earlier inline-sixes had porous casting and block cracking issues. Opinions vary on if the newer engines had similar problems, it’s like discussing Porsche bore scoring or IMS. My parents dumped their 960 when this happened, at something like 170k miles.
The rear suspension is self-leveling and shocks could be more expensive than expected, though not as bad as VW/Porsche air suspension costs.

Not sure I would avoid, but would probably gravitate toward an equivalent BMW 3 or 5 if given a choice.

I see used transmissions for under $500 on Car-part.com. You would probably have to have it shipped to you.

Interesting feedback from the service manager . I would have thought the six would have been better than the four . The 3.2 in our XC90 has been solid through 92k miles .

I know the Aisin auto was used in Toyota and Lexus models along with others . I haven't really found any negative comments . But good to know .

Did not know about porous blocks . What is considered the year that was supposedly fixed ?

Personally, I'd prefer the normally aspirated straight six. I don't know where the S90 engine came from, but Volvo had troubles with their 3.0 straight six that was made in Wales. The transmission would be my concern- the service guy didn't echo it. I've see a ton of transmission failures, even at lot miles on Volvos, usually from being driven around town mostly. I don't know if they were Aisins or Aisin AWs (formerly Aisin Warner). I think the Aisin Warner was the name I heard when failures were mentioned. I don't know what you can do to check the health of the transmission, but if it clunks going from D to R and back or delays getting in gear, that's a red flag.

I'd be a bit concerned about any 25 yo car (in general) being a long slow burn of maintenance.
Things like seals, steering racks, radiators, hoses, water pumps, belts, etc. all starting to show age (if not already replaced). Same for interior knobs and switches and stuff. My car 2005 xc70 (different beast) is already has several "need to do" projects I never seem to get around to. Leaking AC, some oil leaks, dying interior fan motor, etc.

Good luck, whatever you do.
R

Seems like Leakyseals knows of what he speaks.

Doing more net research I am finding quite a few comments regarding poor 4 speed auto reliability . Sad to read that . Also found some forums stating porous blocks supposedly fixed around 1995 - 1996 .

The comment above about a 25 year old car are valid . That's why I post here , you guys always provide good advice . 👍

Land yacht 😁 . I will pass on that .

Girlfriend has a 14 S60 ( which I think you can buy for a bit more) It's been a great car with zero issues. Really solid, no drama

It’s 25 years old… so there’s that.

It’s an antique.

I am 65 years old so an antique 😋 .

Yeah not ruling out a FWD version but the old school RWD is attractive to me .

First modern Volvo engine. Quite good actually. I believe Porsche helped them design it. Rest of the car is basically 740 with IRS and nicer interior. It is a reliable car.

I see you are in Sweden so I assume you know Volvos . What are your thoughts on the Aisin 4 speed auto transmission ?

25 year old car has 25 year old rubber parts