2003 VOLVO S60

Great Reliable car but transmission sucks

Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4 Safety Rating: 5 Technology Rating: 3 Value Rating: 3

I bought this car from a previous owner in 2008 (Volvo S60 2003 T5 FWD), I've had it since 2016 so far and now will be going into 2017. Transmission problems are several in this car sadly as I was hoping it would last until 300,000 miles (Only at 180000 miles) although maybe frequent transmission fluid changes may have allowed the car to last longer as my fluid is now black and burnt smelling(Volvo's "Life Time Fluid" don't believe it" ) I've wanted to change the fluid for the tranny a few years ago but my dad insisted not to because volvo said so as I wasn't very knowledgeable about cars at the time I was array of doing anything I've should have done it anyway. Will be driving it until the transmission goes out (maybe next year or 2 years from now but who knows, Park to Drive Delay, Slipping, Clunking, Hard Downshifts, sometimes bangs when turning etc... works fine when cold but problems occur when hot so tranny may just be overheating, cold works like when I first bought it) Now for the good about the car, the car is a-bit slow to accelerate from a stop but it does go fast about 0-100 within 6 seconds( Electronically controlled is to blame, mechanically controlled would have been better) but none the less it's a good car to drive. It's very comfortable inside but the rear seats passengers typically need the front seats to be pulled up a-bit to be a little more comfortable. My car had the premium package with leather seating, etc... but the premium stereo system is an amazing piece of work, the sound is truly lovely, although this car has a wonderful stereo system the only way to utilize it, with the CD Player, Got an aftermarket adapter for AUX etc.. then it broke so just spent about $900 dollers for a aftermarket stereo which was worth it. It came with all the nice features of a modern car of power locks, power windows, rear window defroster(no wiper which looks much nicer in my opinion), and a nice little garage opener button. The steering is a-little different, the turns are really wide then the other cars I've drove almost feels like a Pickup Truck when turning but it's still good. It has anti skid system which was pretty good when it was raining or snowing really helped when I was slipping. Had a problem with headlights blowing very 4-6 months, ended up just getting Aftermarket HID bulbs and they haven't blown for 2 years and they look really nice for $100 dollars well worth the money of spending around $15 CAD very few months on halogen bulbs; I've searched the internet and spoke to mechanic experts for electronics in cars and Volvo dealers they had no idea so the only solution was to get aftermarket bulbs. Overall the car is still an amazing piece of work, hopefully it'll last a few more years, this is my second car (I'm 19 haha) and it has treated me very well and I felt very safe and comfortable in this car and have rode it outside the country many times without any problems arising it was a very reliable car it will be missed when it goes. I'd buy other Volvo when I'm more financially stable but the Chinese have bought out the automotive department of Volvo and I've heard their are many problems with the transmissions on newer Volvo's so I'm gonna steer clear until they make a car as good as this one.