A Volvo S60 owner says his vehicle is “one of the best cars for teens” under $5,000. That’s TikToker @majkic06, who shows off a Volvo S60 from the 2000s.
A series of on-screen text overlays accompany several glamour shots of the shiny vehicle in Majkic’s viral post. The clip, which has accrued more than 84,000 views on the platform, highlights the car’s interior and exterior. Furthermore, the Volvo owner writes: “This is one of the best cars for teens under $5,000. Five-cylinder engine. Very safe as Volvos always are. Lots of tuning potential. Reliable. Looks great.”
As they rattle off these selling points of the vehicle, images of the car’s 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and tires are displayed. Moreover, the S60’s interior appears to be plush, with shiny, black leather seats. Majkic highlights this point in another TikTok post, giving props to the Swedish manufacturer. “Back when car interiors were simple, nice, and long-lasting.”
When it comes to used vehicle reliability, a few manufacturers’ names almost always come to mind. Toyota and its luxury counterpart, Lexus, consistently dominate used reliability lists. Even if Consumer Reports says fellow Japanese automaker Subaru now holds the top reliability crown, Toyotas are renowned road warriors. Honda and Mazda also receive high marks for great used car investments.
However, the Scandinavian brand isn’t often included on this list. But does Majkic have a point? Should a teenager looking for a used car, who doesn’t want to skimp on a sumptuous interior, consider purchasing a Volvo S60?
That answer seems contingent upon who you ask. Rerev, a car buying advice website, listed the 2001, 2004, and 2006 Volvo S60 model years as some of the worst examples to buy used. This was due to a number of potential issues they could run into.
First: The outlet said that these Volvos run into airbag problems—though the outlet did clarify that this is primarily an issue for second-generation S60s. Moreover, the outlet referenced steering issues that are sometimes associated with these vehicles. In addition to airbag concerns, Cars.com reports that early Volvo S60 cars had recalls for steering linkages.
Purportedly, control arms on these model cars needed to be fixed by the manufacturer for proper handling. If left unaddressed, some drivers reportedly lost complete control of their Volvo S60 while on the road. That doesn’t exactly bode well for any commuter, let alone a teen who is newly getting behind the wheel.
Consumer Reports also says the first-generation Volvo S60 was slapped with two other recalls. One for the car’s hydraulic brakes system, which can experience a loss of fluid. Obviously, that’s a safety concern.
Additionally, the Independent Auto Assessment Group (IADA), a network of vehicle appraiser specialists, wrote that equipment was mislabeled on the 2006 Volvo S60. It appears this pertains to the tire PSI numbers printed on the driver-side door jamb sticker. Inflating the wrong air values could ultimately “result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash,” according to the recall notice.
Carparts.com also writes that Volvo S60 vehicles from various model years experience “various transmission issues.” The outlet highlighted that 2001-2009 S60s, along with 2014 iterations, may be prone to shifting problems. Furthermore, these same cars will have rough shifts between first and second gear. Consequently, this makes driving in stop-and-go traffic “bothersome.”
RepairPal, a repair estimate site, recommends installing the latest Volvo software module when servicing transmissions on these model years. Strut mount failure, along with premature headlamp burnout are other common issues associated with these cars.
Many drivers have also decried Volvos at-large for having air conditioning issues. Additionally, engine overheating and infotainment glitches can make navigating apps a pain for some drivers.
Despite these criticisms, there are others who’ve applauded the Swedish car brand’s offerings. RepairPal, for instance, slapped the first-generation S60 with a 3.5 out of 5 repairability rating. According to the website, this is an above-average score when compared to other vehicles in the same class.
More recent offerings have also received favorable marks. MotorTrend tested a 2020 Volvo S60 for 20,000 miles and it ruled the car as a trustworthy ride, as Majkic lauded in the viral TikTok.
Before making any used car purchase, Volvo S60 or not, buyers should make several considerations. First: Ensuring a car hasn’t been in any major accidents is crucial. This helps to rule out any frame damage on the vehicle, which could affect performance and safety. This mitigates the possibility of other components prematurely wearing out, too.
Second, finding a vehicle that’s been promptly maintained is a good rule of thumb. Locating cars with service records can help with that. It helps to buy a car that hasn’t been bought and sold too many times. Ideally, finding one that belonged to its original owner would be best. If you can tick all of these aforementioned boxes, then a used car without an egregious mileage count can be a great buy.
However, like any used car, you should always set aside money for additional expenditures. Transmission flushes, oil changes, and part swaps will be necessary. Not to mention a set of tires, if the tread on the used car you’re buying is looking thin. So factor that cost when making a decision.
And it should be mentioned that Volvo parts come at a premium. Mechanic Base, a forum for car repairs, reminds drivers that Volvos are luxury vehicles that come outfitted with expensive parts. Since they’re manufactured in Sweden, importing these components can cost more than U.S.-made cars. Or commuter brands that typically retail for less than Volvo’s lineup.
One user who replied to Majkic’s video agreed that the Swedish brand is often overlooked. “Volvos are too slept on, it’s crazy,” they penned. And when it comes to the TikToker’s commentary about it being a great car for teens, they have a point.
Young drivers are more prone to speeding, which makes this car’s reputation for high safety ratings more appealing for folks buying a first car for their kids. And like Majkic says in another clip, while his Volvo won’t be winning street drag races against a BMW 330i, it could “ram” the car off the road and survive.
Someone else who responded to his video wrote that they, too, were fans of the Volvo S60’s cabin. “I like old interiors, none of the silly cameras and driver assist,” they commented.
Which was a sentiment echoed by another writer who said they preferred the old Volvo inside to newer models. “Love the old Volvo interiors, tried a new EX90 today, lovely seats, the rest was just a soulless interior with an iPad glued to the dashboard.”
One TikTok user wrote, “I had an S60 years ago, the most comfortable car I’ve ever owned.”
There were some folks, however, who said that the car could do better on gas mileage. But RepairPal projects that owners will spend around $750 per year in maintenance costs.
We’ve reached out to Volvo and @majkic06 for comment.
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