XC 90 new of 2nd hand?
Discussion
New to volvos and with 3 young kids and a move to more rural locations, the inevitable 7 seaters come into view. Dilema is should I buy new and risk big depreciation with potential end of model line looming (seem to be 25% discounts out there) or is it more prudent to buy a 2 year old with some warranty and risk a lower dropping in value with new model (if it comes)?
Cheers
Cheers
Depends on how long you are going to keep it as depreciation levels out. We bought our Active new in 2010 for an amazing discount and I reckon it's worth an equal % of retained value over various Audi and Mercedes products we have owned. XC90 owners seem a very loyal bunch and if the pics of the new XC90 are anything to go by it will be an acquired taste! It's also worth noting that although at the end of its production run the XC90 is at the peak of its development and most of the early problems seem to be ironed out. We live in a very rural area and really like ours and it's great for a long run down to the South of France too returning a genuine 34 mpg fully laden but sympathetically driven.
Hi
Was in the same situation as your self but maybe with not quite the same funds availible to look at a two year old model. Never have been a Volvo fan even though driven a few but after browsing the net it looked like the best long term family car that wouldnt break the bank to own. After looking for a few weeks I found an 2006 SE d5 with the latest style interior/exterior it had 200k on the clock but at £7750 to good to resist and it was from a dealer not private. The car drives like new and I just replaced the cambelt/water pump and oil & filter from a local 4x4 specialist for £348!!!! bargain!!! and it realy does on a motorway give 35mpg at around 70-80 and about 20-25mpg around town. As its the sport model the suspension is quite hard over bumps but is well worth it and handles its weight as good as a mates old shape Cayenne. Dont believe the hype about gearbox lag issues from stand still as well, mine doesnt suffer this compared to other autos I have owned but you can feel the power is retarded in first. The only gripe I came across was Vovlo service charges which are not competitive at all.
Overall the car has gone beyond my expectations and is better value to buy and run than many other options in the 4X4 market, I wouldnt have thought I would have liked it but will be keeping this car until one of us falls apart first!
Was in the same situation as your self but maybe with not quite the same funds availible to look at a two year old model. Never have been a Volvo fan even though driven a few but after browsing the net it looked like the best long term family car that wouldnt break the bank to own. After looking for a few weeks I found an 2006 SE d5 with the latest style interior/exterior it had 200k on the clock but at £7750 to good to resist and it was from a dealer not private. The car drives like new and I just replaced the cambelt/water pump and oil & filter from a local 4x4 specialist for £348!!!! bargain!!! and it realy does on a motorway give 35mpg at around 70-80 and about 20-25mpg around town. As its the sport model the suspension is quite hard over bumps but is well worth it and handles its weight as good as a mates old shape Cayenne. Dont believe the hype about gearbox lag issues from stand still as well, mine doesnt suffer this compared to other autos I have owned but you can feel the power is retarded in first. The only gripe I came across was Vovlo service charges which are not competitive at all.
Overall the car has gone beyond my expectations and is better value to buy and run than many other options in the 4X4 market, I wouldnt have thought I would have liked it but will be keeping this car until one of us falls apart first!
Thanks for feedback.
Having driven the new R-Design it did feel like old technology for relatively big bucks, so can't bring myself to spend over £30K. So, I'm leaning towards a 2nd hand purchase, either in the well maintained but over 100,000 miles sector or under 50,000 miles. Likely to be an SE 185 engine.
Cheers
Ross
Having driven the new R-Design it did feel like old technology for relatively big bucks, so can't bring myself to spend over £30K. So, I'm leaning towards a 2nd hand purchase, either in the well maintained but over 100,000 miles sector or under 50,000 miles. Likely to be an SE 185 engine.
Cheers
Ross
Was in the same position last year. Ended up buying a one year old car (2010 R-Design). Would have bought a high miles post 2007 car myself, but the other half wasn't keen.
Bad points:
- I've not driven too many automatics, but *do* believe any comments about lag. It doesn't feel like a natural characteristic of the engine, more like the ecu is deliberately doing it to help the transmission etc. Regardless, there are circumstances where it can actually be dangerous if you don't allow for it (pulling onto roundabouts being a key one).
- the turning circle is a joke (literally in our household).
- fuel economy on country lanes is non-existant. Though this is more likely down to my lead foot.
- leg room In the back is a little compromised (nb I'm 6'4" so not massively fair to complain about that. And I rarely travel in the back).
That's it though. They're great cars and we easily understand why people are so loyal. They look good (IMO), are massively versatile (3rd row of seats very usable, and the load space is enormous with all seats down) and comfortable, it feels well built and feels extremely safe. We very much intend to keep ours until it's worn into the ground.
Bad points:
- I've not driven too many automatics, but *do* believe any comments about lag. It doesn't feel like a natural characteristic of the engine, more like the ecu is deliberately doing it to help the transmission etc. Regardless, there are circumstances where it can actually be dangerous if you don't allow for it (pulling onto roundabouts being a key one).
- the turning circle is a joke (literally in our household).
- fuel economy on country lanes is non-existant. Though this is more likely down to my lead foot.
- leg room In the back is a little compromised (nb I'm 6'4" so not massively fair to complain about that. And I rarely travel in the back).
That's it though. They're great cars and we easily understand why people are so loyal. They look good (IMO), are massively versatile (3rd row of seats very usable, and the load space is enormous with all seats down) and comfortable, it feels well built and feels extremely safe. We very much intend to keep ours until it's worn into the ground.
I've got an XC90 diesel which I have owned from new, and is now 7 years' old. With a large family, I think it is an extremely good car.
If I was buying second hand, I would get a petrol automatic because my mileage is pretty low. The petrol version is much cheaper than the diesel because buyers fear the higher fuel consumption, but if your mileage is fairly low, that doesn't matter too much. Also, I think that you would find the petrol models to be much less laggy.
The things I like about the care include:
- versatility of interior. We use the 3rd row most of the time, and access is very good, unlike the Discovery
- Feels like a car of quality, with good build quality
- looks chunky and off-roader-like without looking as aggressive and snobby as some of its competitors
- comfortable
For all of the great characteristics of the XC90, I have found the following wrinkles:
- major lag when pulling away from rest - you need to be sure that you can live with this before you buy one
- heavy tyre wear - I think that this would be less if it wasn't mainly used around town - I find that Continentals wear particularly quickly
- occasional electrical glitches, mainly the parking sensors
I hope that this helps.
If I was buying second hand, I would get a petrol automatic because my mileage is pretty low. The petrol version is much cheaper than the diesel because buyers fear the higher fuel consumption, but if your mileage is fairly low, that doesn't matter too much. Also, I think that you would find the petrol models to be much less laggy.
The things I like about the care include:
- versatility of interior. We use the 3rd row most of the time, and access is very good, unlike the Discovery
- Feels like a car of quality, with good build quality
- looks chunky and off-roader-like without looking as aggressive and snobby as some of its competitors
- comfortable
For all of the great characteristics of the XC90, I have found the following wrinkles:
- major lag when pulling away from rest - you need to be sure that you can live with this before you buy one
- heavy tyre wear - I think that this would be less if it wasn't mainly used around town - I find that Continentals wear particularly quickly
- occasional electrical glitches, mainly the parking sensors
I hope that this helps.
I bought a 2006 D5 in May this year.
Its done just over 90k miles with 1 owner and has a FDSH.
I paid approx. £10500 for it from a indie and its been a great family car.
It also tows our 1500kg with ease.
Returns 30mpg average (lots of town and shortish journeys) but will do 35+ on a longer journey and about 24 towing (with kayak on roof).
I have 3 kids also and its ideal as the main family transport.
I've had a few Volvos before (240 and V70) and getting an S40 DRIVe next weekend as my commuter.
You know what you are getting and all of mine have been very reliable with no major issues.
Its done just over 90k miles with 1 owner and has a FDSH.
I paid approx. £10500 for it from a indie and its been a great family car.
It also tows our 1500kg with ease.
Returns 30mpg average (lots of town and shortish journeys) but will do 35+ on a longer journey and about 24 towing (with kayak on roof).
I have 3 kids also and its ideal as the main family transport.
I've had a few Volvos before (240 and V70) and getting an S40 DRIVe next weekend as my commuter.
You know what you are getting and all of mine have been very reliable with no major issues.
So just to round things off. Bought a 2004 SE with 81000 miles well maintained etc and very happy. The only issue I have is that cd player won't accept CDs perhaps as I found pennies in there!
Time to sell the old 5 series family wagon as wifey has not stopped using it.
Thanks for all your views.
Ross
Time to sell the old 5 series family wagon as wifey has not stopped using it.
Thanks for all your views.
Ross
billywhizzzzzz said:
4wd has just failed on ours - apparently v common
On the early D5s yes...but not expensive to fix.£195 (labour, volvo specialist) + £90 for the splined sleeve from Volvo
And that should be you good to go with the uprated splined Sleeve fitted.
Edited by y2blade on Thursday 27th September 08:50
y2blade said:
billywhizzzzzz said:
4wd has just failed on ours - apparently v common
On the early D5s yes...but not expensive to fix.£195 (labour, volvo specialist) + £90 for the splined sleeve from Volvo
And that should be you good to go with the uprated splined Sleeve fitted.
Edited by y2blade on Thursday 27th September 08:50
Honestly, I like the principle of what the XC90 promises, but it's been a catalogue of expensive repairs (compared with 25 years of BMWs)
just found my old post (1 year later) and have been very happy with her in the 15,000 miles covered in that time. 1 service (cam belt), tinted rear windows an ipod plug in system and a set of winter tyres.
We have a number of issues coming up, but planning to keep going until the new one comes out. Hearing about a petrol hybrid of 400bhp which might be affordable as a company car a year and a half down the line.
We have a number of issues coming up, but planning to keep going until the new one comes out. Hearing about a petrol hybrid of 400bhp which might be affordable as a company car a year and a half down the line.
rossfitz said:
just found my old post (1 year later) and have been very happy with her in the 15,000 miles covered in that time. 1 service (cam belt), tinted rear windows an ipod plug in system and a set of winter tyres.
We have a number of issues coming up, but planning to keep going until the new one comes out. Hearing about a petrol hybrid of 400bhp which might be affordable as a company car a year and a half down the line.
Sounds like it went well, what engine does yours have? Just browsing these too - where I am I've got the choice of 2.5T or 2.9 T6.We have a number of issues coming up, but planning to keep going until the new one comes out. Hearing about a petrol hybrid of 400bhp which might be affordable as a company car a year and a half down the line.
I have recently bought an 08 plate V8, I don't do a lot of miles so the fuel economy (22mpg average) is not too much of a concern. It does not suffer from the hesitation, is smooth, refined, comfortable well equipped and deceptively quick :-) .I like it a lot but the interior build quality is a bit iffy and the reliability has been patchy so far.
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