Help buying a used XC90
Discussion
Hi 
My family is expanding so we have to move from our (great) C320 diesel estate to something bigger, and the XC90 seems to be the best fit for us. Very open to spec and colours, only necessity is leather but heated memory seats would be nice.
The cheaper the better obviously, but I would spend up to 10k on the right car.
My current thinking after a little research would be to get a -06 model as I understand there is a useful facelift? And registered before march to get the low taxband. Am I being stupid and restricting myself too much?
Are there any trusted specialist dealers that you can rely upon to sell you a good car?
If I go the buying private route, who can I use to carry out an inspection, or is a specialist inspection not needed?
Any pointers appreciated
Thanks,
Fred
My family is expanding so we have to move from our (great) C320 diesel estate to something bigger, and the XC90 seems to be the best fit for us. Very open to spec and colours, only necessity is leather but heated memory seats would be nice.
The cheaper the better obviously, but I would spend up to 10k on the right car.
My current thinking after a little research would be to get a -06 model as I understand there is a useful facelift? And registered before march to get the low taxband. Am I being stupid and restricting myself too much?
Are there any trusted specialist dealers that you can rely upon to sell you a good car?
If I go the buying private route, who can I use to carry out an inspection, or is a specialist inspection not needed?
Any pointers appreciated
Thanks,
Fred
The facelift happened in early 2006 IIRC so I think you will be hard pushed to find a facelift with the lower VED rates. Easiest way to spot the facelift is the indicators in the back of the mirrors and the revised rear lights.
That's not to be confused with the upgrade from the 163HP 5-speed D5 to the 185HP 6-speed D5 which happened late 2005 I think so you might find a couple of pre 23/03/06 ones of those.
The VED rate drops again in late 2008 I think when the D5 was reclassified at 225g/km.
That's not to be confused with the upgrade from the 163HP 5-speed D5 to the 185HP 6-speed D5 which happened late 2005 I think so you might find a couple of pre 23/03/06 ones of those.
The VED rate drops again in late 2008 I think when the D5 was reclassified at 225g/km.
Thanks, I might have gotten it confused then as I am not (much) bothered about cosmetic facelifts, they are all old cars in the end of the day.
Was the drive shaft thingy connecting up the rear transfer box also updated when the engine was uprated from 163 to 185? There was some issues here early on wasn't there, or this is internet hearsay?
Other then this it is pretty much the same car through all years, or did the car get markedly better over the years?
Was the drive shaft thingy connecting up the rear transfer box also updated when the engine was uprated from 163 to 185? There was some issues here early on wasn't there, or this is internet hearsay?
Other then this it is pretty much the same car through all years, or did the car get markedly better over the years?
fredt said:
Thanks, I might have gotten it confused then as I am not (much) bothered about cosmetic facelifts, they are all old cars in the end of the day.
Was the drive shaft thingy connecting up the rear transfer box also updated when the engine was uprated from 163 to 185? There was some issues here early on wasn't there, or this is internet hearsay?
Other then this it is pretty much the same car through all years, or did the car get markedly better over the years?
It is certainly an issue and many XC90's will be 2WD only though their owners will have no idea! I think it was finally sorted with the 2006 facelift rather than the 185hp engine.......Was the drive shaft thingy connecting up the rear transfer box also updated when the engine was uprated from 163 to 185? There was some issues here early on wasn't there, or this is internet hearsay?
Other then this it is pretty much the same car through all years, or did the car get markedly better over the years?
Aha, so I was on to something on the 2006 facelift.
I realize the XC90 buying guide threads have been done to death, but that also means hours of trawling to figure out whats what..
To keep it short, is there any sort of consensus on which model(s) would be the best bet, and make best sense in terms of outlay vs what you get?
And also, any dealers out there with a good reputation to sell good cars?
I realize the XC90 buying guide threads have been done to death, but that also means hours of trawling to figure out whats what..
To keep it short, is there any sort of consensus on which model(s) would be the best bet, and make best sense in terms of outlay vs what you get?
And also, any dealers out there with a good reputation to sell good cars?
Have just gone through this very exercise, looking at 3.2s and V8s, rather than diesels, of 2008-2010 vintage. The ref to Volvo Forums is a good one.
All I can offer is to do as others have already recommended and buy the best one that presents itself for your budget - sounds bleedin' obvious. Because the versions we get over here are all of the auto-only, fully-loaded variety, there was minimal difference in spec, so I concentrated on the best combination of condition/age/kms/service history. The 3.2 seemed a bit sluggish, the V8 made a difference (and lovely subtle noise), not tried the D5.
The interiors seems to stand up well to use and age, and generally all the kit worked on the ones I saw. Just get it checked by a specialist. By all the accounts I read, post-2006/7 is better than pre.
A friend has the 3.2 and reckons on averaging around 15l/100km (18mpg) day-to-day, rising to 18 (15mpg) around town and dropping to 10-12 (28'ish mpg) on a run. From what I hear, the V8 is about the same.
But, I didn't buy one in the end as I couldn't get my head around needing a 7-seater for three small kids (aged 1-8). Perhaps in a few years when they're bigger, but no need for the bus yet. Bought a V70 T6 instead - just better value for what I needed. I suspect an XC90 will be the next car...
All I can offer is to do as others have already recommended and buy the best one that presents itself for your budget - sounds bleedin' obvious. Because the versions we get over here are all of the auto-only, fully-loaded variety, there was minimal difference in spec, so I concentrated on the best combination of condition/age/kms/service history. The 3.2 seemed a bit sluggish, the V8 made a difference (and lovely subtle noise), not tried the D5.
The interiors seems to stand up well to use and age, and generally all the kit worked on the ones I saw. Just get it checked by a specialist. By all the accounts I read, post-2006/7 is better than pre.
A friend has the 3.2 and reckons on averaging around 15l/100km (18mpg) day-to-day, rising to 18 (15mpg) around town and dropping to 10-12 (28'ish mpg) on a run. From what I hear, the V8 is about the same.
But, I didn't buy one in the end as I couldn't get my head around needing a 7-seater for three small kids (aged 1-8). Perhaps in a few years when they're bigger, but no need for the bus yet. Bought a V70 T6 instead - just better value for what I needed. I suspect an XC90 will be the next car...
Yeah I think I want a diesel, I know it's a truly dreadful engine, possibly made worse by that gearbox, but in the end of the day it's just a ferry so running a gas guzzling v8 in it is really just wasted. Imho.
Good point on satnav, we use it a fair bit so it would be annoying with a tomtom and cables.
Thanks again, will go do some more research.
Good point on satnav, we use it a fair bit so it would be annoying with a tomtom and cables.
Thanks again, will go do some more research.
fredt said:
Yeah I think I want a diesel, I know it's a truly dreadful engine, possibly made worse by that gearbox, but in the end of the day it's just a ferry so running a gas guzzling v8 in it is really just wasted. Imho.
Good point on satnav, we use it a fair bit so it would be annoying with a tomtom and cables.
Thanks again, will go do some more research.
Don't go into it expecting a fun drive. Accept it as a massively versatile and comfortable load/people carrier that's capable all weathers and nice and safe. They also look pretty good (we have an RDesign). Good point on satnav, we use it a fair bit so it would be annoying with a tomtom and cables.
Thanks again, will go do some more research.
We love ours, the other half especially so.
We only have two kids but the extra space is useful for long trips, not having to think about what you pack and also for using just one car when grandparents are with us, the kids have friends to transport etc etc etc.
Gassing Station | Volvo & Polestar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff