Wife wants an XC90

[Cyrus]

So my wife has been taking my XC70 a little more than often and now claims she wants the XC 90 to replace her minivan. I can't afford a new one and I dont want a 7000 dollar one so I'm thinkin a 2006-2009 model, any help on what to look out for I know how tempermental these Volvos can be, so any heads up on what to stay away from would be great.
Thanks in advance.
Cyrus[thumbup]

[ARCHITECT]

So my wife has been taking my XC70 a little more than often and now claims she wants the XC 90 to replace her minivan. I can't afford a new one and I dont want a 7000 dollar one so I'm thinkin a 2006-2009 model, any help on what to look out for I know how tempermental these Volvos can be, so any heads up on what to stay away from would be great.
Thanks in advance.
Cyrus[thumbup]

Hi Cyrus,
I think your wife made the right decision.
2006 XC90 2.5T or 2008 XC90 3.2 would be your best bet.
XC90 2.5T: 5 cylinder turbo engine, 208 hp. slightly underpowered, good gas mileage and good reliability rating. Model discontinued in 2006. Replaced with the 3.2 in 2007, 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine 238 hp. more powerful, higher fuel consumption, and better reliability ratings.
Model to avoid is the 2003-2004 XC90 T6, early GM transmission failure.
what is left is the XC90 V8 2005-2010, which has a superb V8 Yamaha engine, with an impressive performance but higher fuel consumption of course.
Good Luck, keep us posted.

[OldMBGuy]

Hi Cyrus,
I think your wife made the right decision.
2006 XC90 2.5T or 2008 XC90 3.2 would be your best bet.
XC90 2.5T: 5 cylinder turbo engine, 208 hp. slightly underpowered, good gas mileage and good reliability rating. Model discontinued in 2006. Replaced with the 3.2 in 2007, 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine 238 hp. more powerful, higher fuel consumption, and better reliability ratings.
Model to avoid is the 2003-2004 XC90 T6, early GM transmission failure.
what is left is the XC90 V8 2005-2010, which has a superb V8 Yamaha engine, with an impressive performance but higher fuel consumption of course.
Good Luck, keep us posted.

The 2007+ redesign also gets you Haldex Gen IV (as of 2008) and an AUX input for your iPod.

The early V8s should also be avoided as they have a drainage problem that can affect the counterbalance shaft bearings and ruin the engine. Folks on various forums suggest that this fault was repaired in late 2005 and have not seen the same failures in 2006+ V8's. There are, however, a few reports of transmission failures on the V8 as well, but NOTHING like as regular as the reported T6 transmission replacements.

That being said, be aware that real world gas mileage reports on the V8 aren't significantly worse than those of the 3.2. We have a 3.2 and it's just fine, but fine on the slightly underpowered side.

I've also been doing a lot of reading about the tire-eating issue lately and it seems as if the 2007+ models also may have had suspension/alignment changes that make them less prone to horrendous tire-wear. Not sure on this one, but the preponderance of tire complaints are definitely skewed towards the pre-facelift models.

Also, if you go with 2007+, you can still find CPO cars out there at the dealers, and the Volvo CPO program/warranty is pretty good.

Good luck, and enjoy your new ride when you get it!

[JRL]

If you're near the East Coast I will be happy to find you one.
My price should be significantly less than a Volvo dealer and if a car falls within CPO parameters I can sell and CPO any Volvo that does.

[OldMBGuy]

If you're near the East Coast I will be happy to find you one.
My price should be significantly less than a Volvo dealer and if a car falls within CPO parameters I can sell and CPO any Volvo that does.

How can you CPO it if you're not a Volvo dealer?
:confused:

[Cyrus]

Thanks for the info from all...a CPO Volvo sounds like a good idea..I will keep poking the wife on color combos and features and see what I come up with.[thumbup] I know AWD will be a must.

[SHINPA]

How can you CPO it if you're not a Volvo dealer?

I've purchased several CPO Volvos thru Jim. Great deals on great cars. As good as the dealer, probably better because they get his personal attention, and you get a better price.

[OldMBGuy]

I've purchased several CPO Volvos thru Jim. Great deals on great cars. As good as the dealer, probably better because they get his personal attention, and you get a better price.

That's great, but it still begs the question - How can he CPO cars if he's not a Volvo dealer?

[gshadow325]

here is a good link for some usefull info
http://xcforums.com/topic/25-so-you-want-to-buylookingthinking-a-xc90-read-this-guide/