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Volvo XC90. Yey or nay?
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Posted 1 year ago #
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You've got the same issue as me - most 5 seaters aren't actually any use for 2 adults plus 3 child seats. If you're an active family and want to take a bunch of bikes off camping but still need a pram or stroller you're seriously limited in what's available - you're down to XC90 / X5 / Disco or S-Max / Previa (?? if Toyota still make em). Any other ideas appreciated.
Obviously I want an XC90 (which seems the pick of the bunch to me) which does 50 mpg and squats automatically down to get the roof box on. Moon on a stick please. Think I'm going to have to suck up the cost at some point in the next year or so but it pains me to have to pay out so much on a car.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Test drove one yesterday, pretty much what I expected. The seating arrangement and interior design looks really good. Can't decide if I should to go for it or not, I might see how we go on when the baby arrives in our estate car. Interestingly enough, the back seats are not wider than on our Mondeo or a Golf.
I also looked at a CRV, which give it was similar price, looked like a plastic toy (although i'm sure they are cheap to run and totally reliable...)
Brassneck - you hit the nail on the head with those requirements!
Posted 1 year ago # -
most 5 seaters aren't actually any use for 2 adults plus 3 child seats
Exactly. We also had a V70 when the twins arrived which we thought would be wide enough, but we couldn't fit 3 child seats across the back. Luckily the XC90 had just come out (I didn't want a 'people carrier' in the old sense) and I managed to by-pass the 12 month waiting list and buy an ex-demo one - but it came at a big price tag as I had to pay over list for it! Luckily I had some money at the time, unlike now
But I've still got it and I'm happy. We do use the Golf for 90% of the running around now.Posted 1 year ago # -
I was shocked at how few did - Honda Accord was the closest to being a goer I found, though I didn't look very hard at Audi/BMW - no car allowance and wife not working = nothing to spare on frivolities like transport - but living out in the boonies means you have to have some way to get around as a family.
We have a Verso to trash at the moment which just about fits everyone in and can take a reasonable amount of luggage but it's a squeeze - it was also the cheapest option by a country mile, no one wants the manual petrol it seems. I'd like to get something a little more spacious and comfortable once I'm off my silly fixed rate mortgage.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Better off road than an X5 and far less offensive too.
really!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I would say yay, had a few 7 seaters, X5, Discovery and XC90, all have merits X5 great to drive and quick but rear boot with 7 seats up very poor, Disco has the same boot issue but obviously good off road, new one has improved engine and dash which is welcome, xc90 good boot space, drives surprisingly well, second only to bmw IMHO and I have extensively driven a Q 7 and it beats that, it would be nice if fuel economy was better but that's the only flaw, engine gets smoother with age
Posted 1 year ago # -
I bought a 2005 model XC90 in April ( D5 Auto with DVD, towbar and winter pack). Fab car for a family. REALLY looking forward to the snow and ice so I can get to use the 4x4!
I run a small economical car midweek and save the XC90 for times when I need to fit multiple bottoms in the car.Posted 1 year ago # -
I've had one from new. It coped with heavy snow in Wales with ease last year and got there when many conventional cars didn't. In fact, and it's no exagerration, there are a few people out there who owe their lives to the fact that my XC90 "got there" through the snow. That said, it's not as competent as a LR and the standard conti tyres aren't that good in snow (or mud). What IS good is the electronic "Winter" button wizardry on the auto gearbox that allows numpties like me to press on and keep up momentum to get up snowy, slippery inclines. Unless you're Ranulph Fiennes, you're unlikely to complain about it.
Ours was utterly reliable and I agree with using specialists to service it - cheaper and (in my region) do a better job. The seats are the comfiest ever. We travelled from Cardiff to Edinburgh on one occasion, 6 up, and I couldn't believe how good I felt at the other end - no aches or pains. In our geartronic we got high 20s mpg (never more) and it was driven very gently. Even with gentle driving, they get through the front contis at quite a rate - usually last around 8000 miles and £200 plus a tyre. The outside edge of the front nearside tyre know to wear excessively too. Nothing to do with tracking according to Volvo and other experts I've consulted and more to do with 2 tons scrubbing that side when going clockwise round roundabouts (XC90s on the continent scrub the outside edge of the other side I'm told, because they go around roundabouts the other way!)
I've carried 7 bikes on mine. The Volve removable towbar is great and highly recommended. You can get (light) bikes on the roof by standing on the rear tyre and rear door sill, but I used to carry a small step ladder from B&Q (made it much easier).
The premium sound system is outstanding.
Good points: Comfort, drives more like a car than many MPVs and 4x4s, superb detail in the design (v ergonomic - switches designed to be used wearing gloves), reliable, independant dealers, tough as old boots, outstanding xenon lights (turn with steering) - not sure why but much brighter than the xenons on other cars I've driven. Also astonishing brakes. I once had a dozy individual pull out of a side road right in front of me. You've never seen 2 tonnes come to a standstill in quite such an impressive manner. Ever. Seemed to just STOP.
Downsides: Very few. Expensive main dealer (but no more so than premium brands in fairness), MPG never in 30s (I didn't expect that anyway), front tyre wear, slight delay when putting foot down to pull out of junction. That's about it.
Sorry if this sounds overly positive. We absolutely loved ours. I've owned a number of £40k+ cars (only mention that for the purpose of comparison) and the XC90 is by a mile better than all of them for day to day family use. I only bought it because I need to carry 6 and there are occasions when I genuinely need 4x4 ability (and ground clearance). Wasn't expecting too much when we bought it, but it was fantastic. It's one of those cars that don't particularly shine in road reports but has a depth of talent to ownership and day to day ability that is often missed in the magazines. All of the people I know who have them (4) love them too and would buy another without hesitation. Ask any owner. You'll struggle to find criticism.
Only problem in Cardiff is that we no longer have a main dealer and that can make it a right PITA if any warranty work is required on a new car (which is why I've reluctantly looked at new Disco and Q7)
Oh, and if I was getting one, I'd definitely get an automatic.
Once saw a Scandia emblazoned one waiting to get on the ferry to IOW before Cowes week with 4 bikes on top, a massive inflatable dingy thing attached to the rear tailgate and towing a massive boat that looked about 3x the length of the XC90 towing it! Wish I'd taken a photo.
Brilliant cars.Posted 1 year ago # -
Tinners: the standard conti tyres are well known for having poor life expectancy. Nokian WR G2 or General Grabbers (Q7 owners fave) grip as well/better (in winter), are half the price and last 18-20k ....... Unless you live in Milton Keynes it seems!
Not had any abnormal tyre wear but I dont live on a roundabout
Whats the highest you've turned the sound system up? I got to nearly 3/4 once but my ears started bleeding!Posted 1 year ago # -
Swapped my Disco 3 for a new XC90 D5 auto in March & really pleased with it. Easy-ish to get bikes on the roof by standing on the back seat with the door open & easily fits 4 bikes up there.
Fundamentaly I don't think the XC90 is as well designed as the D3, but reliability really let the D3 down (not just my experience) and the new D4 is massively expensive.
Not sure how I'd feel about a manual box, I guess it's personnal preference but I really think these cars suit autos. Used manuals are like hens-teeth so I guess most people agree.
Only problem I've had...... my wife decided to modify the side or ours against a metal post in the school car park. She drives past it twice a day FFS, so how the hell she 'forgot' it was there I've no idea!!
Mine is still on the original Conti's and has just hit 12k miles.. maybe I drive like a girl!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Thanks Tinners, it's good to hear something positive about them. I still can't decide....aggghhhh!
Posted 1 year ago # -
We have an 07 D5 in 185 guise.
The SE we have is specced pretty well, but if you go for leather don't forget to spec heated seats or you'll hurt the residual. Same with manual gearbox really.
The auto box takes as age to pull away from stand-still, but you get used to it... Ours is at 38k miles now and we now need the rear discs doing. Otherwise, only the solanoid on the box has gone wrong.
Seats are very comfy, it's fine in the snow and it's plenty big enough inside.
As others have said, find a local servicing company to avoid regualar £500 services. We get about 26 mpg driven fairly conservatively. The £400 VED is a bit of a git, but you know what you're getting into when you buy it.
I'd consider a low mileage two year old car, as we did. A year on the warranty to cover niggles, and a big saving as the residuals crash in the first year. We paid about £21k for a 17k mile, one owner minter from a main dealer with everything we wanted apart from Bluetooth...
We really like ours.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Volvo used prices seem high at the mo, maybe the winter holds prices up?
I was offered one yesterday for £20K, 3 years old, 50k miles, Sport SE spec
Posted 1 year ago # -
If the OP knows someone who is a member of the caravan Club, they've reviewed the XC90 D5 SE Lux Premium geartronic (new) in their monthly magazine this month and it comes out pretty well.
Might be a useful read for him if he can see a copy.Posted 1 year ago # -
Buy a normal estate and fit or keep a spare set of snow tyres in the garage! Seems to me that a sh!t load of things go wrong with these cars and they cost a fortune to fix. With depreciation and running costs it would be cheaper to buy a second house and just use taxi's.
Posted 1 year ago # -
My mate bought an XC90 as he needs to fit in 3 baby seats. He loves it but regrets buying a petrol version, it has a shocking drink problem!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Very expensive car to run! Heavy on fuel and gets through pads and discs too quickly. Volvo dealerships can be very hit and miss as well.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Just back from a day driving in the snow in mine (kids and dog sledging to Roundhay). The way it handled the ice was amazing. Drove up the sheet ice outside Rothwell Park too. I only got mine in april, so this was my first chance to try its 4WD properly.
As a family car they are brilliant. MPG for the D5 auto is just over 30. It's a fantastic "place" to be in. Comfy heated leather seats, fab stereo and DVD's for the kids. Towbar for the bikes. The perfect active family car.
I do my own maintenance. A set of rear discs, pads and handbrake shoes was just over £150 from FRF Volvo delivered. Not cheap, but they are a casting work of art...vented disc , with housing for the shoes built in.Posted 1 year ago #
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