Newbie needs advice !

newbie666

Hey Volvo lovers !! I need some advice re buying a second hand volvo

I have always loved Volvos but have never had the opportunity to buy one

I am in the market for an upgrade from my shitty 2008 x-trail--- not being the slightest bit mechanical with cars, I am worried that buying a car with higher KM's was possibly buying trouble, and even more of a concern was buying a european car was also buying high priced parts and servicing.....

I had been looking at 2nd hand Outbacks up to 3 years old with about 30000km's--- but then I came across a 2013 XC90 with 69000km and an XC70 with 60000km, both fabulous looking cars, exactly what I am looking for and within my budget.... I had read that volvos with this sort of mileage should not be a concern-- what do you all think. We are a middle aged couple, no kids but a couple of big dogs, live in regional NSW and we average about 7000km's a year with about 3 longish trips.

Should I hang my sensibilities about 2nd hand cars and just get the volvo dream car ?

I would value any advice..... Thanks

Ex850R

Welcome!

First of all, what engines are in the two?

Parts wise we all buy from USA or European specialist places, much cheaper. Then have your favourite mechanic fit them.

Advice on here for any issues is handled by experienced Volvo tech people who work on them in independent workshops.

Where are these vehicles?

Links?

newbie666

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2014-volvo-xc70-d5-luxury-auto-awd-my14/SSE-AD-6552273/

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2013-volvo-xc90-r-design-auto-4x4-my13/SSE-AD-6491598/

Both through Carsales.com

Thanks for the advice

Ex850R

For the long trips most will say the D5 , we have D5 S80 (And a V60T6 3.0lt turbo version of the 3.2 In that xc90) and sure it's good on the long trips but much more maintenance than the six petrol motor with potentially expensive swirl flap failure and semi regular EGR de-sooting it needs to be driven HARD around town to keep it from clogging up (which my missus does admirably!)

My T6 Is a dream to drive with none of the turbo lad the D5 exhibits .

My mate has an ex Independent Volvo shop xc70 3.2 with over 300K km on it,drives it long trips everyday and some city driving when jobs are close to home,he gets better economy than me and better than the D5 does around town. He loves it , you will hear and read people disparaging the 3.2.....I can put money on the fact they are regurgitating internet "wisdom" and wouldn't have even seen one never mind driven one.....

It ain't a rocket like my T6 , but a cruiser it is.

We can talk about gearboxes,they must be serviced,fluid flushed. Check the owners records. If dealer, get a warranty.

Slowbrick

I dont want to come across as patronizing but if you have little to no knowledge of things mechanical and dont think you can devote time to learning because of other things such as life then buy something that can be serviced locally.

If there is a Toyota dealership in your community but no Volvo dealership then buy a Toyota. If you have little to no mechanical knowledge then you will find no savings ordering parts online as you wont have a clue what you are even looking at let alone how to fit it. Also most mechanics dont like customers bringing in parts as if it doesnt fit then its a waste of time and the customer can dispute the labour time spent and it becomes a whole thing. Its no fun buying a car and then relying on searching Google for hours on end to solve a problem that could be resolved quickly at a dealer. I am not a fan of dealers which is why I work on my own cars but that being said I spend hours researching solutions to my problems, hours finding parts and then hours actually doing the work. I do it for the satisfaction and realise the money saved vs the time spent doesnt always come out on top.

If you have no ability to do this then take a day walking around the dealers you would be willing to drive to for servicing and repairs. Enquire about their servicing costs and other things such as loan cars etc. Choose the best dealer/marque that offers the vehicle and support service you can afford and buy that.

I realise we are on a Volvo forum but if your nearest Volvo dealer is 100km away and you know little to nothing about mechanical things then youre more likely to have a negative experience instead of a positive one which isnt what we want you to have. It would be the same advice regardless if we were on a Honda, Toyota or Ford forum.

Good luck!

Chris

I'd add as both a Volvo and Subaru (Liberty) owner that the Outback is a really good car and pretty much bulletproof mechanically. I wouldn't argue a Volvo is a better car necessarily, you need to check them in person and see what you think.

As @Slowbrick said, part of the deal (a big part) is how much of a DIY person you are and what servicing is like where you live. If the Volvo, or the Subaru for that matter, is difficult I'd avoid. Bear in mind that routine servicing isn't the issue, it's if you strike problems - unless the people you go to knows the cars you could be in a world of pain.

newbie666

Thank you Volvo brainstrust for your guidance and advice