lov4volvo wroteHi all,
So I really want to know your thoughts on the following;
1.what exactly is the yearly cost of servicing and maintaining a volvo (any ball park comps is fine)
2.How many years can I get out of a 2006-8 model
3.Which models and years are reliable
4.Where can I read up on Volvos
5.DId the Chinese takeover change anything significant to the quality of the car...
Welcome!
Glad to see you're asking the sensible questions BEFORE buying...
I'm a bit late to the party, so here's my two cents.
These are the key questions...
A. What can you afford?
B. What do you want?
C. What do you NEED?
You’ve answered A)
Have a good think about C)
If you don’t really need a high-riding SUV, then you can avoid the extra expense in purchase price and running costs. I’m biased to wagons as there’s more useable cargo space and we don’t really need a SUV.
Few general things to watch out for…
Insurance
- can be marginally or significantly higher
- suggest you shop around as premiums can vary by several hundreds of dollars between underwriters for the same model
Models & years
That depends on your answers to B) & C)… :)
Small wagon or big wagon or XC wagon vs. SUV – what do you REALLY NEED?
If you need cargo space, you can’t go past the V70 (the V50 is snug).
If you want height, then the XC90 is the one - otherwise the XC70 may not be high enough.
Take a few for a test drive and you'll immediately narrow down what you like.
FWD vs AWD
AWD is great fun in the wet, but the added weight and complexity costs a bit extra in fuel consumption and maintenance costs.
Normally Aspirated vs turbo
3.2 = Avoid like the plague in the XC90
2.4i = adequate in the V50, but I found it a bit pedestrian in the V70
2.4T = low pressure turbo, good all-round performer
T5 = high pressure turbo – but thirsty around town when you gun it
D5 = very good turbo diesel engine in the XC90 (as others have said)
T6 and V8 = other performance options...
Yearly cost for servicing
Clearly depends on the model, how many km’s it’s traveled and the condition
At the age & vintage you’re looking at I would annually budget…
- $1.5k + if you’re getting Volvo dealer to do the work
- $800 - $1.4k if you’re getting a reputable Volvo specialist to do the work
- much less if you’re handy with the spanners
Why?
During your ownership there will be a few big ticket items that will come up
Brakes (pads+rotors), upper spring seats, control arm bushes, timing belt etc.
Yes, parts can be more expensive, but most of us know where to source the right parts for the right price…
Regarding your other questions:
2. As other’s have stated if you look after these cars - many years to come!
The 5 cyl white block engines are proven and very robust.
5. The Chinese took over Volvo in 2009/10
So the models and years you are looking at have no Chinese influence!
Sounds like you are leaning towards the XC90?
