i'm mixed about volvo's current sales

on one hand its great, volvo doing well, on the other I feel quality will be going downhill as mass production ramps up and measures are made to cut corners. Not saying it will happen, just I have little faith whenever a company gets too big

although they seem to still be on track with safety, its just a shame that purchase prices have skyrocketed.

One factor that has limited European sales has been the VW dieselgate affair, which has hit diesel sales drastically. You might imagine that buyers would just switch to petrol cars but that is not entirely so. Many just put off changing, especially in Volvo's market sector which is less reliant than most on fleet sales. Volvo's sales success is remarkable in a shrinking market and in contrast to JLR sales, which are even more diesel-focussed.
Not many people want a petrol large car and many are reluctant to buy diesel because of the threats of taxes if visiting or living in towns. That even when modern direct injection petrol engines have the same issue with particulates and particulate filters as diesels and where modern diesel NOx emissions are unbelievably low, at least from the manufacturers with some moral and ethical standards.

Having to seriously start looking as my car is due for replacement later this year, or buy my current car.

At the moment I think Volvo have a tremendous line up and arguably have some of the best looking cars in the market. Problem I have now is that the cars have gone up a rung or two of the ladder and as you say the prices have gone up too. Having got a few quotes in November I would be looking at a XC40 in the price range I paid for my XC60 R-Des. Test drove the new '40' but I must be in the minority as I didn't particularly like it.

Now Volvo are up there with the 'big boys' as I said to the wife I may as well have a look to see what they have to offer.

I'm almost certain my next car will be another diesel, the scaremongering doesn't really put me off. I just like the torquey nature the diesels have.

I’m glad I helped

Have you checked "drivethedeal" for prices?

Had a look on DtD and CarWow etc, at the moment I'm not desperate as I've got until September if I don't change sooner. Although I will need to factor in the waiting times if I decide on a factory build. In bit of a quandary at the moment, new or nearly new and wether to dip my toe into personal leasing which is something I have never done before. At the moment I'm quite fancying a V60CC although I have not seen one in the flesh yet. Hmm, trip to the dealer methinks. When I had my car serviced in September they gave me a V60 Momentum and that drove well, quite impressed.

Also the VOC discount has improved significantly for Q1 2019.

I am in a similar position to you Mike, my car is up for renewal at the end of October - it is on a 2 year personal lease, the first time I had gone with that method of “buying” a car.

I am not sure what to go for either, I like the look of the V60CC, but the last time I looked, there was on the “base” model, no Pro version.

I am quite taken by the V90CC too, although that is a large vehicle!

I think a lot will depend on monthly prices when I come to look in the summer.

How did you find the leasing process S_B, is it something you would consider again? If the circumstances were favourable. As I said previously it's something I have never done before as I have always gone the usual route with finance, PCP, HP etc; so never technically own the car as I then start the process over again at the end of the term.

Had a look on the configurator today and still no Pro version for the V60 CC, plenty of option packs to go at though.

V90 CC looks really nice, and as you say it is a big car but you can get a Pro spec.

Mike

Hi Mike, I found the process really easy and will definitely be looking at going down the same route again - I like changing my car regularly so this is a good way of doing it for me - the Dealer recommended it after having a PCP deal for the previous XC60.
I have a personal number plate and decided not to transfer it to the car as Santander (Lease Company) charge £50 administration fee to put on and £50 to remove plate 2 months before the end of the lease.
Other than that, I don’t see any real disadvantages for me opting to use this method again.
If you bank with Santander, they offer personal lease deals for Volvos on an 18 month term with no deposit, definitely worth looking at as they use your local Dealer to supply the vehicle.