Newbie
 

Hi guys, new member, I'm in the market for an XC90, ideally looking for an R design, with a budget of 10k max! I'm not familiar with the volvos and I'm slowly learning what extras they came with.
What can people advise, what to look out for, what models are good, what engines are the better ones, what extras make a difference, what year should I look for, I'm thinking 2010ish, not a lot changed after than from what I can see, and the budget won't stretch up to the later spec.
It will be used to tow a 1400kg caravan half a dozen times a year.

Thanks in advance

Barney

There's not many better 'van pullers....

Why do you want R-Design? The specs are usually more basic than you would think, and they often have larger alloys wheels which scrape easily and tyres can cost up to twice the price of the normal (17 & 18 inch) wheels.

...and the ride isn't anything special.

Hi, I would not put too much value on RSE (rear seat entertainment). These days the novelty wears off on the younger generation who will inevitably get their individual devices.

You can also get android devices that clip in the headrests that are much more flexible... Just my opinion.

John l

I would base your search on condition/service history/ maintenance before worrying too much about spec. (Unless there is something that you really want). These are expensive cars to maintain and repair if you can't do the work yourself.

There are loads of threads on this forum about what to look out for when buying. I expect at the price range you are looking at some cars will have had suspension parts, engine mounts already replaced, others might need them doing before too long.

When I bought mine a year ago I spend a few weeks travelling around looking at loads of them so saw most of the options. I ended up with an SE, so not that high up the spec but still decent.

The only thing that I would have liked is the better headlights found on some higher level cars.

I read that the sat nav is ok but people tend to find it easier to use a phone app.

I think the top spec ones have air con in the third row of seats. Maybe this would be more important if you have dogs that will travel in the boot.

Enjoy the search.

Check out the road tax on the xc90's you are interested in before buying, some are sky high, later models with lower CO2 are cheaper to tax.

I'm very happy with the ride and handling of my SE Lux, which seems fine for such a big barge. Remember too that an R-Design won't have space (because of the extra exhaust pipe) for a temporary spare wheel, and has to make do with a compressor and can of gloop. It's not a big deal for some, though I like the security of a spare, even if it is a skinnier temp one just to get off a busy motorway at night.

In terms of good-to-have specs, I really like the xenon active bending lights - best I've had on any of my own cars - and the rear air con controls are good too as I quite often bung kids in the third row - definitely helped this summer on a trip to France. I'd have liked front parking sensors and a reversing camera, but they're relatively rare options.

I've got the sat nav and it's usable but a bit clumsy - certainly not a must have - and as mentioned RSE is fine but more modern tablets clipping on the headrest are more adaptable. Though my kids just use their own phones / tablets. Heated seats, factory Bluetooth and USB input for iPod etc all nice to have too. I've also got the power child locks and second / third row audio controls (as in the Family Pack) but these haven't been used much.

Thank you everybody for your words of wisdom you have given me something to think about. It has really helped out

Do the active headlights only turn when the vehicle is being driven or should they turn while the engine is running and the vehicle is stationary?

Only when in motion I think

PS - From the owners manual

Active Xenon headlamps*
If the car is equipped with
active Xenon headlamps
(Active Bending Lights, ABL)
the light from the headlamps
follows the steering wheel
movement during driving. The
function is activated automatically when the
car is started and can be deactivated/activated
by pressing the button. The lamp in the button
illuminates when the function is activated

Cheers

Dave