Originally Posted by Physiogirl (Post 2456292)

Hi

This is my first post but I'm really hoping by joining you can all help me.

I'm in the process of picking which car is right for me and after tying several cars I decided on the Volvo XC40 as I felt it was big enough and suits my needs but the reason I need your help is because my sister thinks I should go for a bigger car even though I really want to get the XC40, I did test drive the car she thinks I should go for ( my sister and her 3yr old son lives with me and further into this post I'll explain more) the Kia Sorento is what she thinks I should get but I really don't feel I need a car that big hence why I'm stuck as both are lovely cars but not only do I feel that I don't need a car that big but the Sorento is way more expensive and I'm not 100% sure I can afford it were the XC40 I know I can afford.

Both suit what I need and I have test drove both and liked Both but the XC40 won hands down due to being quiter. Below I will write some of the things that are important to me.

1) i will be driving 300 miles a week and live in a very isolated village and we get very bad winters here when it does snow so being able to drive though the snow is very important as we have no supermarkets or shops ect were we like we are a very , very small village , my nephew goes to nursery in the next town to us which is 30 mins drive ( I pick him up as my sister works in the evening) and I work 1hr away from were we live. So it's important that I can drive out of the village and not let the snow be a problem. I think I read as long as I have good winter tyres the XC40 will do just as well as the bigger car.

2) I suffer with fibromyalgia and back issues so comfty seats and heated seats\ steering wheel are important so I don't get stiff

3) due to suffering tinnitus a car that's not to noisy ( the only noise that can be a problem is road noise , tyre noise ect. ) this is why the Volvo won hands down in the test drive as it was quiter than the Kia.

4) reliable ( I'm not sure how reliable Volvo's are)

5) able to carry two large dogs in crates in the back ( a German shepherd and a golden retriever)

The car will be used for , daily commute to work and then picking my nephew up after work , day trips , shopping trips, trips to the vet , grocery shopping ect.

Please read what I'm about to say very carefully so you can understand why I don't think I need such a big car like the Sorento.

The reason my sister wants me to have a bigger car than the XC40 is we always have to hire a car for holidays as my sister's car is not big enough , she owns a Mazda 3 hatchback, and there's not enough room for me, my sister, my mom ( who comes on holiday with us) , my nephew and 2 large dogs let alone luggage so we always hire and my sister thinks if I got the bigger car we won't need to hire anymore but I just think that's a waste of a big car as apart from going on holiday once a year we are never in the car all at once for example most week days it will be just me during the day and my nephew in the evening , then shopping trips are the only time we are all in the car but if we go on a shopping trip ( clothes shopping ect) then the dogs won't be with us and if we go on a day trip with the dogs then we won't be shopping , so I just don't see the point in getting a big car like the Sorento when 80% of the time it's just me and my nephew in the car. I just thought for holidays that I could have the dogs and my sister could have the luggage that way we all still go on holiday without hiring if that makes sense.

I thought that my plan would be better as I can't help but think of what the service costs and maintenance costs are for such a big car like the Sorento compared to the XC40 as I'm the one paying for the services ect and only so we have a bigger car for holidays ect that's why I think my idea is better of using two cars my and hers instead of buying a car bigger than I need.

The reason I joined is in hope I can get an outside view advice and to see if XC40 owners agree that the XC40 seems right for the needs above.

Originally Posted by Volvo 2007 V50 (Post 2702991)

XC40 is a car, the Kia Sorento is a heavy, solid 4x4 with low range and diff lock. A proper diff lock that causes a big clunk underneath. ( a feature recommended by Jeremy Clarkson )

Originally Posted by Physiogirl (Post 2456663)

Thanks , after test driving the XC60 and XC40 I love both and it's hard to pick I would pick the XC60 but am worried it will be massively more expensive to service and massively more expensive for repairs ( once the warranty has ended) as I'm presuming the XC40 will be cheaper being smaller.

I definitely have decided I will be buying a Volvo. I'm just between the XC40 and XC60 but it all comes down to repair\service\ running costs ect. As buying the car itself is no problem I have saved up 48k ( given to me by my dad when he passed away) to buy a new car so can buy either , my only worry financially is running costs and service\repair costs.

And can anyone tell me how reliable Volvo are as a brand as I have read mixed reviews some say there very reliable others not so good and the reliability surveys put them in the middle not as high up as Toyota \ lexus on the list but not as low as land rover or jaguar?

Originally Posted by Physiogirl (Post 2456663)

Thanks , after test driving the XC60 and XC40 I love both and it's hard to pick I would pick the XC60 but am worried it will be massively more expensive to service and massively more expensive for repairs ( once the warranty has ended) as I'm presuming the XC40 will be cheaper being smaller.

I definitely have decided I will be buying a Volvo. I'm just between the XC40 and XC60 but it all comes down to repair\service\ running costs ect. As buying the car itself is no problem I have saved up 48k ( given to me by my dad when he passed away) to buy a new car so can buy either , my only worry financially is running costs and service\repair costs.

And can anyone tell me how reliable Volvo are as a brand as I have read mixed reviews some say there very reliable others not so good and the reliability surveys put them in the middle not as high up as Toyota \ lexus on the list but not as low as land rover or jaguar?