seeking XC90 buying advice

[poiuytre111]

My son has decided he needs a car with lots of space (for his young family) plus a bit of style and has settled on this model. The car won't do a lot of miles and he is aiming for something young with sub 50k miles which runs against any advice I might personally offer him. My questions are - are there any significant benefits from an older vs younger model and what should we look out for when buying ? I myself bought my first volvo (C70) just a few weeks ago then discovered this excellent forum so I thought I would ask here.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by poiuytre111

My son has decided he needs a car with lots of space (for his young family) plus a bit of style and has settled on this model. The car won't do a lot of miles and he is aiming for something young with sub 50k miles which runs against any advice I might personally offer him. My questions are - are there any significant benefits from an older vs younger model and what should we look out for when buying ? I myself bought my first volvo (C70) just a few weeks ago then discovered this excellent forum so I thought I would ask here.

I would go 2007 - 2009 they seemed the most trouble free . There were one or two niggling troubles with a few of the later ones .

What ever you get , put some money aside for maintenance: £2000
Brake overhauls are costly , Parking brakes are usually poor ..
Also Tyres
you may get a wheel bearing at some point or a swirl throttle rod ball joint wear .
People will part exchange after having had a service and these kind of things being pointed out to them .. Leaving the buyer to sort it out ready for the next 100,000 miles ... On the other hand it may well be all up to scratch ..

[Chesney46]

Also keep in mind the tax costs. Around 05-07 it jumps up to £500 a year. Before and after it's around £295. I'm not sure of the exact dates of change so investigate before buying.

[oragex]

Early models had widespread problems with a costly AWD repair. Don't think he will find one with low miles, but the 2.9 twin turbo engine had a poor transmission.

[john langrick]

Hi, also check if he can insure the car at his age. My son (29) will have to be 35 before he can get fully comp on my 2003 xc90 diesel with my current insurance company. Others may be OK, but worth checking.

Cheers

[binty]

Originally Posted by Chesney46

Also keep in mind the tax costs. Around 05-07 it jumps up to £500 a year. Before and after it's around £295. I'm not sure of the exact dates of change so investigate before buying.

Anything registered before 23 May 2006 is lower tax £305 or less.
Higher bands came in for cars after this date if they have the higher emissions.
Just check the CO2 g/km figure in the registration document V5. If it is registered on or after 23 May 2006, AND the emissions are 226 g/km and above you have the high tax bands of £520 or £535.

[nish1013]

Originally Posted by john langrick

Hi, also check if he can insure the car at his age. My son (29) will have to be 35 before he can get fully comp on my 2003 xc90 diesel with my current insurance company. Others may be OK, but worth checking.

Cheers

How much is the average insurance cost ? I'm paying £1800

[HiFlyer437]

The later models are not in the higher VED band if they are a manual. We pay £275 a year to insure ours.

[nish1013]

Originally Posted by HiFlyer437

The later models are not in the higher VED band if they are a manual. We pay £275 a year to insure ours.

Wow , seem like I'm over paying for insurnace mine one is Auto and paying 275 for road tax.

[TruckbusUK]

Insurance fully comp, in Glasgow ... £325