So, My wife really loves Volvos..... I found a good deal on an 08 XC90. I'd like to make that happen for her but I don't know about these vehicles.
Its the 3.2 V6 AWD with 100k on it. Fully loaded. Seems like a nice rig.
Cost of maintenance ?
Reliability ?
Parts Cost? (im assuming is high)
Would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Especially if you work on Volvos or own one yourself.
3.2 or v8?
In reply to fanfoy :
3.2
I hope it's yes; I've always liked these and they are SO CHEAP nowadays.
3.2 are slow but reliable. In 08 they had fixed most issues that plagued the early XC90's (mostly electrical stuff and fragile transmissions and suspension components).
They seem to go through tires and brakes pretty quickly but they are very hard wearing (body and interior)
In reply to fanfoy :
Great thanks for the input I really appreciate it.
The only engine for the XC90 that is trust worthy is the 5 cyl. THe V6 and V8 have too many issues. DO your homework.
Any 3.2 will not share the any drivetrain components with the older stuff, before anyone says "lol angle drive!!!1" 
Much larger components all around than anything with the 5 speed auto, or manual transmissions (same junk in both)
In reply to markwemple :
When did volvo use a v6?
markwemple said:The only engine for the XC90 that is trust worthy is the 5 cyl. THe V6 and V8 have too many issues. DO your homework.
The 3.2 is a straight 6 and it is very reliable but underpowered for the vehicle. The old 2.5T feels faster and is very reliable but it is attached to a fragile aisin transmission and a crappy angle drive. The 3.2 has the new 6-speed transmission and angle-drive that was also used on the V8 and R-models.It's solid.
Knurled. said:In reply to markwemple :
When did volvo use a v6?
In the 80s. Also used by other manufacturers highly regarded for reliability such as Peugeot and Renault.
fanfoy said:3.2 or v8?
What's the deal with the v8 models? I know the Volvo v8 sounds amazing when uncorked.
not the worst reliability I've ever seen. 
Records are important. I own an 08 S60. Good so far. Expect to maintain it like any Euro car. Parts are pricey, but not out of reach. Timing belt about now with 100K, also maybe a tensioner and water pump. Also check out the front end and bushings, along with the strut bearings.
They are as nice a place to cross the country as I have ever encountered. The engines are pretty much bulletproof. The seats are spectacular.
fanfoy said:markwemple said:The only engine for the XC90 that is trust worthy is the 5 cyl. THe V6 and V8 have too many issues. DO your homework.
The 3.2 is a straight 6 and it is very reliable but underpowered for the vehicle. The old 2.5T feels faster and is very reliable but it is attached to a fragile aisin transmission and a crappy angle drive. The 3.2 has the new 6-speed transmission and angle-drive that was also used on the V8 and R-models.It's solid.
Technically, half/most of the Rs used the 5 speed. '04-05 used the 5 speed, '06-07 used the 6 speed. (And DAMN was it a waiting game to find an '06-07)
The 6 speed is also an Aisin-Warner transmission. They still have valve body issues, because as my trans guy says, ALL Aisin-Warner transmissions have valve body issues. But at least the 6 speed is built for much more powerful engines and heavier vehicles.
The v8 has a bearing that can fail from water corrosion IIRC. Some have no problems. I have read to only buy a v8 if the engine looks like its never been cleaned.. but its roll the dice. The T6 torque kills its transmission. So 2.5t or non-T6 six are the ones to consider. I'd probably only look at FWDs myself, thats all I need and less things to go wrong. I'd expect it to eat brakes and tires as other high and heavy cars do.
So like this one?
My father has a FWD I6 one. I think an 04 or an 05. It's been a great trucklet except for a couple of issues. He had a headlight go out that could not be fixed. The dealership could not even figure out what was wrong except for "it needs a new a computer". We traced the wires and none of them had power, so we cut, added a relay next to the good headlight, so that when it comes on, it powers up the other. It also has a noisy transmission, but that had not stopped it for running 20,000 miles including two trips to florida
In reply to mad_machine :
My ex-S40 did that. There is a bad solder joint or something in the body control module (or whatever Volvo calls it). Only acts up when it is cold, sometimes, and a well placed thump on the dashboard makes the headlight work again.
I could get a used module on eBay for like $60, but smacking something into functionality is more primally satisfying.
V-8 XC90's will have you on a first name basis with every convenience store clerk for 30 miles, as you make your daily gas stop. I could coax my demo to get 12 mpg if I fueled it with 91 octane and manually shifted it into as high of a gear as it would go. Great sound and power, but it thought it was towing a house when it came to fuel economy.
I've been watching these lately, as well. They seem like a decent value for something AWD that can seat 7.
You'll need to log in to post.
