I'm looking to buy an XC90 but what year, what model, what engine, trans and so on.
I should tell you my needs? I'm looking for an AWD, Automatic transmission and of course gas mileage ia always a consideration.
So thank you in advance...
Wanting to buy an XC90?
Off the cuff; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_XC90
I would avoid the twin turbo T6. Bad transmissions from GM plague those models.
I looked specifically for the 2.5 T5. It has been Volvo's workhorse for many years and I wanted the knowledge base of a long provided engine and parts availability too boot. I get 16mpg city and 22mpg hwy. This engine offers some of the best mileage in a three row SUV. Even compared to today's competition like GMC, Mazda, Dodge, etc. I forget what year they stopped providing the 2.5l... I think it was 2007.
I have also heard good things about the Yamaha sourced V8. That engine is a Ford mainstay and the last year it was offered I think was 2010.
You will have lots of options based on price and how many miles you want on the vehicle. You should also narrow down the package you want in the car. I needed AWD, three rows and the 2.5l T5 engine.
After about 30 days of looking, in Feb. of 2012 I found a 1 owner 2005 2.5 AWD with 82k miles on it. The price was right (just under market value) and it has been a decent vehicle. I did have to put about $2,000 into it during the course of the year for repairs and maintenance items (brakes, timing belt, etc). I think it is still worth it as it is VERY well composed on the road, extremely comfortable and has a decent amount of room (even with the three rows up).
I would avoid the twin turbo T6. Bad transmissions from GM plague those models.
I looked specifically for the 2.5 T5. It has been Volvo's workhorse for many years and I wanted the knowledge base of a long provided engine and parts availability too boot. I get 16mpg city and 22mpg hwy. This engine offers some of the best mileage in a three row SUV. Even compared to today's competition like GMC, Mazda, Dodge, etc. I forget what year they stopped providing the 2.5l... I think it was 2007.
I have also heard good things about the Yamaha sourced V8. That engine is a Ford mainstay and the last year it was offered I think was 2010.
You will have lots of options based on price and how many miles you want on the vehicle. You should also narrow down the package you want in the car. I needed AWD, three rows and the 2.5l T5 engine.
After about 30 days of looking, in Feb. of 2012 I found a 1 owner 2005 2.5 AWD with 82k miles on it. The price was right (just under market value) and it has been a decent vehicle. I did have to put about $2,000 into it during the course of the year for repairs and maintenance items (brakes, timing belt, etc). I think it is still worth it as it is VERY well composed on the road, extremely comfortable and has a decent amount of room (even with the three rows up).
-
boosted5cyl
- Posts: 1100
- Joined: 29 January 2010
- Year and Model: '98 V70 T5, '99 S80
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Been thanked: 1 time
What budget and years are you looking at?
With the weight of the XC90 you can kiss gas mileage goodbye. Smaller motors help, but only a little. I was looking at XC90's and im starting to back away because the only tried-and-true package is the 2.5T which while its good for what it is, its not really enough to drag a rolling bank safe around.
T6 model as mentioned can be problematic as the transmission is being used in an application that it really wasnt designed for. The T6 motor already puts out torque right on the upper limit of what it can handle, add in the weight of the XC90 and you are on a path to tranny destruction.
The V8 in the XC90 and S80 is not used in ANY Fords whatsoever that I'm aware. It was deisgned by Yamaha to Volvo's specs, including the Volvos modular design philosophy. Sometimes people make the mistake of relating it to the Yamaha designed V8 in the Taurus SHO which is very, very different to what's in the S80 and XC90. The major flaw with the V8's balance shaft bearing design. It's particularly problematic with the early '05 models. The sealed bearings for the shaft rust, the shaft siezes and this can take the entire cam drive with it, think timing belt failure on an interference motor. What's worse is that its a big job to do even as preventative maintenance as the "front" head of the motor at the least needs to come off to replace the parts and many say it is a motor out of engine bay job. Although I wonder if you could raise the motor just high enough in the bay to get the head off.
Rusting of the bearings was put down to inadequate drainage in the valley pan area, Volvo revised this above a certain engine but honestly, given the bespoke nature of this engine and cost to replace or repair I'm not going to take a chance on a later model until I can find exact specs on the bearings so I can work out some sort of expected longevity. You have the equivalent of a set of roller wheel bearings on there and thats not what I'd like to pin my hopes on for camgear in a motor that runs $3700 at the minimum used.
The 3.2 apparently has some camshaft issues? At that point I just put looking at anything other than a 2.5T on hold.
Don't get me wrong, I love the XC90 and we'd really like to buy one for the safety and comfort aspects, but we also like to have a little performance which is making us lean towards the like of a V8 Tourareg or X5. These have their own problems of course, but I'd take any of those issues over the potiential trainwreck that is the yammie V8. Such a shame too because otherwise its a very sweet motor.
With the weight of the XC90 you can kiss gas mileage goodbye. Smaller motors help, but only a little. I was looking at XC90's and im starting to back away because the only tried-and-true package is the 2.5T which while its good for what it is, its not really enough to drag a rolling bank safe around.
T6 model as mentioned can be problematic as the transmission is being used in an application that it really wasnt designed for. The T6 motor already puts out torque right on the upper limit of what it can handle, add in the weight of the XC90 and you are on a path to tranny destruction.
The V8 in the XC90 and S80 is not used in ANY Fords whatsoever that I'm aware. It was deisgned by Yamaha to Volvo's specs, including the Volvos modular design philosophy. Sometimes people make the mistake of relating it to the Yamaha designed V8 in the Taurus SHO which is very, very different to what's in the S80 and XC90. The major flaw with the V8's balance shaft bearing design. It's particularly problematic with the early '05 models. The sealed bearings for the shaft rust, the shaft siezes and this can take the entire cam drive with it, think timing belt failure on an interference motor. What's worse is that its a big job to do even as preventative maintenance as the "front" head of the motor at the least needs to come off to replace the parts and many say it is a motor out of engine bay job. Although I wonder if you could raise the motor just high enough in the bay to get the head off.
Rusting of the bearings was put down to inadequate drainage in the valley pan area, Volvo revised this above a certain engine but honestly, given the bespoke nature of this engine and cost to replace or repair I'm not going to take a chance on a later model until I can find exact specs on the bearings so I can work out some sort of expected longevity. You have the equivalent of a set of roller wheel bearings on there and thats not what I'd like to pin my hopes on for camgear in a motor that runs $3700 at the minimum used.
The 3.2 apparently has some camshaft issues? At that point I just put looking at anything other than a 2.5T on hold.
Don't get me wrong, I love the XC90 and we'd really like to buy one for the safety and comfort aspects, but we also like to have a little performance which is making us lean towards the like of a V8 Tourareg or X5. These have their own problems of course, but I'd take any of those issues over the potiential trainwreck that is the yammie V8. Such a shame too because otherwise its a very sweet motor.
'04 XC90 2.5T AWD (Angus) 134K.
'99 S80 T6 (Medusa) 214k. On borrowed time LOL
'98 V70 T5 (Vivienne). RIP @ 228K. Spun rod bearings.
'99 S80 T6 (Medusa) 214k. On borrowed time LOL
'98 V70 T5 (Vivienne). RIP @ 228K. Spun rod bearings.
Thank you (boosted5cyl) good points you made I think I'm looking from 2003-07 and I'm liking the 2.5L AWD.
The 2.5L seems to be Volvo's workhorse and performance yes but I don't need a hotrod if you know what I mean.
But your last paragraph got me thinking maybe a 2003-07 XC70 or X5? I do like Volvo's thou...
Thx again
The 2.5L seems to be Volvo's workhorse and performance yes but I don't need a hotrod if you know what I mean.
But your last paragraph got me thinking maybe a 2003-07 XC70 or X5? I do like Volvo's thou...
Thx again
-
boosted5cyl
- Posts: 1100
- Joined: 29 January 2010
- Year and Model: '98 V70 T5, '99 S80
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Been thanked: 1 time
Sounds like a 2.5 would be a good vehicle for you then. Drive the XC70 and see what you think. What about the V series (Ie non AWD) might be a good idea too. Less to break, less to haul, less gas to have to burn. 4WD only helps get you going, makes little difference when you hit the brakes. Winter tires help both.
'04 XC90 2.5T AWD (Angus) 134K.
'99 S80 T6 (Medusa) 214k. On borrowed time LOL
'98 V70 T5 (Vivienne). RIP @ 228K. Spun rod bearings.
'99 S80 T6 (Medusa) 214k. On borrowed time LOL
'98 V70 T5 (Vivienne). RIP @ 228K. Spun rod bearings.
-
outrigger777
- Posts: 73
- Joined: 1 November 2010
- Year and Model: 2006 xc90 1998 v70xc
- Location: Evergreen, Colorado, USA
- Been thanked: 1 time
The 2.5T on the XC90 is very underrated by many car enthusiasts because of it's HP. But the max torque comes in at a very low 1500 RPM--it is not sluggish off the line. In fact you could say it leaps forward from a dead stop. I read where someone called this engine a "a little bruiser", because of it's low end torque. And when I'm at the front at the light, I out-accelerate 98% of the cars around me. It has plenty of power for most people's needs. And you get a tried and true, indestructible, Volvo 5 cyl engine.flylow wrote:Thank you (boosted5cyl) good points you made I think I'm looking from 2003-07 and I'm liking the 2.5L AWD.
The 2.5L seems to be Volvo's workhorse and performance yes but I don't need a hotrod if you know what I mean.
But your last paragraph got me thinking maybe a 2003-07 XC70 or X5? I do like Volvo's thou...
Thanks outrigger I feel that way about the 2.5 but it's nice to get somebody else that thinks that way too. I'm not a leadfoot and why I'm looking at an XC90 AWD in because I go up to Oregon a lot and I'm done putting chains on!
-
boosted5cyl
- Posts: 1100
- Joined: 29 January 2010
- Year and Model: '98 V70 T5, '99 S80
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Been thanked: 1 time
I agree it has a wide torque band which is something that paper specs and peak HP/Tq ratings don't account for.outrigger777 wrote:The 2.5T on the XC90 is very underrated by many car enthusiasts because of it's HP. But the max torque comes in at a very low 1500 RPM--it is not sluggish off the line. In fact you could say it leaps forward from a dead stop. I read where someone called this engine a "a little bruiser", because of it's low end torque. And when I'm at the front at the light, I out-accelerate 98% of the cars around me. It has plenty of power for most people's needs. And you get a tried and true, indestructible, Volvo 5 cyl engine.
'04 XC90 2.5T AWD (Angus) 134K.
'99 S80 T6 (Medusa) 214k. On borrowed time LOL
'98 V70 T5 (Vivienne). RIP @ 228K. Spun rod bearings.
'99 S80 T6 (Medusa) 214k. On borrowed time LOL
'98 V70 T5 (Vivienne). RIP @ 228K. Spun rod bearings.
-
outrigger777
- Posts: 73
- Joined: 1 November 2010
- Year and Model: 2006 xc90 1998 v70xc
- Location: Evergreen, Colorado, USA
- Been thanked: 1 time
'thumbs up'flylow wrote:Thanks outrigger I feel that way about the 2.5 but it's nice to get somebody else that thinks that way too. I'm not a leadfoot and why I'm looking at an XC90 AWD in because I go up to Oregon a lot and I'm done putting chains on!
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post