Which model to purchase?
Which model to purchase?
The wife is INSISTING on an S60 (she has an S40 now)... I can only afford pre-owned. I find that I can afford 2012-2014 (roughly $20K). Now I see that there are different engine types (2.4, 3.0), and various designations (Premium, etc.). I started my reading, but it gets complicated!!! In short, what is the best 'bang for the buck'? Which engine gets the better MPG, reliability ? Any info that you could pass on so that I can eliminate all the pre-purchase questions would be helpful. What would you buy?
I just bought a CPO 2015 V60, so I can help with some of this, and I hope that I don't get anything wrong.
The "Premium" and "Platinum" are the trim levels. What it largely has to do with is what options are standard with the car, and not so much with the engine or drivetrain. Volvo options are largely a-la-carte, but the trim level sort of sets a base level for what one given car will start out with.
As for the engines, I can't make any comment about reliability - I simply don't know enough. You didn't ask about AWD/FWD, but that's something else in the decision tree. In general FWD will have a bit better fuel economy than all-wheel drive, and you will need to decide whether AWD is something you want.
Engine choices depend a lot on the model year you select - in 2015, the Drive-E became available, and that changed a lot of things. And while you aren't looking for something this new, it does serve to muddy the waters as you read various things. Note that my 2015 Drive-E has an EPA highway of 37mpg - anything 2014 and older is going to have a maximum of about 30mpg.
If I were looking at something in the 2012-2014 range, I would probably pick the 2.5 liter engine (the smallest) - mainly because it gets the best fuel economy, and with my driving style, has more than enough HP. But when looking for a used car sometimes you have to choose between what's available rather than what you might have picked had all of the different options been available.
The "Premium" and "Platinum" are the trim levels. What it largely has to do with is what options are standard with the car, and not so much with the engine or drivetrain. Volvo options are largely a-la-carte, but the trim level sort of sets a base level for what one given car will start out with.
As for the engines, I can't make any comment about reliability - I simply don't know enough. You didn't ask about AWD/FWD, but that's something else in the decision tree. In general FWD will have a bit better fuel economy than all-wheel drive, and you will need to decide whether AWD is something you want.
Engine choices depend a lot on the model year you select - in 2015, the Drive-E became available, and that changed a lot of things. And while you aren't looking for something this new, it does serve to muddy the waters as you read various things. Note that my 2015 Drive-E has an EPA highway of 37mpg - anything 2014 and older is going to have a maximum of about 30mpg.
If I were looking at something in the 2012-2014 range, I would probably pick the 2.5 liter engine (the smallest) - mainly because it gets the best fuel economy, and with my driving style, has more than enough HP. But when looking for a used car sometimes you have to choose between what's available rather than what you might have picked had all of the different options been available.
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matthew1
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Careful with the 2012 5-cylinder (2.5L) S60!
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Also -> Amazon link. Click that when you go to buy something on Amazon and MVS gets a cut!
1998 V70, no dash lights on
1997 850 T5 [gone] w/ MSD ignition coil, Hallman manual boost controller, injectors, R bumper, OMP strut brace
2004 V70 R [gone]
How to Thank someone for their post
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