Learning's from trying to buy an XC90

[scot850]

I hear you June. When they start making vehicles that long term Volvo owners actually want then maybe I might be in the market again for one.

Neil.

[scot850]

Well, I got an e-mail for the Edmonton dealer salesman last week asking if I was still interested in the 06 XC90 with 94k on it. Apparently they had not actually sold the vehicle,, but someone had placed a deposit on it but got fed up waiting for them to fix it and bought something else. They had fixed the oil leak in the replacement engine and were fixing some other stuff.

They can't finish the car to test drive it as they managed to damage the steering lock (possibly when replacing the engine?) and it is on back order but hopefully due this week.

They apologized for the delay, but then I asked the salesman a bunch of questions regarding the service info and clarification on the engine as he gave me the impression the replacement engine was also bad.

Then I got a phone call from the Dealer GM!! He also apologized and gave me an update and we discussed the car. Turns out the lead mechanic (supposed to be the #1 Volvo mechanic in Canada) replaced the timing belt/pulleys and also replaced the water pump which was not supposed to do (bonus). The replacement engine was fine after an oil seal was replaced. Salesman was given wrong info. I mentioned the car was near the large 96kkm (about $1200 CDN) service which includes many parts and oil /fluid changes. He said if I buy the car that will be included. I am also led to believe it has been fitted with new tires.

They have offered a lower asking price (Black Friday) but as yet I don't know what that is. Once the car is functioning they will do the full inspection including focusing on the specific issues of suspension and drive-line.

The GM says they don't normally retail cars of this age, but this one he knew the owner from new, and also the low mileage and condition were huge factors. Once the inspections are done they are supposed to send me a copy and I will arrange to go see it.

Time will tell.

Neil.

[scot850]

Well, time to update the learnings! I finally bought an SUV. And it is....... a Gen 4 Toyota 4 Runner V8 Ltd. Bought from a Toyota dealer. 1 owner 03 bought from the dealer new and mostly serviced there. Only 90k miles and generally decent condition. Paying over the odds for a vehicle of this age, but up here they hold their value incredibly, especially if low miles. Mileage more important than age I am told by local enthusiasts. Young sales guy also has one he let me drive and the drivers seat was good for me. Car will come fully serviced with all new fluids: brake/coolant/trans/engine/diffs/transfer unit as well as new timing belt, serpentine belt and new front calipers and pads. I will do the rears when they come due in a few months so I can service the parking brakes and clean paint all the rear brake parts like the calipers/brackets and dust plates. Good thing is the vehicle is not too precious to worry about but also has some jobs I can tackle. The boss was concerned if I got too new a vehicle I wouldn't have anthing to work on to keep me occupied!

Gave up on trying to find a XC90. Found an ok 2010 3.2 I6 in white, black interior but man were the seats uncomfortable. Volvo stopped making decent seat after the P80's/2000MY I guess, but a S80 might have been ok, but the car is no good for my needs.

I was never able to find another XC90 with a seat like the one I test drove about a year ago which seemed to have a lot more adjustment than any other I have found and was super comfortable. No one seems to know what the seat is so gave up.

I'm sure if I could have found an XC90 with a decent seat then I might have liked that, but the vehicle was not out there. #1 requirement is a good seat support for my bad back on long trips.

[mrbrian200]

Seats. Hmm. Sometime between MY04 and MY06 the way the seat bottom adjusts was changed/updated. On my sisters' 03, adjusting the seat bottom 'angle' tilts the entire seat like a rocking chair. On my '06, this adjustment only raises/lowers the front edge of the seat bottom instead of tilting the entire seat assembly. On the '03, you can still accomplish the same position/angles by manipulating both the bottom angle 'rocking chair' adjustment and the seat back/recline adjustment, but it's more fiddly to find just the right spot than with the later design on my '06.

Some leather conditioners make the protective vinyl coating on the seat leather stiff as a board and very uncomfortable to sit on. This was my experience with Lexol. When I switched to Mothers VLR, it softened back up and became comfy again. Had a PO treated the seats with the wrong conditioner before I bought it I might never have been the wiser to this. The leather on my sister's '03 was stiff as a board when she bought it. I treated it with VLR which softened it back up somewhat. Not being my own car I haven't done multiple applications that hers needs because when I'm applying conditioner in my own car and might think to do hers, she's usually not around.

[matthew1]

Well, time to update the learnings! I finally bought an SUV. And it is....... a Gen 4 Toyota 4 Runner V8 Ltd. Bought from a Toyota dealer. 1 owner 03 bought from the dealer new and mostly serviced there. Only 90k miles and generally decent condition.

Congratulations, Neil. Sounds like a great SUV.

Car will come fully serviced with all new fluids: brake/coolant/trans/engine/diffs/transfer unit as well as new timing belt, serpentine belt and new front calipers and pads.

That’s a nice list of service items!

[scot850]

Well I hope it will be as good as I hope. As I don't do a big mileage (around 3-4000 miles a year or less) we needed something for longer runs that was comfortable, could take a large and a medium dog and all the stuff for 2 adults and 2 dogs for longer trips.

I (being 50% of Scottish decent and a retired mechanical engineer) was struggling with paying a lot of money for all the depreciation on it when not getting a huge amount of use. With a bad back and neck and being rather large of stature (ahem!) I need a seat that takes most of the weight on the thighs and limited on the lower back (think P80 seats). Also 4 whiplash injuries has arthritis in my neck added to that in my lower back , getting into/out of an SUV v's a wagon when 6' 2" is no contest. You would be surprised how many vehicles I tried and most had lousy seat that were like flat planks and built (no insult intended) for those of a smaller size/weight/stature. What ever happened to humans are getting taller? Most seat squabs are getting shorter to give the impression of more room inside. But like modern shoes, they are no longer designed for humans I'm convinced, unless we were all born with no arches to our feet and flat as well.

Even the Gen 5 onward (2010) 4 Runner are awful seats, so the Gen4 became the goto choice. As it is an older vehicle I can do what I did with a brand new Honda Oddity minivan we bought when we came to Canada if needed. That seat was even less comfortable than a plank of wood. After 150km of Highway driving I was in bad pain in my back. I got advise from a friend who had a buddy who ran a automotive and marine upholstery shop. They removed the cover from the drivers seat base, slit the foam on both sides to near the middle and then inserted 2 x 1" tapered HD/dense foam inserts and glued the foam back together, refitted the original seat cover and stretched it with steam. Look totally stock but was totally transformed. Took it back to the dealer and the sales guys couldn't believe the difference. 2002 model Oddities had much better seats with better contours!

Why Honda Oddity? First new vehicle and first far eastern vehicle owned (but built in Canada). Terrible piece of junk that developed many and expensive and repeat faults which took a nasty letter to president of Honda Canada to rectify. Thank goodness for the extended warranty!

Hoping my second visit to the manufacturer from the land of the rising sun will be more enjoyable!

For me Volvo have lost their way for people like me, the average person. Oh, well the 00 V70R is still staying for now and will become even more of a garage queen!

We also still have an 06 XC70 (also bad seats).

Neil.

[matthew1]

I'm also tall and have lower back trouble. I take it you don't feel Toyota truck seats are too close to the floor? I don't know about 4Runners specifically, only 1980s-1990s Toyota pickups which I could never get comfortable in.

[scot850]

No I can't say I find the seat too low in this one, and even the Gen 2/3 from early 90-2002 were not too bad. I nearly bought one several years ago, but couldn't get the deal done. Eventually bought a Yukon, then Suburban. Both had good seats and the 01 Suburban is probably the best seat I have ever had. Drove that back from Montana 1100km after putting my back out on vacation. Felt better once I got back than when I left. I'll let you know once I drive the car a lot more. Not getting it for a couple of weeks due to changing the insurance company at the end of next week.

Neil.