Volvo XC90 Buying Used

propellersara · December 2006

I am looking at buying a used Volvo (either a 2004 or a 2005). I need a 7-seater and would like it to have a dvd system and low mileage. We have 4 children (newborn, 3, 4 and 6) who will be the passengers. Is the V8 necessary? Any info anyone could offer would be great.

Thanks, Sara

volvomax · December 2006

The V8 isn't necessary, unless you like to drag race.
The 5 cyl is perfectly adequate.
DVD system isn't common on the 5 cyl. More common on the T6.
Roof mounted DVD can be added.
The headrest DVD was only available on the 06 and 07 models.

propellersara · December 2006

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

kylechoffman · February 2007

I have a 2006 7 seater with rear audio controls, no rear dvd though. 7000K miles since march 06. Let me know if interested.

Integrated bluetooth as well as cargo cover for the rear (hard plastic fitted volvo cargo cover).

Black on tan leather.

shieatt · February 2007

FYI... the headrest DVD was available in 05 models as well. I have a 2005 XC90 T6 with rear seat DVD in the headrest.

odysseymom3 · February 2007

We are looking for a reliable SAFE car for our college son.
Which car would be better 2004 AWD 2.5L engine or 2004 AWD 2.9L engine. He drives over 5 hours to college, so gas mileage is also a concern. Can anyone please reply and let us know if they have had any mechanical problems with either engine. How is the gas mileage? Thanks for your help!

guyf · February 2007

Go with the 2.5. Better mileage, more reliable (transmission) and not as fast as the 2.9.

triple_7 · March 2007

Not the answer your looking for, but you want a safe reliable car for a college student. consider a civic or jetta, both reliable and safe for their size and thousands cheaper...and their great on gas :shades:

devon1965 · March 2007

Honestly this is the last car I buy that has anything american made in it. Lightly used with 40k on it and I walked out the door until they agreed to CERTIFY the car!! The TRANSMISSION just stopped functioning but hte engine revs just fine. This after multiple trips in to fix wiper motor, seat motor, leaking hoses, suspension issues..... 4 months later we're working to trade this FORD in for anything NOT MADE with or IN the US!!!! yes I'm a white guy bourn and raised here with a flag in my yard even.

tgkoenigsegg · August 2007

I am looking at a few XC90's. There is one used one, a '06 Gray V8 with all listed options and a few 3.2's both have an MSRP of $49,652 that are Gray and Green. This one has all options except nav system and BLIS.I can get the V8 for around $39 and the 3.2, I was hoping to get it around $40-$42K.

mikej9 · September 2007

I am thinking of buying a 2004 XC90 (T6), it has about 37,000 miles. Are there any known mechanical issues to look for on this model? Does anyone have any advice about reliability, common problems, etc? Any info appreciated. Thanks.

cc_rollin · April 2008

Looking at 2004 XC90 2.5L. 37.3K Miles. 3rd row seats. New Tires, certified warranty. Asking $22.9. Is this a good deal? Some of my other concerns are the brakes and tires...seems like there is something fishy with premature replacement?? Also, do you have to put premium gas in this auto? Thanks for your help!

qbrozen · April 2008

You do not HAVE to put in premium. It is suggested by volvo, but not required. It will run fine on regular.

Is this a volvo certified vehicle?

If so, that does add to the price.

This also explains the replacement of brakes and tires. The car MAY not have necessarily needed it, by all reasonable measures, but the volvo certification process (as has been explained to me by salespeople here on Edmunds) requires replacement of these things when they may still have substantial life left in them. I don't know the exact figures, but let's say they have 40% life left in them ... certification still requires they be replaced.

I'll assume it has leather and moonroof (which I think it must in order to have 3rd row). Without AWD, wholesale is about $16k. $17,700 with AWD. That is NJ prices. Could vary slightly depending on where you live.

So, for a CPO from a volvo dealer, I'd be looking to pay around $18,500-$19,500 for 2wd and $20,000-$21,000 for AWD.

cc_rollin · April 2008

Yes it does have leather and moonroof, and it has extended warranty up 100K or 6 years, March 2011. Sorry forgot to mention it. Sounds like the $22.9 they are asking could be high? And by the way...could you please tell me what CPO stands for? Thanks. I am in the Texas area

stever · April 2008

Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle.

I guess CU(sed)V was taken by the crossover crowd.

Certified Cars will tell you the TMV price if you drill down to the XC90.

qbrozen · April 2008

Well, you would never pay asking price. They know that. So, yeah, they've padded it a bit. honestly, though, that's a GOOD asking price. What I mean by that is, in my area, folks are asking $6k+ over wholesale on these, and that's without warranty. On the one I bought, I had to get them to come down $4k from their asking price. I never thought they would do it, but they did. Your challenge is much easier.

Of course, i'm still assuming AWD. You keep leaving that part out.

gleen6191 · April 2008

I will sell you my 2005 Volvo XC-90 for $23k...it has 43k miles on it and new tires and front brakes.

Gerry

qbrozen · April 2008

Heck, I'd sell my '05 with 24k miles for that. ;b
Just paid $22k 2 weeks ago.

kylechoffman · April 2008

ha - Im trying to sell my 2006 awd 2.5t with 23k on it (premium, vers, BT) new tires and brakes - gas prices are killing my sale

gleen6191 · April 2008

you will have to trade it in bro. get the new car at least $2,000 below invoice to offset the trade in rice.

qbrozen · April 2008

Depending on where you live, if you get a tax break on trade-ins, you'd probably get more trading than selling privately anyway.

samib · October 2008

Need your advice before I purchase a certified pre-owned 2006 Volvo XC90 with 20,000 miles.

It has leather interior, sun roof, power passenger side, premium package, and 3rd row. Comes with 3 year or 100,000 mile warranty as well. It does not have navigation or DVD headrests. It is certified and was bought at auction for $21,000 (we researched this, they didn't tell us!).

Is $25,000 way too high? The original price was $26,500 and we negotiated down to $25,000. They explained the $4K difference in cost as the fee to certify as pre-owned and the cost of the auction, etc. Is this BS? Should we get it for $21K?

At first $25K seemed good, but the more I read, the more I think it might still be too high. At this point, if it is too high, what are the magic words to get them to come down to a more realistic and competitive price? If is IS a good deal, tell me so I can jump on it. Thanks!

qbrozen · October 2008

$25k is spot on, IMHO.
It does cost money to certify and provide the warranty. And it ain't cheap. After fees, transport, and certification, they may be making $1k on the deal, which is pretty slim for a used car. So $25k is a fair deal.

Should we get it for $21K?

unless something is wrong with a car, you would not be able to purchase for auction value. Dealer has to stay in business somehow.

leejp · October 2008

I'm considering the purchase of a Certified XC90. 05~06 are at attractive prices and I could use a 7 passenger vehicle with decent gas mileage.

What are the gotchas?

Is the 100K/6yr warranty bumper/bumper? Any hassles?

I understand the Volvo Certification process replaces the Tires, Brakes and potentially other wear items (air filter? cabin filter?...). Is this universally true?

Most of the XC90s I'm looking at are ~20-40K mike range. What are the high $$$ scheduled maintenance checkpoints?

Do all minor service (oil + filter changes..)... have to be done at the dealer to avoid voiding the warranty?

Honest, hard working dealers deserve to stay in business and make a fair profit off of me. Thanks in advance...

qbrozen · October 2008

The biggest "gotcha" is the T6 model. Avoid it at all costs!

As to maintenance costs, I believe the 30k service is ~$400. However, at least on my '05, it was complimentary. Free service up to 30k.

Do all services have to be done at the dealer? Not necessarily. But, you better be prepared with detailed receipts if something should go wrong. Personally, I take my vehicles to the dealer while under warranty to avoid any complications. BUT, I only follow the recommended maintenance in the owner's manual, NOT the dealer's recommended schedule.

lka1224 · October 2008

Little help please

2006 Ocean Race Edition
CPO
16,500 miles
Nav + Moonroof + some other goodies

Dealer final offer = $28,000

Dear or no deal?

qbrozen · October 2008

Off the top of my head, it seems high. But I believe the Ocean Race models may be in the own world when it comes to values. And I believe they only came loaded (premium [that's your moonroof and leather], versatility [3rd row], cold weather [seat heaters]), with maybe Nav as the only option.

So my best suggestion is to head on over to the Real-world trade-in values board, and ask volvomax what its worth on a trade. For CPO, if you can get the dealer down to $4k over trade value, you are doing fine.

lka1224 · November 2008

thank you, will do!

qbrozen · November 2008

I saw your post and his reply. So, to me, it sounds like $26k would be a decent goal to shoot for.

momof9803 · November 2008

I am looking to buy xc 90 its down to two;
Do I buy the 2006 2.5t l5 awd 17,000 miles certified at $ 26,995
has prem. package, climate pkg. and versitillity pkg. dvds OR the 2007
3.2 L with 20,000 miles thru a independent guy for $23,900 same options excluding climate pkge. also has dvd with 18 in wheels, i can always purchase volvos extended warranty for $3800. So they will cost about the same. Which is the better car????????? I have not neg. yet Help I think this processes is mind nubbbing.

pinkydog · November 2008

I think, the 2007 XC90 3.2 is a better buy. Is it also an AWD? I have a 2008 XC90 3.2 also, so I'm biased and I know little about the 2.5 version. Maybe 2.5 owners can give you an their input also.

qbrozen · November 2008

Well, if all else is equal, getting an '07 for the same price as an '06 should be a no-brainer.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a warranty for $3800, though. Since it is an '07, you'd still have quite a bit of factory warranty remaining.

lmulcahy · November 2008

I am looking to buy a FWD 2006 xc90 with 25,000 miles on it or a 2007 with the same amount of miles but it has the 3.2 FWD. Which would be a better SUV? Has anyone had problems with the FWD's? I have never owned a Volvo but they seem like a pretty good car. The top priority is most reliable, but don't want one without any power either. Thanks!

qbrozen · November 2008

Well, you'll get some differing opinions here. You really should drive both and decide which engine you prefer and if the added price of the '07 is worth it to you.

I can't speak to the longevity of the 3.2, but I've heard good things. The 2.5T is a proven and trusted engine from Volvo.

lka1224 · November 2008

Got an XC90 Ocean Race 2006 V8 AWD

15k miles
Xenon
Nav
Climate
Versatility
Few others
CPO
$28,750 + tax&fees

They bought my current lease at > $3k market value. Wife and I are happy so far

Hope gas stays fairly decent...

chongli · November 2008

After looking around for a month or so and watching some used prices drop I am close to buying either an '06 2.5T or a '07 3.2. It seems the dealers have mixed stock and some posted pricing have wide ranges for similar vehicles.

The close ones I have seen: I just drove an '06 2.5T 28k loaded except for the DVD & Nav (had the folding mirrors & backup sensor). Dealer asking $25.5 CPO (just got 2 similar in stock this week). I have seen '07's online (in the past 2 days) from another local dealer for $25-27 CPO, not as loaded but have the premium & 3 row at a minimum. Similar miles.

Any thought's on if the lower pricing on some of these '07's will push the '06 down a little more? If the dealer really got the 2x '06 this past week then there should be a little room to play with. They offered $500 off from the $25.5k but I wasn't going to deal not knowing some '07's were going to be in a similar price range.

Any thoughts from others who are looking in this range...??

Thanks...

momof9803 · November 2008

This week iam picking up a 07 3.2 21,000 miles prem, climate, versit. certifed for $26,500 all but the tvs and sensors I think that pretty good GOOD LUCK! I have noticed too that prices are all over the place! I know they are all desperate!

towncar1 · November 2008

2008 XC 90 loaded for sale in Florida
2wd, 7 pass, roof leather, 24k Miles make an offer still under warranty, no accidents, in Ft Lauderdale area :P

skylab · November 2008

Seems like there are a ton of '07s around right now in the NE. A local lot has about a dozen starting at under $20K for low mileage five-seaters. If I didn't already have one, I'd be buying one! :P

qbrozen · November 2008

Oh, what the hell. I'll bite. Let's take it 1 step at a time.

2008 XC 90 loaded
.. loaded? You sure about that? Nav? DVD?

2wd
.. 2wd?? You said it was "loaded." Now we're "loaded except AWD."

roof leather
.. roof leather? Was that factory or aftermarket? I'd like some roof leather. Send me some pics, will ya?

make an offer still under warranty
I offer $100 site unseen. But my offer is by no means under warranty.

;P yerself

chongli · November 2008

2007 3.2's for under $20k are you sure...?

skylab · November 2008

Yup. I saw another '07 3.2 with premium and 28K miles in the paper just today for $19,950. I guess the 5-seaters are a tough sell.

iontrap · November 2008

How does $21500 plus ttl sound for a 2006 2.5T AWD w/36k?

skylab · November 2008

Unless it's certified, or absolutely loaded with options, that seems expensive. Cars.com shows dozens of 2007s with less miles for less money.

pasuk · November 2008

I have been in the market for a AWD or 4WD vehicle for some time now. Looking for a large vehicle for kids/dogs that I can be happy with for many years.

I am considering the purchase of a used XC90 with approx 20,000 miles. I am worried about some of the posts I have seen re: reliability. I have also considered an '08 Toyota Highlander gently used or new if I can get out the door with a rock bottom price.

Thoughts??

qbrozen · November 2008

I can find you negative posts about Highlanders, too.
Think about it, how many folks do you know seek out a forum on the internet just to say they are having no problems with their vehicle?
All you need to do is stay away from the T6 model and you'll be fine.

pasuk · November 2008

Very true. What are your feelings on depeciation of both vehicles?

qbrozen · November 2008

SUVs are taking a beating in general. But, I'd think that Toyotas are still depreciating less than Volvos. However, as long as you are buying used, that makes the Volvo a better deal in my opinion. More vehicle for the same money, as it were. Test drive them back to back and I think you'll agree.

skylab · November 2008

As an owner of an 05 XC90, which has had no mechanical issues so far, I agree. Used values on these are very attractive, particularly in the NorthEast where there is a lot of inventory after people panic-dumped their SUVs during the recent oil price spike.

Stay away from the T6 and just be aware that XC90s are hard on tires and wheel bearings because of their weight. This is, of course, a trade-off with the extensive (and heavy) safety features like the reinforced roof/roll cage and personally I'd rather be alive than get 6,000 more miles on my Michelins.

qbrozen · November 2008

I think the tires has to do with alignment and bearings. Our tires are holding up very well so far. Several folks I've heard from say they were going through tires until getting a good alignment done.

The XC90 isn't much heavier than most mid-sized SUVs. About the same as our previous Pacifica and only a couple hundred pounds more than the Pilot we had before that.

irishcasey · November 2008

I'm considering buying this model from dealer. It is Volvo Certified, has 40K miles. Does NOT have leather, heated seats, sunroof, seven passenger seating. Also it is a 2 wheel drive model.
Dealer wants $18,800.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Also has this model had the transmission problems (I think those were primarily on the T6 models).

Volvo XC90 Buying Used

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