Is this 2010 Volvo XC90 a good deal?
Hi there,
Looking to buy a 2010 Volvo XC90 with 130k on the clock. There’s a full service history. Cambelt was changed at 100k miles. It seems most of the mileage was highway miles. Price is €12k. Is it possible to bring the car to a Volvo dealer to get checked out? Good deal or bad deal?
Wendy B (Dublin)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Wendy,
Electrical issues with the Volvo S60?
I am considering buying a second hand Volvo S60, approx year 2014. I've heard negative remarks about the electrics and that issues are expensive to repair. Would electrical issues be common?
David Heffernan (Dublin)May 2018 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi David,
Which of these 2010 SUVs to go for?
Hi,
What would you choose betweeen 2010 Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 and Land Rover Discovery? Reliability; safety; and family functionality are the main criteria. I know all would have high running and service costs in particular the Disco and Q7. Image isn't important to me! I have 16, 15 and 6-year-olds and new baby soon, and a nutcase of a labrador havs to be accomodated!
Many thanks
Justin McElwee (Galway)Feb 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Justin,
If reliability is a key factor, then leave out the Land Rover. We love the Discovery to bits, but they just have a poor reputation for reliability. Of the other two, the Audi would likely be the most reliable overall, but we have a big soft spot for the XC90, which isn’t far behind on reliability and has the edge when it comes to safety, plus there’s a little more room in the third-row seats. Make sure it comes with a full service history, and if it’s a four-wheel-drive model, get it checked to make sure that the clutch that controls the system hasn’t burned out.
Looking for a large family car...
I'm looking for a family car and have two children under three.
I've had coupes (currently in an Audi A5) all my life so ideally I'd like to switch it up and get an SUV. I'm at a loss of what to get - I'd love the Volvo XC90 and can afford it, but the pragmatic side of me is telling me not waste a huge amount of money on a depreciating asset like that, no matter how great it is.
On the other end of the scale I think the Hyundai Santa Fe is a great looking car, but I can't stand the plasticky feeling of the interior and the ugly interior layout. Do you have any recommendations that would allow me to keep the luxury feel of my Audi, but not cost the earth like the Volvo?
Or... do I just compromise and get a 3-4-year-old Audi A6 Avant estate?
Rich K (Dublin)Feb 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Rich,
OK, there’s a lot to unpick here. First of all, any car you buy (other than perhaps a classic Mercedes SL or an old Ferrari) will be a depreciating asset, so there’s not much point in thinking that buying one car over another will save you from that. Obviously some cars depreciate a bit less than others, but they do all depreciate in the end.
The XC90 is a cracking car, a really good one, but as you rightly point out it’s big and expensive, and if you’ve only got the two kids, you probably don’t really need the seven seats. The Santa Fe is an excellent car, reliable and hard-wearing, but you’re quite right that the cabin can be a bit low-rent at times. It might be worth having a look at the Kia Sorento — mechanically identical to the Santa Fe, but a touch roomier and we prefer the Kia’s interior. Also well worth having a look at slightly smaller seven-seat SUV rivals such as the Peugeot 5008, Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace and Skoda Kodiaq, all of which have genuinely excellent interiors and are good to drive too.
Mind you, once again, you’re right — you don’t need an SUV (no-one really does, but that’s a debate for another day) so actually the idea of an Audi A6 Avant estate is a really good one. You already like Audis, they’re great for quality and reliability and look awesome into the bargain, and have plenty of space for two growing kids. Worth looking at a BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate too (the BMW’s a little better to drive, the Mercedes is bigger inside) and well worth checking out the gorgeous new Volvo V90 if the XC90 has taken your fancy. Here are all our reviews of the above cars to help you decide:
Where to get my Volvo S60's gearbox done?
Just found out my 2012 Volvo S60 needs a new gearbox. Will I be at a loss if I use an independent garage rather than a main dealer when I come to sell it?
Dylan Poole (Kildare)Feb 2018 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Dylan,
Not especially. It depends on the garage you’re using, whether or not they are recognised as an independent Volvo expert and how good the quality of the work is. As long as you keep all the receipts and records of the work done, and you’re up front about it come trade-in time, I wouldn’t think it would make a huge difference. A good independent garage should be fine.
How much VRT on this 2008 Volvo V70?
Hi, James here from Dublin,
Can you tell me how much VRT I'd have to pay on importing a 2008 Volvo V70 3.0 T6 AWD Auto? Mileage 105,000 miles.
James Nolan (Dublin 24)Jan 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi James,
A tricky one, because that precise model doesn’t appear on the Revenue’s quick-estimate list, and good luck finding one for sale in Ireland to get a representative OMSP valuation. As a rough guess, I would say somewhere between €1,000 and €1,200, but a lot will depend on condition, equipment and history.
Which models is Volvo Pilot Assist on?
Is Volvo Pilot Assist only available in the "90" series cars (XC90, etc)? They are the only ones I see where it's available on the Volvo website.
Thanks Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Jan 2018 Filed under: safety
How much to tax a 2007 Volvo S60R?
Hello, can you please give me advice on how much is car tax on a 2007 Volvo S60R?
James Nolan (Dublin 24)Jan 2018 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi James,
The R version of the S60, the high-performance model, used a 2.5-litre turbo engine and, as it’s pre-2008, it’s on the old engine capacity tax system so that’s going to be €1,080 for a year's tax.
Read our Motor Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for more
Is the Volvo XC90 a good family buy?
Hi lads,
I've 16, 15 and 5 year olds and another one on the way. I have a Volvo S80, but will need to change. I don't like MPVs as the rear seats are too close to the back of the vehicle so if you have a tip I'd be worried about the back two. I saw a 2010 Volvo XC90 the last day in a car park and it had two child seats in the back, two in the middle and a 15-year-old by the window and the two parents. I asked them what did they think of it. They said they had a Discovery before but found the Volvo more family oriented, safe and reliable. Would you agree? What else would you consider?
Oh, I've a daft labrador as well that would have to go in the boot!
Thanks
Justin McElwee (Galway)Jan 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Justin,
The old-shape XC90 is definitely a good choice and yes they’re reliable (as long as you get one with a full service history and keep it looked after properly). They can be a little expensive to run, though, with big thirsty engines and high motor tax rates. It would definitely be worth considering the likes of a SEAT Alhambra or Ford S-Max as well, if you’re looking for lots of seats and space, or even a Volkswagen Caravelle or Shuttle if you want the absolute maximum in terms of seats and cargo room. Definitely room for the labrador in one of those, even if you don't like the look of the MPVs...
Should we chop in our costly Volvo?
I own a 2009 Volvo V70 flexifuel. We love the car. We have two children and it is perfect for us. It is roomy, reliable and safe. We plan to buy a caravan so it will be suitable for towing. The only downsides are it costs €1,200 per year to tax, it is relatively heavy on fuel, it has a low service interval (10,000km) and the timing belt is due.
Should we cut our losses and trade it in for a diesel? We previously owned a diesel Mazda5 that gave us a lot of problems with the DPF, thus our aversion to diesel. We will be doing small mileage with long runs during the summer holidays (maybe towing a caravan). Am I being irrational in avoiding diesels because of the DPF issue? Currently I am spending €100 a month on road tax so I would be prepared to spend €200 a month on a vehicle if I was to change.
Your advice would be appreciated
Ray
Ray Mehigan (Limerick)Nov 2017 Filed under: running costs
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
To be honest, it sounds to me as if you should just stick with it. I appreciate that it’s not much fun spending €1,200 a year on motor tax, and that the service interval is a bit short, but if you’re only doing short mileages with the occasional long trip, then you’re just going to be throwing money at trading up to a car you don’t really need.
DPF issues are never far away from a diesel car if you’re only doing low mileage, but the biggest issue is going to be the cost of change. A budget of €200 a month isn’t going to get you very much, to be honest, so I would just do the work your Volvo needs and stick with it.