I can't quite believe I have done this....
It's not the fact that I have bought a car blind (I did that with the Outback and I was very happy) but that I have actually swapped the Outback for a Volvo XC90 D5 SE.
Last weekend was a bit of a last straw moment. We went out with the children and a friend or two and had to take both cars. A bit silly, especially as the destinations were only two or three miles away. However SWMBO had been complaining almost since I bought the car that there was very little legroom in the back seat and it was more comfortable to go out five handed in the A-class than my car, the children are getting bigger and I need a car capable of taking five of us with luggage or seven people in relative comfort.
So we gave the matter a lot of thought. We knew that we wanted a seven seater and as it was going to be my car, my wife decided I was not going to drive an MPV but a 4x4 as it suited her image of me better [sigh]!. Actually I was very happy with that decision, but it left a conundrum. I don't wan't an Audi Q7 (ugly and too expensive), I can't afford a seven seat BMW X5 (do they make them?), the Mercedes ML did do a seven seat model in the Mk1 version but it was a dog to drive and I will not have a Jeep under any circumstances. That left talking either Japanese or Volvo. The Japanese (Shogun, Landcruiser, Navarra etc) were good value but after an Outback rather basic inside, slow and uneconomical and I wanted the appeal of a comfortable car. So Volvo it was. There are a lot for sale, but I really want in-built SatNav and the Winter Pack so it reduced my choice somewhat.
Eventually I found what appears to be the ideal car. I decided that I would be better off looking for a young high mileage specimen rather than a five year old school run car. I found, at a Volvo dealer, a 78,000 miles D5 example that is not yet three years old (it will be in March). With all the kit I want and nothing I don't need. The beauty is that the dealer selling it, sold it to the owner, serviced it from new and have just sold him another XC90 - his third. So he obviously has had good service and with my paltry 9,000 miles pa, I won't be putting too much extra stress on what I assume is a well run in engine.
Price - well I could have bought a two year older slightly higher spec car with less miles for more than I paid and I got a decent price for the Outback. I will be sorry to see it go.
My only dilemma is the Comms Pack. I need to insert the SIM card into the car to make the phone work. This is a bit of a pain. I thought about getting a second number and diverting all calls form one to the other (its free on my mobile account) but can't quite work out how to make it work efficiently. Any ideas?
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Can't you just bluetooth the phone to the comms pack? That's what I've done with the nav system on the new Citroen C5 and it works a treat. Phone contacts etc come up on the nav screen and the phone makes calls from the steering wheel buttons.
BTW good vehicle choice... would be mine if faced with a similar choice of that vs MPV vs big 4x4.
Edited by M.M on 21/01/2010 at 20:20
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Vodafone used to do a dual sim card if you asked them, specifically for this. They don't anymore, but will now offer you a free PAYG sim instead... not the best but it works.
Set mobile to divert on ringing out or call reject to the car SIM's number (no point diverting other cases -- out of signal etc.) Set the car SIM to divert all calls to normal mobile (circular dependency but this is currently working for me, the car's divert goes to the mobile's voicemail). The last bit means that if you hit reject while the car's ignition is off, caller will almost immediately hit mobile's (not cars) voicemail.
Alternatively you can get one of the personal number services, google them but you can configure them to the nth degree, e.g. "if it's a tuesday morning and there's no answer on my house phone within 10 secs divert to 2nd house line in garage, if no answer after 15 secs divert to mobile..." yada yada.
Edited by CraigP on 21/01/2010 at 20:21
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Thanks. No bluetooth on the car, so will use Craig's method unless anyone has a better idea!
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Craig's method is what is recommended if just using the Comms pack on the VOC site:
tinyurl.com/yhenv62
Some recommend an aftermarket Bluetooth kit instead.
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Set mobile to divert on ringing out or call reject to the car SIM's number (no point diverting other cases -- out of signal etc.)
I do this kind of thing in my car but I don't think you can divert on call reject - I tried and it doesn't work. It will divert if off or if rings and you don't answer.
If you know how to divert on call reject on Voda them please let me know!
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Congratulations ! Hope you enjoy the car.
Some people think the D5 a bit unrefined but I think it's a great engine.
Have you had it on some wet grass yet to check the AWD out ?
Edited by gmac on 21/01/2010 at 20:24
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Have you had it on some wet grass yet to check the AWD out ?
s6.photobucket.com/albums/y246/smartiesx3/?action=...v
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At least the 2WD Volvo will be more fuel efficient ;-)
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That's why I suggested the wet grass test.
Volvo won't pay out as it's over 60k miles but the supplying dealer will take care of it should there be a problem.
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has the cam belt and tensioners been changed?
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May I ask what you paid for it. New ones are currently 30% off because of the lack of new fuel-efficient engine and intro of XC60
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the D5s are well known for eating cambelt tensioners, might be worth having the belt done at that sort of mileage, if not already been done.
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Questions questions!
£18,000 - gave me good trade in for the OuUtback as well considering they are not wanted. I got offered the same figure against a £14,900 Tribeca which has no more room than the Outback and is even less desirable. Spoke to several dealers today with XC90s and in almost every case, the car I wanted was sold. One guy said they were flying out second hand. Much better value that other large 4x4s and probably the best 4x4 after the Q7 but less imposing and cheaper to buy. My biggest annoyance is that I missed an 06 reg 52,000 SE Lux with Bi-Xenons and a few other bits for a few hundred pounds more. But I reckon there is a significant value difference between an 06 and 07 in my favour.
I know about cambelt tensioner and will consider at next service. Cousin is Volvo independent service agent.
I reckon if a car has done 78,000 miles in 2 years and 10 months and with a full history, it can't be that bad. Comes with 12 month Volvo approved warranty as well.
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I know about cambelt tensioner and will consider at next service. Cousin is Volvo independent service agent.
I wouldn't worry too much about the tensioners (there are two). It's usually the low mileage cars which suffer the problem.
You're laughing with regard to servicing and maintenance if you have family who can do it for you.
Didn't mean to rain on your parade above regarding the AWD system but better to get it checked out now when the dealer will respond than next winter when you need it.
Best of luck with your new purchase.
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I wouldn't worry too much about the tensioners (there are two). It's usually the low mileage cars which suffer the problem.
That's an interesting comment. I'd like to know more about this. Are you Volvo tech or do you have any other source of knowledge on this (not being provocotive, I genuinely would like some more info, we see a decent number of D5's and out local agent is uncooperative on the sharing of technical info).
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Is this the first recorded instance of BR member getting rid of a Subaru?
Espada, how could you?
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Espada how could you?
Yeah, shame on you!!
:o)
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Good luck with it Espada.
The XC90 crossed my mind looking at your previous thread (Tribeca v. S-Max), but seemed in a different price category. But if you're prepared to go for a high-mileage example it makes perfect sense.
Buying a used car that's been replaced by another of the same make is usually a good move too.
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The Volvo is certainly a BIG SLEDGE - of course Espada knows lots about sledging - 12 months ago the Outback could not resist a slide - despite 4WD/ESP/ABS
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>>4WD/ESP/ABS<<
None of which have any bearing on the friction between the tread of your tyres and ice.
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>>4WD/ESP/ABS<< None of which have any bearing on the friction between the tread of your tyres and ice.
I understand the Laws of Physics takes precedence over human ingenuity/engineering
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I apologise profusely the Subaru supporters in the Backroom (in which camp I intend to remain) but regretfully the growing family made a change inevitable. I suppose I could have waited a few months, but I got the feeling that it was the right time.
I will really miss the Outback, its effortless performance, smooth boxer engine and overall sophistication and I know that the XC90 is not a patch in terms of driving quality, but its pretty good and the low down torque will calm me down rather than me reaching for 7,000rpm. There is nothing better in the Outback than getting up to very high revs in Tiptronic mode and listening to a banshee wail of a flat six!
The deal I have done is OK. A private Volvo dealer offered me more money for the Outback but against a more expensive car which was older but with more kit.
Anyway I get it the middle of next week and have decided to re-fit my Parrot into the XC90 rather than fiddle with the in-car system.
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>>growing family made a change inevitable<<
You could have sold one of them to slavery and got yourself some nice new alloys. Just not thought this through have you......
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G,
Good choice of car I think. The Q7 is simply hideous so well avoided :-) No mention of a Disco in the choices?
You've not said, but I think the law says that XC90s must be dark blue?!
Enjoy the car, good engine the D5 and I'm sure it'll make trips out a lot easier with the whole clan.
All the best
Lee
Edited by Citroënian {P} on 22/01/2010 at 13:24
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The contact hire supplier of my new C5 is currently supplying twenty times as many XC90s as Mondeo Estates.... and twice as many XC90s as Fiestas! They must be popular at current values/costs.
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Ref. the XC90 popularity on contracts...
If anyone's interested in the spread of contract vehicles by type with a typical supplier look at ...
www.lingscars.com/customers.php
It's a real time display and quite fascinating as to what's popular currently. Equally interesting is the page with real time customer profiles for those currently in the order process...
www.lingscars.com/feature/customer_stats.php
What's so unnerving is that I fit pretty well every one of the max percentage profiles.
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Looked at Discos but reliability and the plastic cliff face of the dashboard put me off.
My car is a smart silver. The best colour is a metallic dark grey but they are like hens teeth.
Edited by Espada III {P} on 22/01/2010 at 14:12
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...My car is a smart silver. The best colour is a metallic dark grey but they are like hens teeth...
Chin up, Espada, at least silver is easy to look after.
I'd forgotten who difficult dark cars can be, until I bought the dark blue CC3.
Good luck with the car.
Sounds like a nice, straight one.
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Shame on you Espada for not replacing like with like....
and by the way, I have just had an offer accepted on a private sale 330Ci convertible...hangs head in shame and shuffles off uncomfortably.....
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Oh No - the back room will be devoid of Subarus shortly!
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I would dearly love an XC90 myself, but the huge purchase cost (vs very similar V70, for example) puts me off. That and the fact that some after-market warranty companies won't cover the XC90, although strangely the rest of the range is generally fine.
Still might have one if lady fortune comes my way... :)
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Congratulations on the new car - but......
....I'm puzzled why you didn't take a Chevrolet Captiva for a spin.
We paid just over 16K for our 09 spec 7 seater (in late 08) and I think that similar, or even better, deals are available now. That also included 3 years/60,000 mile servicing, and the 3 year warranty.
After 20K troublefree miles I can thoroughly recommend it - the rearmost seats are big enough for an adult (just) and more than adequate for kids - while the centre seats have acres of space and legroom.
The 4WD system coped very well in the recent snow, and the interior is holding up well to family use.
No 'status', of course ;) - but a good, smooth powerful towcar (with handy bits & bobs like self-levelling rear suspension) with a cast iron warranty and *reasonable* economy (37 mpg 2.0 Diesel)
I have to say that I, personally, wouldn't have been tempted by the Volvo - particulalry at nearly 2K more - but everyone's different, and I wish you many trouble free miles with your purchase.
For anyone else in the same boat - why not at least take a look at the Captiva's?, nothing to lose, and maybe quite a bit to gain.
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I used to have a Range Rover which I loved, if I were to buy a similar car I think the XC90 would be at the top of my list - dunno why I just like 'em!
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I used to have a Range Rover which I loved if I were to buy a similar car I think the XC90 would be at the top of my list - dunno why I just like 'em!
There's something comforting about cars that look as if they've just arrived from 1977? ;)
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OK I've had the Volvo two days. Its OK but I'm not totally convinced. To me it drives like a truck. When cold in the morning it is sluggish, the whole car feels coated in treacle including the steering. Are they all like this or am I simply comparing apples with pears? I recall a friends Range Rover Sport being heavy but not quite as heavy or noisy.
So lets say I am prepared to drop a couple of grand to get something better - what is there that is better with seven seats, a decent amount of room, at least 21mpg urban, automatic and preferrably with lots of toys (sat nav is pretty important)? I don't want to spend more than say £22,500?
My only thoughts at the moment are the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Kia Sorento both of which need to be the new model and are £25,000 and £29,000 respectively.
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No no no Espada. Lateral thinking required here. Convince Espadrille she needs the Volvo. Then have a WRX or something for you........
;-)
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Look into chipping/tuning the Volvo on the basis the thousands you will save by not changing cars can be thrown at it if anything goes wrong.
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My BIL chopped in his 5 series for a new Nissan Pathfinder for reasons similar to yours Espada re 7 seats and because ( I'll whisper this bit for the sensitive ) he has gone and bought a large caravan..... I know I know....anyway, leaving that aside, he was a bit disappoointed in it and had it chipped. Transformed apparently. Not sure I'd be bothered to do it but he's pleased with it now.
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Sshhhh Pug, I was trying to keep that bit quiet. He does have a Fireblade as a kind of antidote in mitigation. Still quite a worry for the family though.
:-(
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Well a Honda CRV diesel auto - give you a good 40mpg that, loads of room and as comfortable as anything, well made, low emissions and two wheel drive most of the time.
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Did you rule out the S-Max altogether Espada? If the problem with the XC90 is that it's truck-like, you might find the same with the Korean options.
Also as Fords drop a lot of value in their first year (particularly, I'd imagins, the petrol 2.5T), you might get a nearly-new bargain within budget.
Maybe you need to get a test-drive and take Espadrille with you - hopefully a longer one than you can have had with the Volvo!
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The XC90 is a big old beast, Clarkson's biggest gripe (as an owner) is it's lack of performance. I had a 3.2 petrol version for a year and found it a nice cruiser but it huffed and puffed a bit when accelerating. Guess the V8 is the one to choose ;-)
Surely those 2010 Kia Sorrentos and Hyundai Santa Fes with the new 2.2 diesel can be found within your budget (ex-demo cars)? I'm seriously thinking of a new Santa Fe when the current X3 hits big bills (or when I can no longer tolerate the bone-jarring ride)!
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Yes i think there are just three options: -
Chip the Volvo
Hyundai/Kia 4x4
S-Max
Espadrille thinks the S-max is too girly as there are loads at school. Mind you we know at least 12 women driving XC90s sho that argument is a bit weak on her part! My accountant looks down his nose at the Korean choices and I prefer fitted in SatNav rather than SmartNav thingy they fit to the top of the line models.
Any idea who chips Volvos? Must admit its a very comfortable car and the family really like it.
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Be interesting to hear your opinion after test driving (properly) a new Sorrento.
Had a shock yesterday, SWMBO expressed interest in the new Sorrento she would actually consider replacing the Hilux with one...thats a first and i haven't yet recovered.
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Don't worry too much GB. If she starts cooking vegetarian meals and doing yoga as well you might have to get her some help but I'd not be too concerned yet. Worth keeping an eye on though.
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If she starts cooking vegetarian meals and doing yoga aswell you might have to get her some help
She does seem better thismorning, thinks the pick up is far too good to let go, the virtues of a separate huge boot with tailboard and simple no nonsense controls and mechanicals....phew.
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There are three main reputable suppliers of remaps for the D5, namely Rica, BSR and MTE. Of those, I believe MTE would be the most suitable for your needs. I suggest having a read of the forums on T5D5.org where the various merits and disadvantages of each map are discussed in greater detail.
Regards, Neil
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isnt there another option-the Chevrolet Captiva? A neighbour has one and it seems really rather good at everything. It coped really well with the heavy snow and he tells me it averages about 35mpg. 7 seater too. I quite like it, if I was after that kind of thing.
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Problem with Chevrolet is that I don't trust em. I know they are Korean, but I think way behind the times compared to the Hyundai/Kia twins.
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Espada said ... **Must admit its a very comfortable car and the family really like it**
Even before you posted the above comment I was going to say give the Volvo a bit longer and see if you settle to its different character. Most cars are something of a compromise and the Volvo has many positives... it's not as if you are having to put up with a 1976 Transit crew bus.
A few years back we ran an early series Discovery for a couple of years. Possibly the slowest and most lumbering vehicle we've run in the last 20yrs but brilliant family transport and missed by all for the many things we did like about it. I bet your XC90 is a couple of grades more car like than that was!
Edited by M.M on 31/01/2010 at 12:42
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You 'don't trust the Captiva'?
An odd thing for you to say, since you've just dropped considerably more than the street price of a 7 seat Cappie on a high mileage Volvo that you are now thinking of selling!
Perhaps it would be best to give those instincts of yours a miss during your next purchasing foray?
I cam only repeat that after 20K miles, I have found the Captiva an excellent family car, a first rate caravan tow car - and, perhaps most importantly, a 100% reliable car.
For £16,000 (haggle price) with 7 seats, 3 year warranty, and a 60,000 mile service package chucked in, I'm more than happy.
I certainly 'trust' it!
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