Early model Volvo XC90, reliable?

[akboss]

As I have posted before I'm looking for a new vehicle for my wife. Kids might become a reality in a few years, but we are tight on cash and want a tall(ish) vehicle with a hatch that has 1) good reliability 2) affordable insurance and 3) reasonable gas mileage.

After looking up our profile on some insurance comparisons sites, apparently our best rates come from a 2004/5 Vovlo XC90, a Saturn Vue, or a Hyundai Santa Fe FWD GLS. For a price of about $13K, an XC90 would have to be a 2004 (maybe '05) model with 100K+ Kms, whereas a Saturn Vue might be a 2006 or 2007 model for the same money, a Santa Fe would be somewhere in the middle.

My question would be am I going to be shelling out more in repair costs to get an older Volvo, or is the better build quality and higher quality materials worth going for an older vehicle? Shpuker, I know you don't like Volvo's, but be objective - put yourself in my shoes. Older, better vehicle or newer, lesser vehicle?

If we wanted to get brand-new we could probably lease/finance a Jeep Patriot or Kia Soul, but the insurance premiums would be an extra $1000/year. It's something most people don't think about when they buy a new car but if you get the wrong vehicle, it can add a 20% increase to your buying cost...

Cheers,
Ak.

[akboss]

Nobody owns an XC90? Come on! Autotrader is littered with postings! Stories, stories!

[Shpuker]

Originally Posted by akboss

As I have posted before I'm looking for a new vehicle for my wife. Kids might become a reality in a few years, but we are tight on cash and want a tall(ish) vehicle with a hatch that has 1) good reliability 2) affordable insurance and 3) reasonable gas mileage.

After looking up our profile on some insurance comparisons sites, apparently our best rates come from a 2004/5 Vovlo XC90, a Saturn Vue, or a Hyundai Santa Fe FWD GLS. For a price of about $13K, an XC90 would have to be a 2004 (maybe '05) model with 100K+ Kms, whereas a Saturn Vue might be a 2006 or 2007 model for the same money, a Santa Fe would be somewhere in the middle.

My question would be am I going to be shelling out more in repair costs to get an older Volvo, or is the better build quality and higher quality materials worth going for an older vehicle? Shpuker, I know you don't like Volvo's, but be objective - put yourself in my shoes. Older, better vehicle or newer, lesser vehicle?

If we wanted to get brand-new we could probably lease/finance a Jeep Patriot or Kia Soul, but the insurance premiums would be an extra $1000/year. It's something most people don't think about when they buy a new car but if you get the wrong vehicle, it can add a 20% increase to your buying cost...

Cheers,
Ak.

lol you know me too well.

I'd have to say either an older model BMW or a 2004-2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I'm personally not a fan of the Patriot. As far as Kia and the Saturn Vue....... thats gona be a no from this corner.

The Sante Fe is a big ole MEH. and the XC90 is decent I spose. semi-reliable. Better options though. (hell the A4 would be a step up)

[akboss]

I'd say the same, but the ride isn't high enough - we want something at knee-height so putting kids and stuff inside isn't difficult. So basically the most emasculated vehicle you can imagine - dammit, who says kids can't go in the back of a WRX!

[Shpuker]

The ride in a Grand Cherokee is plenty high up