Volvo XC90 2008-2010 -Experience with this vehicle?

[cbond3318]

Any one own currently or previously the Volvo XC90 specifically the 3.2 V6 AWD? At initial search it looks to have everything we like about our Jeep Grand Cherokee plus 3rd row seating plus.

Our small family is looking to upgrade from the Jeep but will not finance a new vehicle. Any experience with other vehicles in this class is appreciated as well.

[Woodchuck]

Nothing horrible comes to mind. Just keep in mind that normal maintenance on that rig will be more expensive than on your Jeep. Some repairs will also need to go to a dealer as Volvo is not good with releasing programming info. 
My advice on used stuff is to have it checked by a 3rd party shop with no axe to grind before purchase. It may cost you $100 or so but may save you $1000's in the process.

[Timberstalker]

No experience with the Volvo, however my brother has a Hyundai Santa Fe.  It is a newer one, however it's been a good rig.

[cbond3318]

No experience with the Volvo, however my brother has a Hyundai Santa Fe.  It is a newer one, however it's been a good rig.

Do those have 3rd row, I didn't think they did? This is a must for the family, only thing that is keeping us away from another Jeep.

[Timberstalker]

No experience with the Volvo, however my brother has a Hyundai Santa Fe.  It is a newer one, however it's been a good rig.

Do those have 3rd row, I didn't think they did? This is a must for the family, only thing that is keeping us away from another Jeep.

In fact they do.  Pretty roomy too.

[cbond3318]

Nothing horrible comes to mind. Just keep in mind that normal maintenance on that rig will be more expensive than on your Jeep. Some repairs will also need to go to a dealer as Volvo is not good with releasing programming info. 
My advice on used stuff is to have it checked by a 3rd party shop with no axe to grind before purchase. It may cost you $100 or so but may save you $1000's in the process.

That has been my hang up on these type of vehicles and has kept me leery from buying one, if I had it my way I would buy a Land Rover Lr3, but between nightmare stories, gas mileage and maintenance costs its out.
I have done the 3rd party thing once before and it worked out good. I am by no means a mechanic by have a particular knack for fixing my wife's broken car, a strange motivation always come over me.... If I cant find info on the web or a quality youtube video, I am SOL... Most reviews I read is they are fairly reliable but I take those with a grain of salt, with every car I buy I wonder if this will be "the lemon"....

[cbond3318]

No experience with the Volvo, however my brother has a Hyundai Santa Fe.  It is a newer one, however it's been a good rig.

Do those have 3rd row, I didn't think they did? This is a must for the family, only thing that is keeping us away from another Jeep.

In fact they do.  Pretty roomy too.

Thanks, we'll have to take a look at these too. The funny thing is when you start adding up all the small family necessities, gas mileage, safety, price , reliability.... it all points to a dang mini van, lucky for me the wife is against one.

[jackelope]

Are you opposed to another Jeep? The Commander has the same drivetrain as your Jeep and has 3 rows. Not sure how new you're looking for. I feel like they quit making them in 2010. Can't recall for sure.

We were looking hard at the Kia Sorento before we bought our Explorer. 2 friends of ours have them and love them. 3 rows of seats, and they're relatively inexpensive.

I'm terrified of Volvo's, Land Rovers, Audi, etc. All too expensive to fix and too much dealer only stuff. Pass.

[cbond3318]

Are you opposed to another Jeep? The Commander has the same drivetrain as your Jeep and has 3 rows. Not sure how new you're looking for. I feel like they quit making them in 2010. Can't recall for sure.

We were looking hard at the Kia Sorento before we bought our Explorer. 2 friends of ours have them and love them. 3 rows of seats, and they're relatively inexpensive.

I'm terrified of Volvo's, Land Rovers, Audi, etc. All too expensive to fix and too much dealer only stuff. Pass.

Not at all, the Commander is our slam dunk rig having owned/made repairs on a Jeep for 5 years. Seemed the MPG was comparable or the same to our GC. It just seemed I  was having a hard time finding them within my not over 100,000 mile mark. Not to say one wont appear though....

[cbond3318]

Actually now that you have me thinking Jeep again, what is the consensus on the 5.7L HEMI motor, good / bad. Lists MPG at 14-16/city and 18-20HWY? which is what I believe is on the low end of what we get with the GC...

[toothfangclaw]

Check out Sweedspeed.com I have a 06 s60 and so far can't say anything bad about reliability. The back seat room is stupid. But other then that. Everything ok. There are a lot of after market support for volvo "ipd is in portland" and I think the price of parts are "fair". There are also many shops and normal people who can access the software on these cars. It's not difficult, just different then domestic cars. I would love to own a xc90. Good luck!

[jackelope]

Actually now that you have me thinking Jeep again, what is the consensus on the 5.7L HEMI motor, good / bad. Lists MPG at 14-16/city and 18-20HWY? which is what I believe is on the low end of what we get with the GC...

Hemi is a decent engine. 16 spark plugs that are due out every 30k miles so tune ups are a little more expensive. The newest ones may be running platinum plugs now, I've been out of the Jeep loop for a few years now. They do the 4cyl/8cyl eco mode thing based on engine load. For this system to work correctly you have to use 5w20 engine oil which is not a big deal. Exhaust manifolds leak on them at times and that can be on the pricey side. Not sure what year your current Jeep is, but the newer ones are a lot better as far as differentials and the other "common" issues they had.

[Woodchuck]

The couple of new body Explorers I have driven sure seemed like nice rigs. Not sure about 3rd row seating. 

[cbond3318]

Actually now that you have me thinking Jeep again, what is the consensus on the 5.7L HEMI motor, good / bad. Lists MPG at 14-16/city and 18-20HWY? which is what I believe is on the low end of what we get with the GC...

Hemi is a decent engine. 16 spark plugs that are due out every 30k miles so tune ups are a little more expensive. The newest ones may be running platinum plugs now, I've been out of the Jeep loop for a few years now. They do the 4cyl/8cyl eco mode thing based on engine load. For this system to work correctly you have to use 5w20 engine oil which is not a big deal. Exhaust manifolds leak on them at times and that can be on the pricey side. Not sure what year your current Jeep is, but the newer ones are a lot better as far as differentials and the other "common" issues they had.

Ours is a 2001 GC Limited, I bought it with 148,000 on it and currently have 228,000. Outside of routine maintenance I replaced the radiator, brake calipers, rotors, power window motor and alternator. other than that which sounds harder / more expensive than it actually was, the jeep has been great to us. At 228,000 miles and the occasional drop of transmission fluid under it or starting to burn through more oil service to service, I feel it is telling me to get out. We are wanting to dump the jeep private sale then cash out the balance for a different rig... looking in the 8-12K range...

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Not knowing Volvo's real well I don't know the difference between a XC70 or XC90.  I had a Volvo as a rental, I believe it was a XC70.  Couple of things from my experience. 

I liked the car and it got great gas mileage.  It had lots of storage room in the back for our bags.

I'm a big guy (6'5" and hefty).  Getting in and out of the car was a pain.  The way the door and seat was caused me to twist around and hit my head/shoulder getting in and out.  My head also rubbed against the roof.  One bump we hit I cracked my head on the sunroof.  In order to get front seat leg room the back seat wound up with none.  Trying to fit 4 adults and an infant car seat in the car was a challenge.