Hi guys,
I'm new here and this is my first post. Nice to meet you all!!!

My second baby is coming soon so I want to replace my 2003 RX330 for a 7 seater. After all the searches,XC90 is on the top in my list.
I can't afford the brand new car so I have to go for a second hand XC90. Could anyone here tell what the differences are among 2003,2004,2005 XC90?
Also, is the 3rd comfort enough for medium-sized person?

Thanks

Michael

Hi Michael. I bought mine 4 days ago, so I'm no expert but I know the following:

* DO NOT buy a T6 (transmission problems are very common). The 2.5T is great
* the back 2 seats are not huge. I'm in Marrickville, Sydney (0414250975). You can come and try mine if you like
* 2003-2005, they're the same except for colour options.

There are only minor facelift differences between the 2003 - 2005 models and the 2.5T is the ONLY one to consider.

If you don't want the third row seats for adults, an XC70 is worth a look - it can be fitted with a third row (back facing )seat - suitable only for children up to about 12 or 13 years.

In the XC90 the rear seat has a pop up child seat in the centre and the third row of seats are quite comfortable for medium size adult persons - although not for long journeys as it could tend to become cramped for leg room.

Where is Australia are you located - I am in Newcastle.

1.Thank you very much!Hayabusa for your kindness. But I think I will have a test drive at the car dealers place.
Anyway, how much is your XC90? What year ? KM?
2.Thanks VolvoDownunder. I live in Sydney. Thanks for your advice. I will feel it myself during test drive.

There is one 2003 XC90 on sale for only $AUD29000. there is a link but no pic. I will go there this weekend and have a look.
http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/&#...dealer_id=10829

Hi

When you go looking, particularly with some dealers they give cars a birthday - sell them on the compliance plate date instead of the build date.
You should look at the build date for the actual year model - the plate is on the right hand pillar, open the right hand rear door to see it.
Volvo in particular start building their next year model around August and it is known as YM....the last 2 digits of the year model.
We recently bought a YM08 S40 that was built in 2007 and complied in 2008. It was a few thousand dollars cheaper than a YM08 built and complied in 2008.
Usually when you buy it is the complied year and when you go to sell/tradein it is the build year that they use.

Mine's an 03
77,000kms
$26,000 (private sale)

Hi there

I tried the link you provided - however it would not work.

I also had a look at the carsales web site and could not find the one you mentioned - 2003 model for $29K.

There is a private sale of a 2004 that has a negotiable price. From the pictures it looks OK and has nearly 12 months rego.

Good luck with your search.

Hi
Have a 2003 2,5T 210 HP. Not political correct (CO2) but a great car to drive.

Have 3 kid (7-9-12 yrs) and have fx been driving 1.300 km between Denmark and Austria in one day. 3.rd. row is quite and comftable for kids up to 12:-) so comfort for everybody is in top!

Only problem with the car is that you do not feel much diff. between 100 km/h and 200. So take care!

If there is a lot of water on the road I have experienced a huge delay (1-2 sec.) when you activate the bakes.

But anyway you will never feel real happines before you buy one :-)

Good luck with the purchase!

Wow, $26000 is cheap. Really good deal, mate! Is that a 7 seater?

Thanks mate. I can't get the link work either. Anyway, I am going to see a few this weekend. There are two cars on my list.
1. 2005 XC90 86000KM, sunroof,wooden interior. $35499
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/privat...1&silo=1011
Although the KM is a bit high, from the pic this car looks great. I wish I can get it for $34k.
2. 2004 XC90 92000KM. $32000
http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/privat...1&silo=1011
the seller says he needs to sell it urgently. So the real selling price could be $30k-31k.

I really like the first one. Later model with more features. However, can anyone tell me that the wooden interior in this car is self-made or factor fit-in?

Thanks

Michael

They both look good.

For the 2005 - I would be offering $33K and negotiate from there, and for the 2004 - I would offer $29K and also negotiate from there. The klms are bit high for this model.
Don't forget to check the build date to make sure that they are 05 and 04 builds and complied the 2005 having a January rego could well be a 2004 build - as that is what a dealer will use if trading later on.

As for the wood - it is a wooden steering wheel with leather on it - they can become extremely hot if left out in the sun on a hot day - I usually put up a silver window shield or silver steering wheel cover so that I can hold the wheel when I get back to the car. I had leather steering wheels on previous Volvo's and would have preferred the same. I see that the 2004 model has the leather steering wheel. There is other wood trim in the cars - it is all factory option and fit.

The one with the sunroof - make sure that there is no water damage around the roof area and that the floor has not been water stained. The drains for the sun roofs can become blocked and you end up with water inside the car.

Keep us posted on your progress.

some updates here.
I went to see the private sale car last Saturday. The car's build year was AUG2004,but it complied 2005. In general, the car looks in a very good condition, very well maintained. But the milage is a bit too high. Almost hits 90k.
The second car I checked was at VOVOL Artamon. build year Mar2004. Lower milage but long face salesman told me that 35k is the fix price, and can't not be sold with a dollar less. What the...
i will keep looking!

Thanks

michael

Yep, 7 seater, all leather
Took me a month or so to find, but they ARE out there!

Yeh, if you can afford to 'not rush', you'll get something good at the right price. I got to know all the dealers and a couple of wholesalers.. Feel free to play them against each other. They hate it, but it gives you leverage and bargaining power.

We got the black interior. It seemed to age better than the cream interiors.

Let us know how you go... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

Thanks for the update.

Sounds like you went to Alto at Artarmon and saw the gold one that is on car sales.com for $34990.

A re visit to their yard say 26 to 28 June might prove helpful - most salesmen have to reach monthly targets and as an added bonus this month it is the end of the financial year.

Any salesman worth his job should have a very sharp pencil around that time - just make sure that any price quoted is "drive away - no more to pay". That includes the government transfer tax and fees.

Some dealers have their salesmen on variable commission rates and the more they sell to meet their monthly target the greater the amount commission payable per vehicle.

If that does not work out for you - just be patient - the right one will eventually present itself.

Hi all,

I'm also in the same boat. Looking to get a 2003 or 2004 XC90. How does the T5 drive? Whats the performance like? I was more interested in getting a T6 because we want to tow with it but hearing what you all have to say maybe the T5 is better.

Appriciate your thoughts.

Cheers,

Hi MickeyT

Where in Australia are you located - if in or near Sydney there are a few dealers that stock good value vehicles.

As for what to buy - as you can read below I have a 2006, 2.5T and find that it has plenty of power for our needs. Is it is a van or boat you wish to tow - if it is of the large variety neither the T5 or T6 may satisfy your requirements.
If you locate one with a tow bar fitted, they may permit you to try before you buy with what you want to tow - worth an ask - they can only say yes or no.
I have spoken to a couple of owners who have towed a medium van and they have found the 2.5T to be quite satisfactory.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. I'm located in Perth.

As for towing, we've got a Malibu Response which is a waterski boat, probably weighs about 1600kgs all up including trailer weight etc...

As for the performance of the T5, is there anything you would compare it to, just so i can get an idea.

Thanks,

Hi Mickey T

I can't suggest any comparisons - I knew what I wanted a XC90 2.5T found the right one and bought it.

Perhaps the Volvo Owners Club in WA might be able to help with regards to towing etc.

I found their details on "Google" and is below,

VOLVO CAR CLUB
OF W.A. INC

Contact :Jenny Clegg
Phone: (09) 399 4723
Address: 63 Challis Rd.
Armadale.WA 6112


Hope this is of some help.

Thanks VolvoDownunder.

I had another question about the interior on the T5. Did they come standard with leather or are there cloth seats as well?

Thanks