Hi, all... I'm a former Volvo owner (2001 V70 T5 and 2005 V50) and currently drive a BMW 530xi Touring. I do a LOT of long road trips, and prefer to buy cars that are "pre-depreciated", and renovate everything to make them drive like new cars (generally struts, control arms, tie rods, as well as preventive maintenance for the drivetrain).

Part of this process involves having a community of like-minded DIYers who share knowledge and experiences about their vehicles. Some communities are robust and very helpful (the BMW E60/61 being a good example). Others (like the forums dealing with my previous car, an Audi A3) not so much.

What's the DIY community for the "older" XC60 (10 years and older) like? I see a LOT of questions about the 2022 models, which is well and good but obviously has nothing to do with twisting our own wrenches.

If I were to buy one of these things, would I have to make it up as I go, or are there a bunch of shade tree mechanics lurking here, anxious to help others?

 

I've seen several owners/mechanics on here who are very willing to offer advice and help, so in that capacity you're in a good place here. The downside re: saving on depreciation, is that the Volvos have gone very high tech in many areas and most of the new high-tech stuff can't be retrofitted. So, if you're looking for the new nav systems or radios for instance, you might not want to look backward more than three or four years.

 

Thanks, Jim. I'm OK with hi-tech (have a background in electronics and computers) and can generally live with the standard sound system, though I will swap out the speakers, which tend to make more difference than anything else anyway. After living with the "waterfall dash" on my V50, I understand Volvo's attempt to keeping us from upgrading things. ;-)

I did keep my Volvo diagnostic stuff after selling my V50, since I sold it to a buddy who needed a solid, reliable car - it's been that and more for him for a few years now.

I love my 5-series wagon - kind of the ultimate road-trip car, really. But it spent a few years in Minnesota, and that has made some maintenance "less than fun" (I spent about four hours each side just getting the rear axles out of the hubs, to rebuild the rear suspension). I'm thinking that a southwest car would be a nice change. The XC60 (normally aspirated version) seems to fit the bill, with enough room without being ponderous, and with reasonable economy (do they REALLY get 27mpg with the NA six?).