Hi, I'm new to this forum and I wanted a good opinion on this question that I had. Just going to give you guys some background information on this story and I'd love to hear everyone's opinion. First of all, I'm 19 years old female college student and I've been driving my aunt's xc90 for about 8 months now. It's an 04, and I'm absolutely in LOVE with it. She has been trying to find a buyer for the car for a while now, as she already has two other cars and just went out and bought a new lexus rx350 (ew, right?). Well, anyways, besides the volvo, I have a 2006 kia optima lx which as my mother's and she decided to get a new vw passat and give me her kia, because she knew my aunt was going to ask for the volvo back soon because she had found a potential buyer.

The volvo now has 113,000 miles on it and she wants around 8,000 for it. It's in so so condition, but I really don't care, I love the car and it makes me feel so safe. This is the second time my aunt has lent me her volvo to drive because I've had problems with the kia, and I'm going to be heartbroken if I have to give it back . If I can come up with the money, my aunt would have no problem giving me the volvo. But my mom, for god knows what reason, doesn't think the volvo will last very long and she doesn't really think it's that great of a car. She thinks the Kia will last me longer. The kia has 98,000 miles on it, and right now it just got out of the shop after me having trouble with it constantly turning over.

Ultimately... I want to trade in the Kia, hopefully get around 4,000 for it, and then in other smaller increments pay my aunt back to keep the volvo. My mom thinks I'm nuts because I want to the the xc90 so bad, and she thinks the kia will last longer and she just wants me to give the volvo back and keep driving the kia. I know the repairs on Volvos are crazy expensive, but I love the car so much, and I won't be surprised if it saves my life one day. I know there's no real telling on how far it would go... but how many miles would you guys estimate the xc90 will go to?? Past 200,000? Again, it's an 04 with 113,000 as opposed to the kia which is an 06 with 97,000 on it. Which do you guys think is the better investment?

The volvo has never been in any accidents or had any kind of major troubles. Sometimes when it's cold outside, the key gets stuck in the ignition whenever i try to take it out... It's a little weird, it could just be that they key fob is janky...but no major mechanical problems. The fan blade inside the ac also makes a funny noise a lot, but nothing huge. the kia has been in one minor accident, I rear ended someone and the airbag deployed. It's had some problems with not starting and just turning over, but other than that nothing major.

Anyways...hopefully the odds are in my favor and the volvo will outlive the kia so i can convince my parents that it's a safe car... my dad also thinks the xc90 is "not safe" and doesn't like me driving it. Let's see how "not safe" it is when someone plows into me going 60mph.

 

If your looking for safety its a perfect car. Maintainance its tricky cause it could be expensive, what you wanna take in consideration what engine does it have, when was the timing belt change and if the tranny fluid has been replace, does kinda of things this suv can go for a lot of miles if you do everything yourself or have money to pay to an volvo specialist to work on them. The kia is efficient yeah but as to every used car your taking a chance as tomwhats going to happen. I would say if ur money wise and since it was own by ur aunt go for it cause is not bad of a deal for 8k. Just follow maintanence like oil changes cause if it is a turbo it needs new synthetic oil every 5k . My opinion is that hope it helps

 

Wow, someone actually thinks a wrecked KIA will last longer than a Volvo? Shocking!

These predictions are hard to make, and that particular Volvo is pricey to keep but still... It really depends on what type of care the Volvo had from your aunt, records? As a family member you are in good shape to be able to ask about these things from her.

The problem is that the if the Volvo needs something major, like tranny or motor work, a like head gasket, it will be hugely expensive. These newer Volvos don't easily go the distance the older ones did... I personally wouldn't trust the KIA much more...

 

found this thread that is a good read! my 2003 xc90 has 167,750 miles right now
So you want to buy/looking/thinking a XC90. Read this guide. - XC Volvo Forums

 

My theory is that if the body and chassis is good, the car can run forever. It is always cheaper to replace and engine, or a transmission than to replace the whole car.

Reliable cars like Hondas and toyotas can last only as long as the body does. How many volvos have you seen with rust? A volvo that is 20-25 years old will still be rust free even in a snow belt region.