Last October my beloved XC 90 was rear ended by texting teen going 40 while we sat at a red-light. NOTHING wrong with us (or her) and not a dent in the car. Hers was, well, you can guess. However, a literal half inch kink in the frame "totaled" it. I had just put $4400 in it (2004 with 80K miles). Got $2400 back. So, back to looking for another XC 90, most likely ten years old or maybe to 2014, depending on mileage.

But I digress, my nomenclature is rough but I had a twin turbo six. I don't care about fuel economy. Been looking long time through these insane used car prices but think I found a good one. It is a 3.2 Sport Utility, AWD. However, looking at the horsepower it looks pretty anemic and that may be a reflection on the low price (no, it has a clean title)

I would appreciate any insights, help, suggestions in whether to move toward it. I remember buying a 1994, 6 cylinder 4Runner. No greater surprise than punching the accelerator to merge on to the interstate. All I got was a louder noise coming from the engine.

Lastly, if I do want that same twin turbo engine, can I find it in newer models? I did see an 8 cylinder but they are rare AND expensive.

 

The 2.9 twin turbo 6 is no longer (after 2006?) The 3.2 FoMoCo/Land rover/Volvo 6 is adequate. Look up the Hp from each - given that with a 2004 T6 you would not use full power for fear of destroying the GM transmission!

What can be exciting is the 3.0 T FoMoCo 6. With Polestar it has 325 HP, 354 Torque. Unfortunately that engine was only used in the xc60, xc70 and s80. So if you don't need the size of the xc90 - 2015 was the last year of that engine.

The V8 has it's own set of problems - (early engine balance shaft bearing failures, (they are not lubricated with engine oil!) alternator that takes a day to replace, etc.)

Sorry for your loss.

 

Thought I just replied...can't find it. Try again.

Thank you for your quick response and, yes, I am grieving. That teen cost me at least 14K to replace it. Would love to send her a bill.

I could use some translation for this nomenclature impaired senior. As follows, please:

The 3.2 FoMoCo/Land rover/Volvo 6 is adequate. 1. ARE YOU SAYING THERE ARE DIFFERENT ENGINE SIZES HERE? IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ONE ENGINE FOR THREE DIFFERENT VEHICLES. 2. SO, IF THAT IS RIGHT, "3.2" IS "ADEQUATE". Look up the Hp from each - given that with a 2004 T6 2. BUT AGAIN, NOW IT SOUNDS LIKE THOSE ARE THREE DIFFERENT ENGINES. SORRY. SO I LOOK UP EACH MODEL AND CHECK THE HP? I'M GUESSING "FOMOCO" (FORD MOTOR...) MAKES THE ENGINE. you would not use full power for fear of destroying the GM transmission! THAT'S HILARIOUS. THERE WERE ONLY A FEW TIMES I PUNCHED MINE. ABOUT A THREE SECOND DELAY BEFORE SPOOLED UP AND THEN ZOOM, WITH MUCH NOISE.
What can be exciting is the 3.0 T FoMoCo 6. With Polestar it has 325 HP, 354 Torque. Unfortunately that engine was only used in the xc60, xc70 and s80. So if you don't need the size of the xc90 - 2015 was the last year of that engine. AFTER A BUCKET OF RESEARCH, I DO NEED THE 90 UNLESS THE XC 60 HAS AWD AND, SO FAR, I HAVE NOT FOUND ONE. SO, SOMEWHAT REDUNDANT. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SUGGESTION FOR 90'S THAT GO FROM '08 TO SAY '14?

 

Quick note, just saw XC 60 has many AWD/T6 so checking that out, as we speak.

 

One engine, shared with 3 brands. Has FoMoCo stamped on a bunch of parts. Interesting design, no timing belt, no front pulley, power take off for alt,ac,water pump (& p/s on non electric p/s cars) is between the engine and trans. A Land rover with that engine uses the same rear diff as Volvo (and sells parts for them, Volvo does not). AWD is certainly offered in a xc60, xc70 and s80. (I found 24 2012-14 xc60's with Awd on autotrader.com within 400 miles of me) If interested you should research the "packages" that were available. Rain sensing wipers and speed sensing cruise control are two features I won't buy a car without after my 2015 xc70 and 2020 xc60. I always hated cruise control (for 45 years) but now I use it every day - even in stop and go traffic. Those were part of the platinum package on the xc70 and are in the inscription model of my xc60. Not sure if the pre 2016 xc90 offers any of those advanced features.

Something not many know about that 3.0-3.2 FoMoCo engine. There is no low oil pressure warning sensor. That simple pressure operated $10 switch that grounds the oil pressure warning light with less than 7 psi. There is an oil level sensor that is SUPPOSED to work. However when it does not and your tech forgets to put oil in - there is no warning on the dash and the shop owner (me) gets to purchase the car with a seized engine.

08-14 The earliest engines were less powerful. 15? more hp in later years for the 3.2. 2016 and up - it's the 4 cyl 2.0 turbo and supercharged engines. I'm not impressed. (compared to the 3.2t6 with polestar, or previous M bmw's that were in the garage.)

 

The 4cyl engines definitely could have been made to be a little faster. If you go with the 4cyl I would recommend the T6 variant because I came off of an 06 s60 2.5T with slight modifications (I somehow ended up with 12PSI max boost after a software update the volvo dealer) and my older car felt like it was faster. That is comparing a 2018 s60 t5 to a 2006 s60 2.5T, both AWD based completely on feel. However I still like my 2018 better as I grow into an old man (im 25)

 

Good grief! You know your stuff and thank you! You surely know your stuff. I am starting to lean back toward the 90 as the main reason, other than AWD, is the room I need in the back. Horrors for some but I used the room for hauling items that may not be large enough for the 60. (like snowblower repairs or large hardware purchases, even junk taken to the dump. Stay tuned...

 

If I go with the 60 I am certainly considering the T6. I had no idea the dealer offered a software boost. This is on the 60, right?

 

That little boost I got was definitely done by mistake and it was on an 2006 s60. I was trying to use R style headlights so I asked them to try software updates to allow the CEM to accept them. But it would not work and I got no charge for the process. Afterwards my car was pushing more boost. It wasn't an upgrade that the dealer offered.

The SPA (2019+) S60s look really nice in my opinion. An S90 is great and very luxurious, and I think it has a very beautiful interior compared to the S60. If I wasn't young and buying my first dealership car, I would get the S90. If you get the car from the volvo dealer I would recommend the 10 year unlimited mile warranty. It cost 3100-ish for my 2018 volvo s60 T5 and it covers a lot of expensive components. The peace of mind alone is worth it. If you want a warranty with your car, be prepared to pay an extra $5000 on your car price. Volvo has a simonize fee they add for $1500 to every car. This is a protective coating on the paint that you have no choice about.

 

If you want room - consider the xc70. A single bed mattress fits inside with the tailgate closed. I've transported sofas and once put a full size washer and dryer new in their boxes in the back of one (tail gate did not close that time)!