In the near future, I am planning on buying a xc90. I am looking for the 2.5T since it is most reliable and economic. I hate to make payments on a car so I am looking for something I can afford to buy cash, which is why I am asking about the 03 xc90s. I found them to be the cheapest obviously.

The biggest difference between the 03 and newer from my understanding is the AWD systems. Is the older AWD system a real reason to avoid buying a 03 xc90? Are there any other things affecting the 03 model? Again I want the 2.5T model and NOT the T6. Also I do all the work on my own cars and am familiar with Volvo and this type of engine.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

We bought an '05 XC90 2.5T FWD with 70,000 miles. It now has 195,000 miles. Love that engine! Driving it carefully around town gets 17-18 mpg. On a trip it gets 20-21 mpg. We were careful to only consider the 5-cylinder with 2-wheel drive. My son and I replaced timing and other belts and spark plugs at 120,000 miles - looking forward to doing it again at 240,000! Have used only synthetic 5w-30, mostly Mobil 1 and now Pennzoil Platinum; oil changes every 5000 miles. Never touched the transmission fluid.

 

To be very honest unless you work on cars as myself and you plan on doing most of the repairs yourself stay away from an XC90.The parts are very expensive and if certain things go out like the radio you either have to send it in for repairs or go to the dealer.Some after market shops will install new radios in Xc90's but not many.And even then they still leave the old radio in the dash under the new one.Question is if the radio is out will a new one work?Check the forums the older XC90's can be quite cranky!