I'm about to purchase a used XC90. I'm planning on getting a 2006 V8 with about 60,000 miles on it. I'm a bit wary of all I've heard about transmission problems and am wondering if this year/version is one that is likely to have issues. Also, are there other major things to watch out for?

I'm planning to purchase an extended warranty to 100,000 miles to be sure I don't get stuck with a $4,000 transmission bill in the next few years. However, I've also read that sometimes people have to replace them multiple times? Is there a replacement transmission that is better, yet?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I've been a Saab owner my entire life and understand the cost of maintaining a Swedish car, but I'm also trying to avoid major issues.

Thanks.

 

No doubt most of the transmission horror stories you've heard were about the T6. The T6 had a GM 4T60-E 4-speed transmission that was matched with and engine that put out torque at its max rating level. The pairing didn't really work that well, and you've apparently read about the results.

The V8 and the 3.2 have an Aisin Warner TF80-SC 6-speed transmission. By all accounts these pairings are MUCH more reliable than the T6/4T60-E combo.

That being said, the max torque rating of the TF80-SC is ~325 lb/ft, which happens to be the max torque of the Volvo/Yamaha V8, so...

Be careful with your V8 purchase. There have been some reports of tranny failures in the V8s as well. Nothing like those of the old T6, but they are out there, whereas I haven't seen a single verified report of tranny failure on the 2.5T or the 3.2, both of which put out significantly less torque than that for which their transmissions are rated.

I would guess that if the V8 has been driven in a fashion such that the engine was at max torque a lot (and it did have a broad torque curve), then you'd be at higher risk of having some sort of problem. Again, it doesn't appear that the TF80-SC fails consistently, like the 4T60-E did, but it does appear to happen occasionally. In my research if was enough for me to choose a 3.2 over a V8, even with CPO, but that was in part because I was coming out of a car with transmission troubles of its own and I didn't want any whiff of a repeat.