Volvo great VFM?

[233]

Looking at some new options for our taxi company and with new cars still impossibly hard to get a reliable build date on looking at second hand.

Currently looking at 2/3 year old Volvo V90s which seem to represent ridiculous value for money at the moment with a similar spec V90 about 8-9k cheaper than an equivalent 5 series or E class

Am I missing something here?


Yes I know some of the more badge conscious in here will scoff at a Volvo for not being German or will argue it eould be a horrible choice for an exec service as its not the derigeur 5 series/E class

But having looked at a couple a V90 is every bit as well appointed as the G30 and G31 we currently run nvh is the same and personal opinion this I would say the brand is actually more upmarket than any of the Germans these days….. given the tendency for Joe bloggs to pcp themselves to the hilt for their beloved German motors.


Am I missing something obvious here?

We’re looking at a last hurrah for pure diesel estates for cars that will do 80-100k miles a year for a couple of years use so resale value is minimal regardless of what we get. I know the E class estste is best in glass in terms of sheer size but personally I prefer the 5 series over the E class anyway. And the Volvo seems to offer everything the others do including imo these days image for 2/3rds of the price

 

[inflames]

We have Volvo’s as pool cars at work, the V90 is great car and I would personally own one when they come down in price. They haven’t got the kudos of the German marks and some materials feel cheaper in places. This maybe down to now being owned by Geely.

My biggest issue with the Volvo’s is the touch screen, what is very good, but everything has to be done on it. Including the AC controls, so you need to take your eyes off the road.

Which engine choices are you considering?

 

[Greebo]

controls can be a bit fiddly but they are still the most comfortable seats of any car manufacturers and would be my first choice as a taxi driver IMO.

And reliable and should last for miles and miles.

 

[233]

We have Volvo’s as pool cars at work, the V90 is great car and I would personally own one when they come down in price. They haven’t got the kudos of the German marks and some materials feel cheaper in places. This maybe down to now being owned by Geely.

My biggest issue with the Volvo’s is the touch screen, what is very good, but everything has to be done on it. Including the AC controls, so you need to take your eyes off the road.

Which engine choices are you considering?

just a boggo 2l diesel

our work is mainly airport transfers, we have a few EVs on fleet and tbh their ok for local work but any sort of distance or a busy day and your having to spend time off the road charging. whilst certainly a cheaper option especially with free charging at public charge points in Glasgow at least for the rest of this year. sometimes the time off the road is more expensive than the fuel cost.

 

[inflames]

just a boggo 2l diesel

our work is mainly airport transfers, we have a few EVs on fleet and tbh their ok for local work but any sort of distance or a busy day and your having to spend time off the road charging. whilst certainly a cheaper option especially with free charging at public charge points in Glasgow at least for the rest of this year. sometimes the time off the road is more expensive than the fuel cost.

The D5 is great, plenty of torque when needed and a mpg has always been good when I have used one of them at work. The boot is massive, not the biggest in its class, but more than for doing airport runs. When they come down in value I will be seriously considering to buy one myself. This was a good review I watched the other day.

 

[sandys]

My biggest issue with the Volvo’s is the touch screen, what is very good, but everything has to be done on it. Including the AC controls, so you need to take your eyes off the road.

But you just hit the Voice button say 'I'm cold/warm' and it raises or lowers the temp but a couple of degrees, don't need to touch the screen or even remove hands from wheel, I personally prefer what they offer compared to the Germans.

 

[inflames]

But you just hit the Voice button say 'I'm cold/warm' and it raises or lowers the temp but a couple of degrees, don't need to touch the screen or even remove hands from wheel, I personally prefer what they offer compared to the Germans personally.

Will have to try that function next time I get one of the V90’s.

 

[Scania]

Whilst not exactly comparable to your requirements, more an observation, I have to say I’m on my 3rd Volvo (V70) having owned a P1 and now my second P2 variant, both D5 diesels and have to say after a long line of e series BMW’s from the e36, e46, e39 and the e38 7, I have to say the Volvos seem better built and have been much more reliable on reflection, whilst none of the BMW’s left me stranded at the side of the road, ever, they all suffered stupid faults - not what you’d expect of a premium marque - from things like heater resistor failure, trim coming lose, rust, plastic components in cooling system’s becoming brittle and failing etc, I’ve not had such issues with any of the Volvos thus far.

My current one, 2006, 182k miles, done just shy of 1k in it this last week on a holiday trip to Norfolk and back, not an issue….

Whilst the DNA of a modern Volvo isn’t quite what it used to be, much as I’d argue you could say the same comparing an e series BMW to a current one, I’d hazard a guess the Volvo - certainly used - would be arguably the more reliable second hand buy.