Please tell me all about AWD Volvo's

I can't help with the Volvo and apologise for going off at a tangent but did you consider the Toyota Hilux Surf / 4Runner?

Very capable on poor roads and in difficult driving conditions, don't break easily and are affordable. Interiors are a bit pedestrian but that's not too much of a compromise.

Not owned one but my brother had a XC90 for a number of years.

Seemed reliable enough until we had a really bad winter a few years ago and he then realised that the 4x4 had packed up. Seems to be a common fault so worth checking for if you go this route.

P.

I bought my first Volvo last year and I absolutely love it, it makes me wonder why I haven’t bought one before and I can honestly say I will certainly buy another. Performance wise I feel mine is fantastic, space in them rivals most vans I’ve had, comfort is most probably the best I’ve had and the driving experience is just a very pleasant one. They seem to be an ideal compromise of needing a bit of everything.That said I intentionally avoided the AWD models due to the way they catastrophically fail. Or so I’m told.

My information was relevant to the V70R models, however the XC90 may well be different. I do really like the XC90 and they seem to have come down in price significantly over the years which is also part of an appeal factor for me.

What model are you interested in? The T6 is so appealing to me but I know fully well the fuel costs won’t be.

Also going off on a tangent I’ve owned all sorts of things and the best 4x4 vehicles I’ve had bar none are 90s Mitsubishi’s. With a decent set of tyres mine used to go pretty much anywhere at our local site with no great trouble. The only time they came unstuck was due to the larger wheel base when things like SJs and Defenders would come into their own. My last one was an import challenger which I paid the grand sum of £400 for.

So in answer to your question, I was put off of buying an AWD Volvo because of the horror stories on the internet, which, are most certainly blown out of all proportion and not a real worry, much like IMS on a Porsche and a Head gasket on a K-series. There are a lot of spares or repairs XC90s online for sale, but the majority of them have mega miles on them. Buy with your eyes wide open and you should be ok.

Had an XC70 hire car in Canada in the winter some years back. Lots of snow, -18degC, you get the idea. Awesome vehicle. Obviously can't comment on long term reliability though.

I can certainly agree that the turning circle on my volvo is painful. Makes parking into those tighter spots a nightmare.

Wife's business partner has had an xc90 for around 10 years. It's a comfortable and capable car, but as mentioned the haldex system can go wrong and leave it in 2 wheel drive (this happened to hers)
They also have auto box problems, and various cem and built in audio problems as most modern volvos suffer from.

I'm on my 4th Volvo (not 4wd) and did consider one, but having owned a Subaru Impreza for 12 years and having hardly any issues with it I would say get a forrester xt. Yes they will only seat 5, but boot should be big enough, and with the right tyres on capable off road. Or maybe have a look at Subaru Legacy outback. AVOID DIESELS RHOUGH.

Road Tax in Australia is what we call Rego (Registration) it's calculated on the amound of Cylinders.
3 and 4 Cylinder cars is about $340 for 6 Mths. (Queensland)
5 and 6 Cyl about $470 for 6 Mths.(I thought)
7? and 8 Cyl about $590 for 6 Mths.(I thought) Could me more could be less.
It doesn't matter how old your car is unless you get the historic rego. But that's something all together.
This is a bit of a silly system as my 2013 3 Cyl Suzuki Alto is the same in rego costs as my wifes 2006 Honda Odyssey wich uses more fuel, is heavier etc.
Anyway, I am not in a hurry and saw a really nice Volvo www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/595941827935369/
But I am happy to look at others. The LR looks good too

unless you're mudding on knobblies I wouldn't get hung up on the awd, good winters on a V70 will get you most places with a significant saving in potential bills and running costs.

In the UK you really don't see many old XC90s any more, just like you don't see the original BMW X5's any more. Too much complexity has ruled them off our roads I think.

I'd go for the Hilux Surf option as mentioned above for sanity. Anything else is just vanity ;->