Volvo XC90 - opinions please

[shafique]

Hello,

I'm coming over to Brisbane next year, from the UK, and have been reading up on the traffic and general state of driving.

Having a young family, and wanting to protect them and myself!, I have decided to buy a couple of 4x4s when we get there.

I have a travel allowance of 2.4k pm and have decided to blow this and spend 3k a month on a new XC90 - which comes fully kitted out and has the advantage of 7 seats. I was thinking that this safe car would be good for the wife and kids.

I was therefore thinking of a second hand 4x4 for myself - perhaps a japanese (although I like the Landrover discovery, but am cautious about reliability). What do people recommend - Jeep Cherokee or a Toyota or Nissan? What can I get for about 1.5k a month?

Anyway - I haven't seen any xc90s on sale on the second hand ads in Brisbane, and whilst they get very good write-ups - are there any downsides to these cars (apart from the styling - I'm buying it more for the safety)?

The new xc90 costs around 160kAUD.

Cheers,
Shafique

[BFG-9000]

Volvos don't tend to have good resale value here.

I found the Discovery to be too 'sloppy' on and off the road. If you can afford it go the L. Prado or Landcruiser. But for a 1.5/mth budget you're probably looking for a Patrol or Pajero market.

[shafique]

Thanks XR

I was thinking of the Volvo because it has good reviews, is very safe and has 7 seats.

I've done a little more research and can see that the Prados and Landcruisers also come in 7 seater versions.

I'm now considering whether it would be better to get two Prados or Landcruisers - but both second hand (about 2 years old each). There certainly doesn't seem to be a shortage of these on the market. I'm willing to spend about 4000 a month in total.

I'm not familiar with Prados or Landcruisers and the difference between them and Pajeros/Patrols - are we just talking about different levels of specification or are they different models (like a discovery vs a Range Rover, perhaps?)

Choices, choices ! But at least I enjoy choosing cars

Cheers,
Shafique

[BFG-9000]

You won't go wrong with 2 prados/lancruisers. And they retain pretty good resale value as well as being easy to sell on.

Prados are like the lower end landcruisers. Diff shape and engines etc but still solid drivetrains. Happy hunting!