3 years ago we leased an XC90 with the convience package - leather,
rear assist and wood steering wheel. The car is and was beatiful.

It was $499/month + tax, 0 down lease. Ends up being $545 every month
or so.

We loved the car and have babied it. It only has 24,0000 miles.

We've calculted we've paid about $20,000 in payments at the lease end.
The original Sticker on the car was $42k (I think) but the sale price
was around $37k on the lease papers. Next month is our last payment
(of $545) + a termination fee of ($400).

The buy out on the car is around $24k + tax which is kinda crazy.

This morning, in what was likely really bad negiotation move, we
called the bank inquiring about making a deal to buy the car. Not
expecting to be asked to make a verbal offer on the spot, we hastly
offered $17k + tax. They came right back with little hesitation and
countered for $17500. They will however waive the last payment and the
termination fee bringing the price down to roughly $16,500.

If we go to carsdirect.com, this same car (now v6 not inline 5) prices
out to roughly $42k + tax (likely negotiate down to ($38k)

Compare all this to the car we were going to buy (2009 Honda Pilot EX-
L) for roughly $30k + tax.

We have 24 hours to confirm we want it.

Again the car is perfect condition and even has new tires and breaks.

I think made a mistake in not offering them $13k and then expecting
them to meet us half way, but anyways, the buy out takes us to the
original price roughly and we do like the car. But no way to go back
now.

Our only concern about the car is that we have been puting regular gas
in it , but it's been running great. Any expected damage? The car has
one more year of warranty. Mainly, we just love the way the car looks
and feels, the engine could be more powerful and we really were
looking forward to an Aux jack for the radio and a hitch.

Any thoughts? Good deal? concerns about Gas type we've been using?

jc wrote:

You won't damage anything using regular gas, it will run just fine. If
the computer detects the onset of knock it will retard the ignition
timing. The result is slightly less power and worse fuel economy but no
damage.

You lucky people over here, in Holland (THE NETHERLANDS), a XC90 in good
trim cost 100k EURO !! a 3 year old one around 45k EURO that is about 60d US
Dollars, so for us it is a bargain.
I have driven a 2003 modell 2.5T AWD, but the fuel bill became to high, 1
litre was 1.60 euro or about 2.10 US dollar, yes for one litre !!!




"James Sweet" <jamessweet1 (AT) trashmail (DOT) net> schreef in bericht
news:glku8g$c0f$2 (AT) news (DOT) motzarella.org...

On Jan 26, 12:36*pm, jc <j... (AT) webdos (DOT) com> wrote:
my sister just bought a new 2009 volvo xc90 for 35000- out the door...

betsey

i would guess your a bit high in your offer...however, knowing the
car 100% is of "peace of mind" value...i would say a few thousand
dollars.....there are great deals on used volvos right now...the used
market is soft, as well as the new car market...at least from what i
see......

Check www.edmunds.com. It lists trade-in value (of 2005 XC90 2.5T, I
don't know your specific package) as ~$12K and dealer retail as ~
$16K.

Since nobody pays full retail, especially in this economy, you should
be able to buy the car off the dealer's hands for less than or about
trade-in. Otherwise let the dealer try to sell that SUV for $16K. Tell
them good luck.

Check also Kelly blue book (kbb.com) and maybe others. Print out the
trade-in value because that's typically what the dealer is willing to
pay YOU to take a car off your hands.


On Jan 26, 9:36*am, jc <j... (AT) webdos (DOT) com> wrote:

Check your manual. Most of today's car computers will automatically
adjust to the lower octane gas.

For engines that accept regular through premium, most people won't
notice the difference. It would be more important that you regularly
change the engine oil and ATF among other maintenance items.

Now, lifetime ATF means the ATF will last until the transmission
breaks early. "Lifetime" means different things to the dealer and the
owner. You may have a GM Hydramatic transmission that use Dexron fluid
or Aisin-Warner that uses Mobil 3309.

See the article: "Why use premium gas when regular will do?"
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-07-30-premiumgas_x.htm


On Jan 26, 9:36*am, jc <j... (AT) webdos (DOT) com> wrote:

On Jan 26, 12:36*pm, jc <j... (AT) webdos (DOT) com> wrote:
Check the value of the car within your area using Edmunds or a similar
site to see if you are getting a good price or not. The amount that
you paid in lease payments is irrelevant at this point. You are
buying transportation from this point forward so cash out of pocket
and the current value of the car are what will determine whether you
are getting a good deal or not..

Roadie <hjsjms (AT) cs (DOT) com> wrote:

Roadie is entirely correct. Prior payments have no bearing on the
present worth. If you can get it for a total of less than the original
cash price, then that is good since during the lease, they were making a
profit. Also, the used car market is warm now, but the big SUV market
is ice cold. My Volvo dealer tries to deal mostly in used Volvos since
they have a much bigger profit than new Volvos. You got a better deal
than you wanted, why wouldn't you take it????
--
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA, USA
Owned '67,'68,'71,'74,'79,'81,'87,'93,'95 & '01 Volvos.
The '67,'74,'79,'87,'95 and '01 through European Delivery.
http://rhodyman.net/homevo.html