Hey so I’m bringing a car to my smaller college they said they recommend it since I’m it’s basically in the middle of nowhere? Also I really want a luxury or lower end luxury car! Yes I know that’s crazy? But would you recommend a 2014-15 Volvo S60 or like a 2012-up Acura TL or tsk or even a Lexus IS ?? I’ve been lookin and I love the Volvo and it’s cheaper too!
Quingod12
Check into possible oil consumption issues on some of the older year S60s. Someone else here will clarify, I don’t know much about it. Other than it was pre 2017ish models.
You’ll get a lot of ‘I recommend the Volvo’ since you’re on a Volvo forum. Research, research, research.
You’ll get a lot of ‘I recommend the Volvo’ since you’re on a Volvo forum. Research, research, research.
I was in school a few years ago and had a 2010 XC60, which was super useful when I had to move from different dorms and different apartments or packing camping supplies when I would go camping with friends. You could always rent Zipcar if your campus has one (my friend did this when he had to move) or ask a friend that has a bigger car if you ever need to move big stuff), but the peace of mind not having to rely on on other people influenced my decision. I ended up trading it for a V60 because I know I'll be moving at least once or twice during my ownership and I found it to be a sportier compromise while still being able to haul stuff if I need.
As Variable suggested, definitely do your research and think about what you need the car to do! Of course, I'm super biased because my dad had a P2 T5 S60 then a P3 V8 S80 so I naturally opted for the V60 over the Audi A4 or the BMW 3 Series (cheaper too!)
Ever hear the phrase "you get what you pay for"?
I was once a university student too. I was a Psychology student who spent more time wrenching on his Volvo than working on his degree....and my marks were a proof of this.
Long story short, if you value your time and academic future, get one of the former offerings.
If you value Volvo ownership and dedicating time to maintenance and repairs, choose the latter.
Choose wisely, your future depends on it
The old T5 motors (actual five cylinders) were great and hold up well in time. Just make sure the PCV system is in good shape and that the timing belt was taken care of if needed. The early drive e motors did have some ring issues and I might stay away from them. I think the full hacked VIDA system only goes up to 2014, so if you're into DIY that would be a consideration as well. There are lots of low mile S60s on the market for a great value, and if you like the brand, owning one will get you some extra money with owner loyalty rebates when you buy your first new one in a few years when you get your first big kid job!
As a college student buying/insuring/maintaining/repairing the car I would avoid the Volvo and go with something cheaper and and more reliable. Acura, Lexus, Honda, Toyota, Infiniti, Nissan would be top picks. Should you have deep pockets or parents paying for your car repairs, gas, insurance, maintenance etc, don't buy a Volvo until you graduate from college and have excess disposable income. Just my .02 cents
I would recommend the TL out of these 3 options simply because it is the cheapest to buy and also cheapest to maintain and that is likely what will benefit you most as a college student. Plus, it's no Volvo but it is still relatively safe (it was a top safety + pick by IIHS).
Now, coincidentally, I have a 2014 Acura TL base, white exterior/beige interior, with 81k miles and perfect maintenance record (always serviced at the dealership). If you're interested, please PM me. I am in the process of purchasing an '18 S60 so am just about to trade mine into Carvana lol
Well, as also a college student who is about to shell out 2k in maintenance repairs, I would be wary. But then again, I highly recommend Volvo's to any and all students looking for a car. My recommendation would be a T6 or a T8 XC60. I'm actually eyeing a T8 myself although another car has been catching my eye cough '03 X308 Jaguar XJR cough. But nonetheless, I highly recommend them.
I say go for it! My sister got her 2012 S60 during her freshman year of college and is still driving it after her first year of law school. You gotta keep up with regular maintenance of course but it hasn't given her any issues. In fact, just this weekend we drove it all the way from VA to TX for the 6th time... it always does great. Enjoy your S60 - they're great cars for the money.
My Volvo has been hugely reliable. In 214,000 miles, it's only left me stranded once, and it was a dead battery - no fault of the car. A little bit of maintenance goes a long way! The TL is literally one of the ugliest cars on the road, and the center stack is confusing as hell. Nothing wrong with an IS, but they barely lose any value at all because they supposedly don't break since they're Toyota products. I own a Toyota and a Volvo and let me tell you, Toyotas do too break. Many Lexus models don't have interchangeable parts with Toyota models, so parts can be really expensive on them. Not to mention insurance. In my situation, my Volvo XC60's liability is $77 every 6 months. That's NOTHING, and it's not even minimum liability. I also have collision and comprehensive, but those are optional add-ons. My Toyota's liability rate is 2.5 times that. You won't regret the Volvo, I promise.
The TL will be far less maintenance the Volvo, especially for suspension and regular stuff like oil changes etc. Personally I'd get a 2012+ Mercedes C300 4Matic, less maintenance, more luxury than the TL and more reliable than anything else in it's class.
My college experiences and fiscal means during my years were quite different than you lot above.
Quingod, you've asked the same question here a few times... You're going to get the same response, so I'm not sure what you're expecting to be different this time. Get a car within your means, that's your answer. If you have to ask yourself whether you can afford it or will need to rack up credit card bills to pay for repairs, you're looking at the wrong car.
Quingod, you've asked the same question here a few times... You're going to get the same response, so I'm not sure what you're expecting to be different this time. Get a car within your means, that's your answer. If you have to ask yourself whether you can afford it or will need to rack up credit card bills to pay for repairs, you're looking at the wrong car.
College professor here.
I advise a few students who always seem to be focused more on working to pay for their car/car repairs than their academics. Not really a good situation, and I advise you think about it carefully as you make your decision.
I totally get that there’s an allure to being able to cultivate a certain image or identity with the wheels you drive. I would just offer that the ideal time for it may be better after getting that degree and getting gainful full time employment.
I advise a few students who always seem to be focused more on working to pay for their car/car repairs than their academics. Not really a good situation, and I advise you think about it carefully as you make your decision.
I totally get that there’s an allure to being able to cultivate a certain image or identity with the wheels you drive. I would just offer that the ideal time for it may be better after getting that degree and getting gainful full time employment.
I got a Volvo in college. It was 11 years old, I spent $2,700 ($3,692 in today's money), had over 175k miles (true mileage unknown), I enjoyed working on cars, and I was in the car club (had access to shared tools and lots of car knowledge). If you can find a luxury car for under $5,000 and enjoy working on cars, I say go for it. Otherwise, find something more reliable for that money and forget about luxury.
Luxury is in the eye of the beholder. A working car that is reliable is a luxury... one I did not always have in school...
Well....I just went through this for my daughter. As many of you can confirm!!!
The more and more I looked I ended up creeping up in newer/pricier cars to avoid the oil burning, getting some better safety tech etc. Got a really good deal on a car 4.5 hours away that was several thousand less than I could buy it in Upstate, NY. Frankly I never spent so much on a car for myself until I was 55. My first car, (Fiat 124 wagon), was $400. I've bought 2 nice used cars for myself in the past 7 years, prior to that nothing I would let her drive save for the past Volvos. I've driven dozens of cars from 22,000-120,000 miles while searching for a car for her. All makes models etc. You cannot buy a decent car in this crazy market for under $10k in my opinion
Not trying to spoil her...she is a Nat Honor Society student, works, keeps the bedroom clean enough so we can see the floor on occasion and has been a pretty good kid. For me....Worth a few extra shekels for wife's peace of mind. It's CPO and being a 17 should have most of the bugs worked out of the 2.0 based on what I've learned from the good folks here..
I'm sorry, I'm on the road 40,000 miles a year and I see a lot of whacky drivers and speeds are just increasing everywhere. I've come upon 3 fatals on the road in last 120 days...yesterday was number 3 on a 45 mph stretch of road. Like my buddy Paul says, (professional driver), "it's like a knife fight out there" I've looked at all of the crash tests and I keep coming back to Volvo...(actually a 13 XC-90 but hey).
As far as maintenance: She can't turn a wrench but few of us can work on a 17 save for stuff outside of the engine bay.
Just my $.02
The more and more I looked I ended up creeping up in newer/pricier cars to avoid the oil burning, getting some better safety tech etc. Got a really good deal on a car 4.5 hours away that was several thousand less than I could buy it in Upstate, NY. Frankly I never spent so much on a car for myself until I was 55. My first car, (Fiat 124 wagon), was $400. I've bought 2 nice used cars for myself in the past 7 years, prior to that nothing I would let her drive save for the past Volvos. I've driven dozens of cars from 22,000-120,000 miles while searching for a car for her. All makes models etc. You cannot buy a decent car in this crazy market for under $10k in my opinion
Not trying to spoil her...she is a Nat Honor Society student, works, keeps the bedroom clean enough so we can see the floor on occasion and has been a pretty good kid. For me....Worth a few extra shekels for wife's peace of mind. It's CPO and being a 17 should have most of the bugs worked out of the 2.0 based on what I've learned from the good folks here..
I'm sorry, I'm on the road 40,000 miles a year and I see a lot of whacky drivers and speeds are just increasing everywhere. I've come upon 3 fatals on the road in last 120 days...yesterday was number 3 on a 45 mph stretch of road. Like my buddy Paul says, (professional driver), "it's like a knife fight out there" I've looked at all of the crash tests and I keep coming back to Volvo...(actually a 13 XC-90 but hey).
As far as maintenance: She can't turn a wrench but few of us can work on a 17 save for stuff outside of the engine bay.
Just my $.02
I went through the exact same thing as the OP. You are correct about the Volvo's being cheaper than the Lexus IS and Acura TL. As much as I love my Volvo, it's for a good reason.
The Lexus IS and TL are insanely reliable, and cost very little in maintenance and repair. Even a car as reliable as the Volvo T6 is still going to cost more to repair, as it's a European car.
I also looked at the TSX, but had to rule it out due to lack of horsepower. I knew that on a long road trip with 4 passengers, it was going to run out of breath, although it was probably the most fun to drive. The V6 TSX is very rare. As much as I love the IS250, it is extremely slow as well. The IS350 is a stellar pick, with ventilated seats and a good sound system, not to mention an extremely powerful V6. However, the entire market knows this, and they are expensive. The TL had good power, and I personally love the way the 2008 looks, but I would have been kicking myself for not getting the manual Type-S, and I couldn't find any for sale.
The 2012 S60 T6 is very comfortable, very attractive (especially with the RD rear end), and unlike any of the other cars, has AWD, which has been great for road trips. It's nearly as quick as the IS350, and for a 2012 has decent tech inside and audio. I'm happy with my choice.
Edit: I also considered the ES350, which is comfortable on a whole new level. However, due to the 3.5 V6, the car had terrible torque steer and handled like a battleship. The comfort factor was a 10/10 but driving was 1/10, even though it's quick in a straight line.
The Lexus IS and TL are insanely reliable, and cost very little in maintenance and repair. Even a car as reliable as the Volvo T6 is still going to cost more to repair, as it's a European car.
I also looked at the TSX, but had to rule it out due to lack of horsepower. I knew that on a long road trip with 4 passengers, it was going to run out of breath, although it was probably the most fun to drive. The V6 TSX is very rare. As much as I love the IS250, it is extremely slow as well. The IS350 is a stellar pick, with ventilated seats and a good sound system, not to mention an extremely powerful V6. However, the entire market knows this, and they are expensive. The TL had good power, and I personally love the way the 2008 looks, but I would have been kicking myself for not getting the manual Type-S, and I couldn't find any for sale.
The 2012 S60 T6 is very comfortable, very attractive (especially with the RD rear end), and unlike any of the other cars, has AWD, which has been great for road trips. It's nearly as quick as the IS350, and for a 2012 has decent tech inside and audio. I'm happy with my choice.
Edit: I also considered the ES350, which is comfortable on a whole new level. However, due to the 3.5 V6, the car had terrible torque steer and handled like a battleship. The comfort factor was a 10/10 but driving was 1/10, even though it's quick in a straight line.
Never underestimate the "luxury" of having a car, having a car that runs, and having a car that runs that you can afford.
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
