I was out this weekend car shopping and have come down to the XC60 or the Audi Q5. The Q5 is a nice machine and only a few thousand more than the XC60.

The real problem is supply. Neither is readily available, especialy the FWD XC60. I perfer that model for the much improved mpg's as my wife and I ravel to Florida 5-6 times a year. 2010 is the second model year for the Q5 and they are still selling ahead of delivery to the dealer.

I have never owned a Volvo before but have owned a couple Audi's. Volvo's warranty us far superior but the seems the Volvo car tends to depreciate a bit faster than the Audi. Am I wrong here?

I have some hesitation buying a first year model car. General Thoughts or insights to Volvo's dependability and design quality?

Tom
Cincinnati, Ohio

1990 Miata Supercharged
2004 Miata OEM Turbo
2008 Mini Coper Clubman S (to be sold)
2008 Mercedes Benz C300

 

I replaced a 2006 Volvo XC90 V8 with a 2009 Q5 3.2 S Line.

I don't remember having any issues with the Volvo other than depreciation, like you said. I had entertained trading the XC90 on my next vehicle near the end of the lease, but it wasn't even worth the residual. It was about CAD $78K when I leased it with a residual of CAD $40K. The Volvo dealer ended up buying it off lease and offered to sell it to me for CAD $31K. None of the Audi's I have owned have ever depreciated like that.

I didn't really have the opportunity to shop the XC60 as they hadn't landed by the time I took delivery of the Q5, but they were both contenders. I only had to drive the Q5 for about 20 minutes before I was sold on it. I had to wait a few months for mine, but it was definitely worth the wait.

If you are looking for gas mileage and can wait a bit, get yourself into the Q5 2.0T that should be available in North America for 2011.

Good luck with your purchase!

OT: I've had a few Miata's as well, including the 04 Mazdaspeed!