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Volvo V70 / XC70
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Comments
Oh, and LancerFixer - I wouldn't be blasting the tunes with my kids in the car, of course! Row, row, row your boat just doesn't have that much base anyway.
Took the car in @ 17,000 miles to have the brakes checked and they were ok, but @ 24,500 had to have new pads, rotors and disc kit in front $385.10, dealer stated this is normal wear. Have had a recurring oil drip at the turbo, An alignment was $147.58! We're now at 28,000 and have been getting recurring reminders regarding the need for an $1,100 - 30,000 mile service, I could go on.
When this car clears warranty it's gone. It's unfortunate Volvo is no longer producing reliable vehicles. We had multiple Toyota AWD wagons with great satisfaction. I guess it's either Volkswagen or Subaru now that Toyota has scraped the AWD wagon line. We don't like high profile SUV's and the selection of AWD wagons isn't good.
Well, I'm with you on the not liking SUVs part, but the selection of AWD wagons has never been better. We've got:
VW Passat
Volvo XC
Subaru Forester (I don't care what anyone says; it's NOT an SUV.)
Subaru Outback
Subaru Impreza
Audi A4
Audi A6
Mercedes Benz E Class
BMW 325xi
Granted, these selections tend toward the pricey end of the scale, and it's too bad Toyota basically considers the Highlander to be its Camry wagon, but I think they serve as a nice counterbalance to the lemmings in their SUVs.
Also, my daughter is almost 4 years old. I had her sit in the 3rd row seat to see how well she fit and the seatbelt cut across her face so it appears she's too small still for the 3rd row. Does anyone have small children that sit in the 3rd row and what are your experiences with the seatbelt?
as I recall, the locking clip is built into the seatbelt on the V70. Look on the backside of the latch and I think there is a red slider you move to lock the seatbelt length.
Regarding the small child issue, our son is 5 but he is an only child so he sits in the 2nd row on one of the built in boosters (which are much better than any aftermarket booster I might add). Personally I wouldn't put a child in a 3rd row seat unless it was for just short trips around town (never anywhere at highway speed with danger of being rear-ended by a large vehicle - say a semi). If you have a large family and have to use a 3rd row seat I would seriously consider moving to one of the few high safety rated minivans instead (or wait for the Volvo SUV if you must).
Good luck.
-rdo
rdollie@worldnet.att.net
I'm not sure who told you 3 months but it isn't true. I'm in New England and wanted an XC with the Nav and upgraded stereo. The dealer did a search for it and came up with zero. So I ordered from the factory and it took 6 weeks. I pick up my fully loaded Nautic Blue XC tommorrow 8/3. Hopefully it will treat me better than my 99 Grand Cherokee ever did. Good Luck....
for the first time since my 83 528e bmw....I can say i am totally happy!!
I test drove a C230Kompressor today, which has 190 some odd horses. It's a little 3300lb coupe, and it performed well with the engine (not amazing, but good enough to feel comfortable buying it). I'm thinking the same horsepower won't feel quite as nice in the volvo with an extra 400lbs.
We have a 4.0L sohc 205hp/250ftlb engine in our explorer. That's a relativly heavy (4166+) vehicle, and it needs all of that engine to get it flying... it is quick with the power plant (once the revs catch up).
To look at a $35K+ vehicle, and it only have 5 cylinders, is a bit disconcerting to my basic sensibilities... especially considering the bad press on service I have heard about. I hope to be proven wrong, as we liked the car basically.
I test drove a C230Kompressor today, which has 190 some odd horses. It's a little 3300lb coupe, and it performed well with the engine (not amazing, but good enough to feel comfortable buying it). I'm thinking the same horsepower won't feel quite as nice in the volvo with an extra 400lbs.
We have a 4.0L sohc 205hp/250ftlb engine in our explorer. That's a relativly heavy (4166+) vehicle, and it needs all of that engine to get it flying... it is quick with the power plant (once the revs catch up).
To look at a $35K+ vehicle, and it only have 5 cylinders, is a bit disconcerting to my basic sensibilities... especially considering the bad press on service I have heard about. I hope to be proven wrong, as we liked the car basically.
It helps a lot to have a manual transmission. In fact, personally, I'd go with a regular V70 over the XC BECAUSE I can get it with a manual transmission. I know, I represent like 10 percent of the buying demographic, but there it is.
Re: your Explorer vs. the Volvo. Yes, they weigh about the same, but the Volvo is much more aerodynamic, and it has a five-speed automatic vs. a four-speed.
It's important not to tie a vehicles overall performance to a number. If the car feels right, buy it. I've driven the last generation XC and found it to have plenty of power. I'm not sure how much weight it's gained in the redesign, though.
Do you understand what I am getting at? A car that's right for you may be totally wrong for me. Given that, there are still some basic facts everybody should be able to agree on. Right?
By the way, the Explorer does have a 5 speed Auto, not a 4. This has been a great car for us. It is AWD, gets ok gas mileage for its class (21 avg), and has alot of zip when you need it. The bad points are the same as for most US cars -- road noise and cheap seats.
All I have to say is that there are too many people out their driving SUV's as if they were sedans. That and poor tire manufacture.
"...Escape(tin can on wheels) ..."
Have to agree with you. Better handling than I expected though.
"...C230(enough room to fit a person if he straddles the stick)..."
You are either 7 ft tall, or have never test drove this car. It was very roomy for a coupe, and the back seats felt easier to sit in than the S60.
Basic facts? Well, I can agree that there is alot of give and take out there when you are trying to decide on a car. My question is "how does the XC perform in the real world"?
Also, what sort of mpg are you getting so far?
Thanks!
Kirk
Quicker - Volvo to me
Over all Power the V8s will give you that
Gas mileage - Brand new, right now I'm averaging 20 MPG
If anybody from Western suburbs of Cleveland do read my post, please tell me where you get your Volvo serviced.
Cheers.
NOW THE TURNING RADIUS IS 50' AND TAKES 2 MOVES TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS ONLY 2 COMPLETE REVOLUTIONS NOW. I'VE CALLED THE DEALER AND VOLVO IS WORKING ON THE PROBLEM. DOES ANYONE ELSE WITH 17" TIRES HAVE THEM RUBBING ON THE INNER WHEEL WELLS? YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR ABRASIONS. MAYBE THE 16" TIRES DO IT TOO!
Anybody havin the same experience?
As cars get older and the engines get out of tune it is normal for vibrations to increase but you might check out your motor mounts. A bad motor mount is the most common cause of excessive engine vibration. Motor mounts, if poorly designed, manufactured, placed or exposed to chemical attack can go out in as little as 2-3 years. They are basically giant chunks of rubber.
If your dealer is giving you the usual "Its normal" runaround you might have an independant mechanic take a look at it for you.
However, three or four times a year I take a trip up to Stowe, Vermont. This past week, for the first time, I really noticed where the base V70 does not pass muster -- that's in the mountains. On past trips when I've used the 2001 XC for the trip, the turbo always kicks in when I was ascending the occasional 7 and 10% grades. The XC always quickly accelerated up these hills. The base V70 on the other hand requires the pedal down close to the floor to maintain speed and pinned to get very smaller accelerations. This acceleration is quite important when you need to pass tractor trailors on the small NewHampshire/Vermont rolling hills that have very short slow-traffic lanes.
In regards to overall New England road driving, when driving the XC I was never lacking for power and don't remember ever needing to press the accelerator more than three-quarters of the way to the floor.
How loaded with gear/peopl are you for the VT driving?
However, I never did tow anything, nor did I have any roof or trunk mounts.
Is a trailer hitch an option on the XC?
I've got a dealer demo car with 17,500 miles in my driveway on an overnight test drive. Polar ice/taupe leather, touring package, cold weather, 3rd seat. The dealer has a "no-dicker" price of $34,500 on it.
I can't get any price guidance from Edmund's, since they don't rate this car yet. Does anyone know what "blue book retail" for this car is?
I'm grateful for any help, however I *am* comfortable driving a car that's been an orphan for a year, so please don't tell me what a mechanical disaster it's going to be.
Thanks, Tom Marincic
Toyota's are great vehicles and, in my opinion, are gold plated when it comes to reliability, but I decided that I just didn't want to be driving a metal box down the road. Further more, while I drive off road on a regular basis, the extremely capable 4wd abilities of the 4Runner would mostly go to waste. The 4Runner does have a great stability control system, similar to the Subaru VDC.
I'm going to go with the XC, probably a 2002 via the overseas delivery. I've never owned a Volvo, and I really don't know anyone who has, but my vanity requires I drive something a little different. I'm guessing that the Volvo will require a bit more maintenance than a Toyota, but hopefully it won't be too bothersome. A stability control system is available on the V70. Couldn't Volvo get one to work with the XC. I'm sure they'll come out with one for the XC the model year after I buy mine.
eric
Volvo is going to require more than just a "bit" more maintence than the toyota. Its also substantially more expensive. The scheaduled 30K work alone is around $1000. Its very nice car to drive and your vanity will be very comfortable. Enjoy Europe!
Driving on the sand-
1st - If the depth of the sand is greater than your ground clearence don't slow down. You will be "plowing" sand like a boat does water. Loose enough speed and you can high center.
2nd - Lower the pressure on your tires. 10-15 PSI Is good (just bring an air pump to get them back up to road ratings). This puts more of the tire in contact with the surface and thus better traction. Handling suffers but its going to suck anyway.
3rd - Bring a bucket and a plastic shovel to dig yourself out with.
4th - Don't be afraid to get wet. The wet smoth area often has better traction than the loose sand.
5th - Do not put your thumbs inside the steering wheel. This is general offroad advice.
6th - If you have window tint don't roll your window down after you get sand in your car until you have had a chance to vaccum it out of your door and weather seals.
7th - Accept the fact that the car will always have some of that beach in it for the rest of its life.
8th - Think about extra gas, your milage will be 1/2 to 1/4 of what it was on the road.
Here's a comparo through Audiworld...
http://www.audiworld.com/news/01/allroad_xc/content.shtml
But I think you summed up the major points between the two.
George