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IN August we attended a Volvo sales event, where they demonstrated the prototype of their ISOFIX child seat.
The latching mechanism of the Fisher Price is not similar to the one we saw on the "demo" Volvo child safety seat. The "Volvo" had a rigid frame (HUGE you can see it in the Volvo car brochure) with rigid bars that "snap" into the "loops" welded to the car without problem.
The "Safe Embrace" has 2 straps (similar to seat belts) attached to it, that end with captive hooks - similar to what you have at the end of the "tether" strap most new seats have today.
It is difficult to get these hooks into the ISOFIX loops if you use the Volvo supplied ISOFIX plastic adapter. If you do not use it, the hooks will wear out your seat covers...
It is even more difficult to disengage the hooks. We gave up on the hassle and left the car seat permanently attached in the car.
It is indeed more secure - the car seat is firmly installed in place (rear facing) - and we have also attached the "back tether" to one of the load anchor loops on the floor of the vehicle. It is rock solid.
Regarding location - yes, it can be only directly behind one of the front seats. No middle position. This is not a car for a family with 2 small children if you would like to seat an adult in the back seat as well.
The invoice on the 2.4 you are describing (assuming it is an automatic) is $34,642.00
(plus any MACO fees) I would try $500.00 over invoice, and settle no higher than
$1,000.00 over. Remember your best ammunition is information. do your research. Look for more info on the car (inlcuding invoice pricing and TMV) here at Edmunds. Print out this info and take it to the dealer with you for leverage.
Good luck
I started looking at a used '98 V70 today and test drove it. Seams on the surface to be a good wagon. I can compare most of my "reasons" stated above with the V70 except for dependability and cost of ownership. I have a fear that if a Volvo goes in for service one had better bring the "gold card".. Any comments on the reliability of a late model V70 and the cost of ownership?
Also can the V70 tow, if so how much weight? Salesman could not address that..
Thanks
MACO is a dealer advertising fee that Volvo charges to the dealers. It varies, and is nonexistent in some areas. Here in so. Cal it is about $250.00.
Prior to our new T5, I had a '98 XC. While it was a decent car, I only really needed the AWD once in the snow. It does give a little confidence boost when driving in the rain. Overall the decrease in mileage and performance along the added complexity for future reliability issues turned me to the T5 and I could not be happier.
Good luck
Steve
I couldn't find a previous post for this so I apologize if this is a dupe. I'm looking at the '01 V70 brouchure and mentions that the T5 comes standard with the Stability Traction Control System (STC) but there is also an option for Dynamic Stability Traction Control (DSTC).
Does anyone know what the difference is? Is (DSTC) in addition to (STC) or an upgrade/replacement?
I don't exactly understand the difference.
Thanks!
-Phil
minamip, STC is all-speed traction control. DSTC is all-speed traction control combined with an all-speed yaw control system. The latter will keep you from sliding off the road in many situations and in most emergency situations is much more useful than a traction control system. If you had to have either or I would recommend a yaw control system but since DSTC is a combination of both it is definitely the way to go if it is in your budget (I know for a fact since it saved me from a major accident in the snow about a year ago in Boston).
Good luck.
-rdo
rdollie@home.com
Thanks, ROD!! You've convinced me! With one child and another on the way, I think this is the way for us. Glad to hear that there was no *ignore*!
-Pail
Just after I picked up my new V70 T5 4 weeks ago, I noticed condensation inside my headlamps also. The dealer said let it wait to see if clears up on its own---it did. Interestingly, I had the same problem, but much more severe, on a '92 Cad ST. The dealer, immediately, replaced both headlamp units. So far, no problems on acceleration.
Did the battery problem return?
Ed
I'm about to pick up my new T-5 this week. Should I stall and wait until the Feb money factor comes out? How reliable is your source.
Oh by the way, the choice between the CC and T-5 was easy. T-5 has a much better ride. I would go with the T-5, unless you are driving up to the mountains every -wend.
spoke to two differnt dealers today..both told me this rate(00.285)will remain at least thru end of feb. the only thing that could lower this current lease rate,would be,if volvo came out with a price lowering program....still.. the current lease rate i was quoted was $50 bucks cheaper than the one i was quoted in December..Veeikle
I bought the car for $35,925.00 plus Dealer Destination charge of $575.00 totaling $36,500.00. My salesman said there was nothing he could do about the destination charge so I told him to write it up!!! I put $15,000.00 down and financed the balance @ 6.9% financing. I have a payment that I can live with and hope that this car will last me at least 10 years. My salesman says the first service is at 7,500 miles and I should rotate the tires at this time as well. Should cost me $99.00 total. Should I rotate the tires sooner??? Like 5000 miles. Any input on how I should proceed with maintenance will be greatly appreciated. Again, thanks for all your input - I really feel I bought a great (and safe)car for my family.
BTW, if you are ever down in Naples and see an old bald headed veteran with a VFW bumper sticker driving a spiffy Crown Vic, say hi to my dad. He is retired there and his biggest joy in life is telling me how he had to turn on his air conditioner in January when I can't find my windshield scraper.
Happy Motoring
Steve
Dude, that's like half the population of Florida. :-)
We just picked up a 01 V70 AC on Monday night. We, too, have condensation in both head lamps. I haven't checked to see if it's cleared up.
-
The 7500 mile tire rotation is about right. That was the trigger for my '98 V70 AWD R and I got 40m+ from the high performance Michelin Pilots. Also, I fully agree about the lack of need for all wheel drive. One of my new V70 T5 appealling attributes is the savings of $2500 and 250lbs. But, so far(2500 miles), the fuel mileage is less than my '98.
Also, if you got the Versatility Package, make certain your salesperson shows you how to access the spare tire. The directions in the Owner's Manual assumes you have the standard hatch lid, not the Versatility hatch.
The exhaust noise at idle is one of the reasons I am not driving a V70 today. It was a low rumble that was very distracting.
Other problems: the in-dash upholder. A close look at a brochure picture shows that a cell phone key pad is supposed to go there instead.
I hate to see dead switches. I want all the gadgets and all the switches to be operational.
Plus, every now and then there are some very distressing posts on here about Volvo reliability problems.
So ,even though I lust for a V70 wagon, I guess I'm keeping the quiet and reliable Dodge Caravan.
The dealer replaced the entire head lamp assembly on the second visit (replacing gaskets around the bulbs on visit #1 did not work - after mostly evaporating, condensation returned with a vengeance after a good rain). Regarding the dead battery - a much less positive outlook: my new V70 has 400 miles on the odometer and is sitting in the dealer's service department for the third time since I took delivery three weeks ago. They can't locate the problem. Something in the electrical system is draining the battery overnight. Also, that thumping sensation in the steering column I described in my original post (#106) required replacement of the steering wheel counter shaft. I've never had a new car with so many major defects right out of the gate.
I have a 2001 T5 and there is this irritating creaking noise that comes from the -pillars (I think... it's the ones between the front and rear doors) while driving over bump roads. I believe the plastic parts covering the pillar are causing the noise. I've tried "lubricating" the joints between the pieces with Amour All but it doesn't seem help. Any suggestions?
Has anyone else noticed this? If so, what did you do to fix it?
I expected stuff like this on my old Ply mouth Voyager but not on a car this expensive!
I was just reading on Cosco's site about LATCH - "This new system, which will be completely implemented by 9-1-2002, is called LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children"
Apparently, there is a bar that tethers can anchor to from the bottom of the car seat to the this bar, so you don't need the adult seat belts at all. I have not located any info if the Volvo's for 2001 have this or not.
Does anyone have any info on this?
Thanks!
-Phil
thanx,
john b
3rd Row Safety of V70?
Does anyone know about integral child seats in the XC?
What roof racks are available for the V70? Do they create a lot of road noise? Cost? Can you do a roof rack and a bike rack?
Thanks.
Travis
Thanks alot in advance.
MDX wait time too long: You can get out-of-state delivery. I have a local friend(SF Bay area) who bought his MDX from Oregan and his wait time was less than 2 months. But if you don't want to put in the extra work for this, go with ML or XC.
ML: It's also a great vehicle as many posts have discussed. Three kids should be able to fit the 2nd row although it might be a little tight when compared with MDX which is wider. It also has the 3rd seat that expands the total seating to 7. Its safety features are excellent.
XC: The 2nd row should be very similar to ML's. But its 3rd seat is useless. And it's not an SUV -- no high seating, but drives/rides better. Safety features are also great. I personally think XC has the best safety among the three.
Hope this helps...
Can anyone recommend a good salesperson to deal with at Jim Fisher Volvo in Portland, OR? How about experience with their service department?
Thanks,
Sorry to break your heart, but don't go with a Volvo or any wagon with three little ones! I've "been there, done that" and it just does not work. It's difficult to place one in the rear center, they "interfere" with each other when old enough to move about, and it's totally impractical. You need three rows of seats that can be accessed easily and quickly! I'd never consider putting a young child in a third Volvo seat.
It won't be long until you are into the carpooling scene and need extra seats. Only a mini-van will give you that availability.
My children are all now teenagers, and we finally have said goodbye to our third mini-van and I now drive an s.u.v. We were able to have a Volvo (have owned four) as a second car and considered ourselves lucky! But you just don't have the versatility with a wagon that you do with a mini-van...they are a must for active families! Even on short trips kids need their own space and thus three rows of seats save a lot of stress on parents. Good Luck and Enjoy!
The MDX seemed to have a pretty nice third seat for a child and it folds down instead of having to remove it. The second seat seemed a little wider also. I don't think the Volvo's back seat is going to work very well with three car seats, but you can cart all three seats over to the dealership and give them a shot. Maybe if you squeeze them in there just right...
I would suggest taking a look at some of the luxury minivans. When you are taking trips with three toddlers it would certainly be nice to pop down that television screen and put in a tape. When they are older you can all four listen to different music for each chair has its own system or they could play video games on the television. Most even have climate controls just for the rear. Minivans really can be very nice and they have changed dramatically in the last few years.
I know this advise may seem like a bitter pill, but trust me, you will thank us later when you see how much more convenient your life is with a more appropriate car. In one year you will recognize that sanity is much more important than the type of car you drive.
Our sales manager apparently would like us to accept the loose steering and has explained to us that the steering will correct itself as the car's computer 'learns' our driving habits. He has stated that many functions of the car are adjusted in this manner by the computer learning the drivers habits. This includes, according to them, adjustment of brake pedal sensitivity.
Can any one help us? Have you experienced similar situations? Know whether this feature actually works? Or, have any insight that may help us accept or reject this car with what we consider to be less than optimal handling in the steering department?
The only thing the computer will "learn" and adjust to is the shift points of the transmission. It will not have any effect on the steering or brakes. I have noticed after 5,000 miles my brakes are not as touchy as when new, however they are still very sensitive. As for the steering, I don't notice the loose steering you are describing. Maybe the two cars had different tires. Mine has the Pirelli P6000's.
I would confront him with this and see what he says. Let us know how it turns out.
I have a 2001 T5 with the "mysterious" Pirelli P6s on it and, so far, they handle quite well. Neither Volvo nor Pirelli has any data on the P6s, but Tire Rack now offers a 235/45/17 Pirelli P6 as a "light truck/Suv" tire. I hope Volvo hasn't foisted such a tire on us-I would very disappointed with Volvo.
thanks,
steve
ssheldon1 - Noticed you said you have three children. Are you thinking about having all three of your children sit in the 2nd row seats. Have you test drove with the three of them in the 2nd row? Were they comforable?
Thanks.
Travis
Thanks for the feedback.