Just leased a 2003 V70. Just from the drive home, I plan on purchasing the car after lease or will buy/lease another Volvo. I was completely happy with my 2002 Accord EX V6 Coupe, but the V70 wagon seats are extremely comfortable. I cannot say enough about them. Also, now I have room for my labs. I hope the V70 is as reliable as the Honda Accord.
My wife and I really wanted a 2003 2.4T, but apparently there aren't any in stock w/ the options we want and we need to get the car relatively quickly (within 8 weeks--and to get the one we want is 10 weeks out).
Our local dealer has a 2002 T5 w/ the packages we want (Premium, Versatility, Touring, Moondust, Geartronic) for roughly $35k. He said he can get a 2003 T5 w/ what we want from a dealer elsewhere in the state for $38k.
So, a few questions:
1. Are there any major fixes between the 2002 and 2003 that should steer us to the newer model?
2. Are these reasonable prices? $35k for last year's model seems high. $38k for this year's model comes in just about Edmund's TMV.
Any thoughts? Are people happy with their 2002 T5s?
The only major upgrade was the availability of Volvo's Telematic system, Volvo On-Call Plus for 2003. Also, the rain sensor became available. $35,000 sounds a little high, although T5's with the 3rd seat don't grow on trees. If you can't talk them down another $3-4,000 I'd opt for the new one at $38000
When the dealer replaced my Cabin Air Filter at the 15,000 mile service, I immediately noticed outside air fumes inside when driving no matter how I had the Interior Air system set. I've heard there are two different types of cabin air filters for the V70, one for those with the interior air quality sensor and one for those without. I checkd the part number on my invoice and think it is the wrong type. Can anyone tell me how to replace the filter? I've had the car into the dealer 3 times and they tell me there is nothing wrong.
Back with more issues with my '98 V70 AWD-right now the ABS/Tracs lights are on and am told is probably computer module; also the temperature/AC lights flash when turning car on and am told that is probably temperature control module; now today Check engine light on-looking at easily $1500 in repairs-is it worth it or will these electrical computer issues just 'keep on comin'? Thanks for any input
I have been looking on carsdirect at v70's, and I found that all the Volvo models are selling for really low prices (like $5,000 below invoice). Since the dealer cash is $3500, it means they are selling them at $1500 below invocie before the cash. What gives?
it may be a regional difference. Im in NYC. I just rechecked a V70 2.4T..no options..just the basic car..the CD price is exactly $5,000 below invoice. Inv$29,952, CD price $24,952. Thats $6,603 below MSRP! I cant believe it.
Good point-guess I'm just another disgruntled $38,000 car owner! I would still like to know if there is a discussion on Edmund's where I could get some input on what the long term prognosis is once the computer/electrical stuff starts getting hincky on one of these cars. Thanks for any help.
I bought a 2003 Cross Country yesterday. Last night when I watched the video about the car it showed a 60/40 split rear seat with a fold down armrest that has storage and cup holders. The car I bought has a 40/20/40 rear seat with child boosters (no third row though). The only way to get an armrest is to remove the middle seat back and flip it over. There are no cup holders or storage in it. When I looked at the car I asked about the rear seat arm rest. I was met with a blank look and was told it didn't have one. I don't think the salesman knew that much. I think that the 02's and the 04's have the armrest available. I am wondering if it was available for 03, and if I could replace my middle rear seat back with one that has the armrest. Volvomax, do you know?
Our 2001 V70 XC now has 37K on the original OEM tires, Pirelli Scorpions. We'll need new ones before winter.
Let me ask a couple of questions of the board:
1) How many miles are people getting out of their Pirelli Scorpions?
2) What are you replacing them with?
3) Car and Driver some time ago did a tire comparison and seemed to come up with the Yokohoma Go39 Geolander as a great tire for these vehicles. Has anyone replaced the Pirellis with these? (The current pricing is the same from Tire rack at $84 for either tire)
4) We had a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks some years ago on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. All the buff books rate them as THE superior winter ice tire. Ours seemed to wear very quickly and after two seasons we didn't re-install them because there wasn't enough tread left to make it worthwhile. I now see ads for Hakkapelitta , a Finish tire, that seem to have a more open design yet still has the sipe system that Blizzak pioneered. In many Volvo dealerships you see stack of Gislvaled (sp?) tires mounted on steel wheels that the dealers push as a winter package for about $1100. I don't think these have the micro sipes ,the buff books haven't rated them, and the distribution seems to be captive through Volvo dealerships as opposed to say a Tire Rack organization. For those reasons I am skeptical. Has any one had any experience with any of the above tires?
There is an entire topic here at Edmund's devoted to snow tires. Do a search for that term.
IIRC, the orginal Bridgestone Blizzaks had a dual compound so that when the "snow compound" wore away you were left with an all season tire. They also did wear quickly on dry pavement. The new models have a single compound that wear better is my understanding.
Gislaved is not easily available - the Hakka's are made by Nokian and I've only been able to find them in finer tire emporiums. Based on your user name, you must be from RI, MA, or CT. Direct Tire offers the Hakka's but at a premium price.
a volvo newbie here. we have our first child on the way and are contemplating an '03 or '04 V70 XC. Early in this thread, there was alot of discussion about free premium packages, exotic trips europe, etc. Are these still available? Also, has anyone recently purchased one in Austin or elsewhere in TX? If so, what would a fair deal on the XC with premium and touring pkgs be?
Was available in 02 with the booster seat option. Otherwise, the standard XC70 had the 40/20/40 seat. Now, the boosters work with the 40/20/40 seat. The rear cupholders are in the front armrest. Open the armrest and flip it backwards to use the cupholders.
2004's are available on the Overseas program. 2 free roundtrip tickets are part of the program. The free prem pkg was to close out the 03 models which are all gone.
Thanks VolvoMax. After doing more research even Volvo is confused. I was told by Volvo NA that the only way to get a booster seat in the 03's was on a 60/40 rear seat. When I told them I had 2 boosters on a 40/20/40 they said they didn't know that was possible.
The website for the 04's states in the pricing and specs section, that the seat becomes a 60/40 split when the booster is added. My dealer didn't seem to know for sure, but believed that no 60/40 was available for 03 in the XC70, only in the V70. It is my understanding that the armrest with cupholders was only available on a 60/40 rear seat.
My issue here is that my kids can't reach the cupholders that fold back from the front when they sit in the boosters. But if I understand you correctly Volvomax, there is no rear seat armerest with cupholders available for 03.
As far as 03 availability goes; there were a few XC70's in Chicago when I bought mine over the weekend, and Suburban Volvo in Troy Mi has several listed on their website.
The 03's for Overseas Delivery are gone, US dealers do still have some in their inventories.
The booster issue is confusing. In the reg V70 the 60/40 seat is what you get. If you got boosters in an 02 XC you got the 60/40 seat. In 03 at first you got only 1 booster with the 40/20/40 seat, then later in the year 2 boosters came w/ the 40/20/40 seat.
I have a couple of questions about some of the changes for 2004.
Volvo now includes the first 30,000 miles of service. The brochure says that this is for 4 years, but the website says it is for 3 years. Through the 2003 model year, spark plugs were required to be changed at 30,000 miles. The free service at 30,000 miles for the 2004 Volvos does not include changing the spark plugs or any fluid changes other than the oil. Does anyone know if Volvo extended the life of the plugs and the coolant beginning with the 2004 model year?
The brochure says that the base and the new 2.5T models are ULEV but doesn't say if the 2.5T AWD is ULEV. The brochure doesn't give the gas mileage, but the web site says that the 2.5T gets 1 mpg better highway mileage than the AWD. Does the AWD option result in an LEV rating?
Spark plug replacement interval is now 60,000 miles.
the 2.5T engine is rated ULEV, both for the fwd and awd cars. The difference in mileage is probably due to the AWD towing around its drive system. The T5 and R engines are rated LEV.
I was recently offered a new 2003 v70 w/leather and 2 packages for 26K and change, sticker I remember was 33320. One of the packages was no charge for, I guess, a year ending promotion. I could probably negotiate a little more off, but, the timing is not right for me just now. There are a few deals out there. The cloth models are also pretty competitive, when you can find them.
I'm seriously considering a V70. I have had minivans,cars, and now a SUV. Hated the styling of the vans, Hate the rough ride of the suv. I need space (2 kids and and dog)and I haul stuff from time to time. What kind of deals can I expect to get now. I live in the Norfolk, Virginia Beach Area and we only have 2 Volvo dealers in a 100 mile radius. Is it possible I could get a 2003 for 25K.
We are looking for a larger car to replace my wife's 92 Toyota Tercel. We have a toddler and safety is our priority. My wife likes Toyota Sienna, because she trusts Toyota's reliability. But Sienna is a little too big to us because our other car is Isuzu Trooper, a full size SUV.
As you guys know, Volvo's name is pretty attractive and I checked out Edmunds.com and found there are pretty good deals for 2003 V70. But I am wondering why Volvo give a $4000 incentive to 2003 V70?
For those who are proud V70 owners, can you share your experience on your wagons: is it reliable ? (yes, I expect you compare it with Toyota, not with Chevy ) Do you guys visit deal often to repair this or that? Thanks a lot!
Check the new Road&Track(July)for a very favorable long term road test on their V70 T5. The only negative, besides the selection of radio stations, was the depreciation. They also mentioned they destroyed 2 of the P6s with sidewall damage in 50m miles. My wife wiped out 4 in 32m miles at $200-$230 per.
R&T made a specific point on the excellent reliability of the vehicle.
IMHO high depreciation is great! The original owner/lessee gets to write off a lot of the inital purchase price off his taxes and the savvy, used buyer gets to pick up a two year old T5 for 60% or so of list price. Maybe less if the Volvo store has big rebates on new ones that diminish the value of older vehicles.
We live in a great country: people can choose to buy brand new vehicles and write off a lot of the cost and other people can choose to buy for a lot less money two year old European cars they couldn't afford to buy new (possibly because they weren't in a tax position to write off the lease).
Blockislandguy: My major issue with the substantial depreciation is PRIDE. I like to think I bought a car that has inherent and sustaining value-guess not. My other car is a 2000 Corvette which has suffered nowhere near the depreciation drop of the T5. Also, the buyout on my lease ( in Dec)is $22m which seems will be far above the market price then.
I know what you mean about the depreciation. A few months back, I had wanted to trade the car for something a little slower for my new teenage driver, but the depreciation was so outrageous, that I wouldn't have gotten enough to pay off the rest of the lease.
Anyway, it turns out that he is a decent driver, and because the lease will be up in a few months, its worth holding onto.
Alwaysed, I don't know if 22K in December,03 for a 2001 T5 is too bad. As I recall the current KBB Wholesale quoted in the current Road and Track you cited was 25K or so, before they reduced it for the 50K miles they put on the car. The major problem I see in trying to resell a used T5 is that the average person in the market for a V70 "knows" about the V70 and the V70 XC and thats it. The finer gradations within the range (turbo, non turbo, leather, T5, etc.)would be hard to point out and sell. So, maybe in the real world a T5 is worth about what a decent V70 is worth, with no premium for the high output engine, wheels, etc. I would disregard the Edmunds TMV data as not real world. (They think a 2001 V70 sells for about the same price as a S60 sedan!) At least that will be my negotiating strategy.
In any case, one of the benefits of a lease vs., a purchase is that you really have bought an option , just like an option on a stock, which you can choose to excercise if the striking price is right.
I'm also interested in a v70 wagon...but unfortunately I live in the SF bay area. This is the most expensive place on earth (at least for real estate, gas, etc). Anyway...
I checked the local volvo website in Concord (60 miles from SF) and they are SUPER high in terms of price.
I saw a pre owned 2002 xc70 listed at $42K! Can you believe that?!?
Wanted to email them and ask them if they had more of the coke they were snorting when they listed that price. Then for kicks, I went to volvo of Canada's site...for $31K USD you can get a new v70 w/titanium pkg. Something tells me I'll be getting my volvo from out of state (or at least somewhere they don't have the stones to charge $1.90 for gas).
We are looking into the base V70. There seems to be some good deals in the 2003 models. A few questions:
Can you fit three car seats in the back seat? We were looking at minivans but can only seat two in second row so with three kids you must use the third row and lose all of the cargo space (that I want a minivan for in the first place), except sienna
If car did not come with third seat, can it be installed aftermarket and at what cost?
I think you're going to have problems with almost any wagon and 3 car seats. Like my Saab, the V70 back seat is contoured, so the middle seat would probably be kind of wobbly and the kids would be so crammed together. In a wagon, actually, the Merc Sable/Ford Taurus wagon has a flat back seat which is very roomy (used to own one.) And they come standard with the third row seat, though I'd never put my kid in one. Tons of storage, even under cargo floor. You might check it out. As much room as a Ford Explorer but better mileage, and nice power (if you go with the Duratec 200 hp engine, not the Vulcan.) If you can't handle a Ford product, look maybe at the Toyota Highlander. Also a roomy back seat, with minimal contouring -- might accommodate 3 seats. And it's really a glorified wagon, not a true SUV. And P.S., with a car fully loaded, no I don't think the base v70 will give you enough power. Good luck.
Have a 2003 V70 2.4T with about 2500 miles. Transition from coast to drive either in traffic around 40 mph or in stop and go traffic or parking lot bumps is not smooth . Seems to stumble a bit then is ok. Dealer says "don't see any problem at this time". Transition cannot compare to the two 960's I traded in otherwise I am satisfied. This is really annoying to me. Anyone else sense this ?
I was my car weekly, because I hate dirty cars. Anyway, this weekend while I was washing my car, I noticed a new paint chip on the roof. However, when I looked at the chip closer, I found that it was rusting! I was in total shock. Here is my question...
1) if this is not my imagination, and really is rust, what is the dealer going to do with it? 2) This doesn't seem normal. I spend $40k for a volvo wagon, and its rusting after two years? My VW Rabbit didn't rust in the 10 years I owned it. Is this the kind of quality I can expect from volvo from now on?
Hmm...sounds like something chipped the paint badly enough to go through not only the paint but the primer and any base coats as well. This is not unheard of. I don't know if Volvo will do anything about it, but a good body shop certainly can.
I wouldn't worry too horribly about it. I've got a similar chip on the hood of my Accord that's been there for three years; the rust hasn't spread from the point of impact (and it was an impact...I watched the stone fall off the truck and hit my car <grumble.>
Hmm...sounds like something chipped the paint badly enough to go through not only the paint but the primer and any base coats as well. This is not unheard of. I don't know if Volvo will do anything about it, but a good body shop certainly can.
I wouldn't worry too horribly about it. I've got a similar chip on the hood of my Accord that's been there for three years; the rust hasn't spread from the point of impact (and it was an impact...I watched the stone fall off the truck and hit my car <grumble.>
All steel will rust. Usually it is just surface corrosion when the paint gets chipped away and typically will not spread. With that in mind, you should try to clean it up and cover it with touch up paint or take it to a body shop if it is bad enough.
Paint chips happen. I doubt the dealer/Volvo will do anything unless the paint is actually failing.
The car went in for the 2nd time this month, for more electrical work yesterday. I'm convinced, that no one should ever buy the first year of a new model/redesign, because volvo seems to have a problem with getting electrical systems right.
Anyway, the dealership had a bodyshop guy come and take a look at the chip to see what it was, and he determined that it wasn't rust. Apparently, they then used some really power solvent on the chip to clean it, and then touched it up for me (at no charge).
I go to a great dealership, but the only problem is that it is 45 minutes away from my house, and to have to keep taking the car up there all the time is real quite annoying because its not even on my way to work.
Thanks for all the input. Hopefully all the electrical problems and other problems (ie. rattles) are fixed.
I have a 2003 V70. When I got out of the car on my way home from taking delivery, I noticed a burning smell. I called the dealership I purchased the car from and they indicated this is from a coating Volvo puts on the car's engine when they ship it, the dealership said it would go away after the first 500-800 miles. I took in my car for the first oil change at a closer dealership and had them look at my question, they said it may occur up to 10,000.00 miles???
I've had 3 Volvos in the past 7 years, the current is a V70 T5 and do not remember any such smell in any of them. It sounds like something got sprayed, or is dripping on the exhaust system.
Is a rust inhibitor sprayed on the underbody to protect the car during the ocean crossing. Sometimes the goo gets onto the exhaust and burns off, giving you the smell. Also, in some cases you may even see some "smoke" from the underbody. Mercedes used to be really bad about that. I can't tell you how often I'd pull up to a traffic light in a new Benz and have smoke billowing out from underneath! People would shout at me that my car was on fire.
The middle seat probably won't handle three car seats, but the best way to find out is take your three seats to the dealership and find out. Volvo makes specific child seats also- $$$. They also offer built in booster seats as an option for the second row. The third row is pretty much for emergencies. It'll hold two kids, but they'll be chewing their knee caps the entire time.
I have the base V70 ('02) engine/AT combo, and it works fine. Our family of four with all luggage had no problems with the hills in eastern Tennessee when others were slowing down, although the 5 speed auto tended to shift up rather than hold a lower gear. With the cruise control set to 70, using premium, we averaged 30+ MPG, a pleasant surprise
Hi, I like my Ford Taurus Wagon, but am thinking about an upgrade to the Volvo v70 base model. I like a standard transmission, which is only availabe on the base model or highest model. I park on the street in DC and my bumper gets bumped quite a bit. My Taurus bumper is completely scratched up and looks terrible. I don't want an SUV, but am hoping that the way the Volvos' bumper is designed that it will wear better than my Taurus'. Does anyone have any feedback?
Sosborne301, putting an aftermarket bra on the front of the car might offer some protection to what is a very exposed nose. Tonight while working in our driveway I happened to back our Jeep Grand Cherokee close to the nose of our 2001 V70XC (which is already an inch or so higher than a regular V70). The bottom of the Jeep bumper was nearly above the Volvo hood where it opens. Scary.
Comments
Our local dealer has a 2002 T5 w/ the packages we want (Premium, Versatility, Touring, Moondust, Geartronic) for roughly $35k. He said he can get a 2003 T5 w/ what we want from a dealer elsewhere in the state for $38k.
So, a few questions:
1. Are there any major fixes between the 2002 and 2003 that should steer us to the newer model?
2. Are these reasonable prices? $35k for last year's model seems high. $38k for this year's model comes in just about Edmund's TMV.
Any thoughts? Are people happy with their 2002 T5s?
Also, the rain sensor became available.
$35,000 sounds a little high, although T5's with the 3rd seat don't grow on trees.
If you can't talk them down another $3-4,000 I'd opt for the new one at $38000
Many thanks.
Let me ask a couple of questions of the board:
1) How many miles are people getting out of their Pirelli Scorpions?
2) What are you replacing them with?
3) Car and Driver some time ago did a tire comparison and seemed to come up with the Yokohoma Go39 Geolander as a great tire for these vehicles. Has anyone replaced the Pirellis with these? (The current pricing is the same from Tire rack at $84 for either tire)
4) We had a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks some years ago on a Jeep Grand Cherokee. All the buff books rate them as THE superior winter ice tire. Ours seemed to wear very quickly and after two seasons we didn't re-install them because there wasn't enough tread left to make it worthwhile. I now see ads for Hakkapelitta , a Finish tire, that seem to have a more open design yet still has the sipe system that Blizzak pioneered. In many Volvo dealerships you see stack of Gislvaled (sp?) tires mounted on steel wheels that the dealers push as a winter package for about $1100. I don't think these have the micro sipes ,the buff books haven't rated them, and the distribution seems to be captive through Volvo dealerships as opposed to say a Tire Rack organization. For those reasons I am skeptical. Has any one had any experience with any of the above tires?
IIRC, the orginal Bridgestone Blizzaks had a dual compound so that when the "snow compound" wore away you were left with an all season tire. They also did wear quickly on dry pavement. The new models have a single compound that wear better is my understanding.
Gislaved is not easily available - the Hakka's are made by Nokian and I've only been able to find them in finer tire emporiums. Based on your user name, you must be from RI, MA, or CT. Direct Tire offers the Hakka's but at a premium price.
Also, has anyone recently purchased one in Austin or elsewhere in TX? If so, what would a fair deal on the XC with premium and touring pkgs be?
Otherwise, the standard XC70 had the 40/20/40 seat.
Now, the boosters work with the 40/20/40 seat.
The rear cupholders are in the front armrest.
Open the armrest and flip it backwards to use the cupholders.
2004's are available on the Overseas program.
2 free roundtrip tickets are part of the program.
The free prem pkg was to close out the 03 models which are all gone.
The website for the 04's states in the pricing and specs section, that the seat becomes a 60/40 split when the booster is added. My dealer didn't seem to know for sure, but believed that no 60/40 was available for 03 in the XC70, only in the V70. It is my understanding that the armrest with cupholders was only available on a 60/40 rear seat.
My issue here is that my kids can't reach the cupholders that fold back from the front when they sit in the boosters. But if I understand you correctly Volvomax, there is no rear seat armerest with cupholders available for 03.
As far as 03 availability goes; there were a few XC70's in Chicago when I bought mine over the weekend, and Suburban Volvo in Troy Mi has several listed on their website.
The booster issue is confusing.
In the reg V70 the 60/40 seat is what you get.
If you got boosters in an 02 XC you got the 60/40 seat.
In 03 at first you got only 1 booster with the 40/20/40 seat, then later in the year 2 boosters came w/ the 40/20/40 seat.
Volvo now includes the first 30,000 miles of service. The brochure says that this is for 4 years, but the website says it is for 3 years. Through the 2003 model year, spark plugs were required to be changed at 30,000 miles. The free service at 30,000 miles for the 2004 Volvos does not include changing the spark plugs or any fluid changes other than the oil. Does anyone know if Volvo extended the life of the plugs and the coolant beginning with the 2004 model year?
The brochure says that the base and the new 2.5T models are ULEV but doesn't say if the 2.5T AWD is ULEV. The brochure doesn't give the gas mileage, but the web site says that the 2.5T gets 1 mpg better highway mileage than the AWD. Does the AWD option result in an LEV rating?
the 2.5T engine is rated ULEV, both for the fwd and awd cars.
The difference in mileage is probably due to the AWD towing around its drive system.
The T5 and R engines are rated LEV.
As you guys know, Volvo's name is pretty attractive and I checked out Edmunds.com and found there are pretty good deals for 2003 V70. But I am wondering why Volvo give a $4000 incentive to 2003 V70?
For those who are proud V70 owners, can you share your experience on your wagons: is it reliable ? (yes, I expect you compare it with Toyota, not with Chevy
Because 2004's are already on the lot - at least according to my local dealer's website. They only have one 2003 left.
R&T made a specific point on the excellent reliability of the vehicle.
We live in a great country: people can choose to buy brand new vehicles and write off a lot of the cost and other people can choose to buy for a lot less money two year old European cars they couldn't afford to buy new (possibly because they weren't in a tax position to write off the lease).
Anyway, it turns out that he is a decent driver, and because the lease will be up in a few months, its worth holding onto.
AS
In any case, one of the benefits of a lease vs., a purchase is that you really have bought an option , just like an option on a stock, which you can choose to excercise if the striking price is right.
I checked the local volvo website in Concord (60 miles from SF) and they are SUPER high in terms of price.
I saw a pre owned 2002 xc70 listed at $42K! Can you believe that?!?
Wanted to email them and ask them if they had more of the coke they were snorting when they listed that price. Then for kicks, I went to volvo of Canada's site...for $31K USD you can get a new v70 w/titanium pkg. Something tells me I'll be getting my volvo from out of state (or at least somewhere they don't have the stones to charge $1.90 for gas).
GregC
Can you fit three car seats in the back seat? We were looking at minivans but can only seat two in second row so with three kids you must use the third row and lose all of the cargo space (that I want a minivan for in the first place), except sienna
If car did not come with third seat, can it be installed aftermarket and at what cost?
Is 168 HP adequate?
Thanks in advance
If you can't handle a Ford product, look maybe at the Toyota Highlander. Also a roomy back seat, with minimal contouring -- might accommodate 3 seats. And it's really a glorified wagon, not a true SUV.
And P.S., with a car fully loaded, no I don't think the base v70 will give you enough power. Good luck.
1) if this is not my imagination, and really is rust, what is the dealer going to do with it?
2) This doesn't seem normal. I spend $40k for a volvo wagon, and its rusting after two years? My VW Rabbit didn't rust in the 10 years I owned it. Is this the kind of quality I can expect from volvo from now on?
Thoughts?
AS
I wouldn't worry too horribly about it. I've got a similar chip on the hood of my Accord that's been there for three years; the rust hasn't spread from the point of impact (and it was an impact...I watched the stone fall off the truck and hit my car <grumble.>
I wouldn't worry too horribly about it. I've got a similar chip on the hood of my Accord that's been there for three years; the rust hasn't spread from the point of impact (and it was an impact...I watched the stone fall off the truck and hit my car <grumble.>
Paint chips happen. I doubt the dealer/Volvo will do anything unless the paint is actually failing.
Anyway, the dealership had a bodyshop guy come and take a look at the chip to see what it was, and he determined that it wasn't rust. Apparently, they then used some really power solvent on the chip to clean it, and then touched it up for me (at no charge).
I go to a great dealership, but the only problem is that it is 45 minutes away from my house, and to have to keep taking the car up there all the time is real quite annoying because its not even on my way to work.
Thanks for all the input. Hopefully all the electrical problems and other problems (ie. rattles) are fixed.
AS
Any thoughts? Who is right?
Thanks, Hotmale in atlanta, georgia
Sometimes the goo gets onto the exhaust and burns off, giving you the smell. Also, in some cases you may even see some "smoke" from the underbody.
Mercedes used to be really bad about that. I can't tell you how often I'd pull up to a traffic light in a new Benz and have smoke billowing out from underneath! People would shout at me that my car was on fire.
I have the base V70 ('02) engine/AT combo, and it works fine. Our family of four with all luggage had no problems with the hills in eastern Tennessee when others were slowing down, although the 5 speed auto tended to shift up rather than hold a lower gear. With the cruise control set to 70, using premium, we averaged 30+ MPG, a pleasant surprise
I like my Ford Taurus Wagon, but am thinking about an upgrade to the Volvo v70 base model. I like a standard transmission, which is only availabe on the base model or highest model. I park on the street in DC and my bumper gets bumped quite a bit. My Taurus bumper is completely scratched up and looks terrible. I don't want an SUV, but am hoping that the way the Volvos' bumper is designed that it will wear better than my Taurus'. Does anyone have any feedback?