Volvo actually sells seat covers through their parts department. From what I have been reading, Volvo seats are a unique breed and things like car seats & seat covers may be hard to fit. There is a link to xc90 accessories from the xc90 website or just follow the link from your "manual in motion" dvd you got with the car. I too am looking at the covers/booster seat for my 2.5T.
A12, I'd try a google.com, altavista.com and/or teoma.com search for starters, but it may still be just a bit early for much in the way of after market stuff made specifically for the XC90.
Do any of you Volvo dealership people know when A-Plan pricing will become available for the XC90? I haven't had the chance to test drive yet, but we fell in love with it at the Miami auto show last month. Planning on going for a test drive next weekend.
I was curious too about the A-Plan pricing. Anyone heard if this will be available? My lease on my Range Rover is up in April and I think the XC90 is going to be my next vehicle.
Direct feedback from X-Plan is that it is currently not available, no definite timeframe. One dealer mentioned that late Summer 2003 might be the earliest.
Not till summer at the earliest, and then only if the demand drops off. Since Plan participation is voluntary,as long as dealers are getting full MSRP they won't entertain A or X plan deals
Don't know why I wrote 18" tires- they are the 17" wheels.
Anyway, yes, it is an AWD model (not sure if they are selling the 2-wheel version yet). As I mentioned, there were two other SUV's up there with me, and both had significantly less trouble than the XC90 in very heavy snow.
That being said, once out on the slippery roads it handled very well- as good or better than my old QX4, and is a much nicer ride.
2.5T AWD w/17" Neptune, Climate Pkg., Prem. Pkg. & Versatility Pkg. I haven't gotten a chance to drive it much, but I will shortly. My experiences with it so far have been great, it's really a great car. I will post back once I've gotten a chance to take it for a long drive. The only two things that I was disappointed in so far is that - 1. Not available with Xenon's when I ordered it. I got accustomed to these on my old '01 Audi A6Q. 2. The side view mirrors do not automatically dim at night, but the rear view mirror does. The A6Q had both.
I have 2.5T with the same set up as a12. Climate, Premium, Versatility. Here are my unsolicited impressions:
I have had it for two weeks and love it so far. The 2.5T has plenty of power for around town and has been more then ample on the highway. Passing power is there when needed and it cruises comfortably at and above posted speed limits. The car has a real 'fun' factor when driving. The 5 speed makes a big difference from a standstill although I feel first gear is too 'short'. I am much more confident in the rain and cornering with it versus my experiences in the RX300.
Inside, it is very comfortable and user friendly for the driver. There is good, but not great space between the first and second row. I have had 6' passengers in the back who were very comfortable, but little legs in car seats can kick the seat infront of them. The rear headset adapters that come with the versatility package are awesome. They would have prevented many fights on trips when I was young. The climate package rain sensing wipers are a nice feature and the heated seats work great.
I had very high expectations for the car and it hasn't disappointed during my short tenure with it. The only concerns so far would be 1.) the gas mileage - sub 18mpg in heavy city driving. I attribute this largely to the engine not being broken in yet. 2.) Engine noise. The noise is not overbearing but it is notably higher then the T6 1st through 3rd gear.
I've been mainly lurking in this forum. I put my deposit down in April for my XC90 and picked up the car on New Year's Eve. I have the 2.5 w/ climate, vers, prem and navigation.
I had originally ordered the T6, but changed the order after driving both of the cars (which is why I didn't get the car earlier). The 2.5 is replacing a 2000 ML320 (lease was up). I love this car so far. I drove it for a few hours in driving rain on New Year's and the car performed beautifully (the rain sensor was great!). It is really a pleasure to drive--very smooth and quiet. We haven't had any snow to test the car in yet. I'm hoping that the car is as sure-footed as my ML was in snow.
My ML was a good car and I enjoyed it while I had it. My main complaints were road noise (it always sounded like a window was open) and my boys were starting to outgrow the car. The oldest is only 11, but when you figure 3 children and backpacks, the space got tight quickly.
I'm still waiting for my navigation dvd to arrive, which is very annoying. I wish it came with the car. I love the stereo and the in-dash cd changer. I never used the changer in the ML since it was so ackwardly located. Having the changer in the dash is great!
I put my name on our local dealership's list on late October - I was #19. They called last week with a Silver T6 w/ Premium, Versatility & Climate; seems most people on the list ahead of me are waiting for a 2.5 or a specific color. I passed in favor of a Blue or Black. Today they called with news of the arrival of a Black/Black T6 w/ Premium, Veratility, Climate and, get this...Bi-Xenons! Two moths ago I couldn't even spell Zeenon, now my cars got em!
They couldn't explain why this car had 'em when Volvo said no Xenons 'till Feburary at the earliest - but I saw them with my own two eyes.
I don't want to get everyone started on the whole Xenon discussion again, but thought it might be hopeful news to those waiting for same.
Buying in West Michigan, paying MSRP, 3-yr lease, $732/mo, $26,190 residual, 15K mi/yr. $790 due at signing - don't ask me money factor stuff.
First week's 'road test' feedback to follow if the wife let's me drive it.
I got my XC 90 on Christmas Eve. It's wonderful. T2.5, premium, climate, versatility, silver exterior with graphite interior.
I have two small kids, ages 5 and 2.
It's a pleasure to drive. Acceleration is fine. I was worried that I'd have trouble getting on to the highway since I chose the smaller engine but since 90% of my driving is around town, it seemed like the smaller engine was the way to go. Had not truly tested acceleration till today. Today had to do a "double merge" (you know, when about four people are stuck behind some doofus and you see the entire highway is clear so you just go for it). No problem getting up to speed without a lot of car angst.
Car seats fit fine, despite a comment by an earlier recipient that he'd had trouble.
So here's my question. Is it better to go for a dealer installed NAV system or a GARMIN or Magellan? I kind of shy away from built-in's as you can't upgrade to newer technology easily. But some reviews of the top of the line GARMIN seem to imply that OEM's from Mercedes at least are better. So how is Volvo?
Hi! Thanks to all for the great info. I've been enjoying this board as a lurker for a while. I put my deposit down for an XC90 in September here at one of the two Phoenix dealers. I'm #22 on the list. I'm going nuts waiting for it. I want a 2.5t crystal green with versatility and premium packages. I was told last weekend that they thought I would probably get one this week, but no word yet. Ahhhh! Any other Arizonans in the same boat? Or taken delivery yet?
Hi...I am waiting for my T6 to be delivered but am wondering if anyone noticed that there is no arm rest for the driver's right arm. The console is too low for me. I have carpal tunnel and find that an arm rest helps. The Volvo dealer has said that there is no accessory or way to add an arm rest or raise the console. I want to find a way to make this work but will have to buy a different car (maybe the Lexus GX470) that does have an arm rest. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I ordered my T6 last week for delivery in March or April. When test driving, I forgot to check and see if the Premium Sound System comes with a cassette player in addition to the 6 CD changer. Anyone know?
I received my T6 XC90 with versatility package and 17' Pirelli Scorpion tires on Dec. 24. I put 1600 miles on it through snow, mud, sleet and rain.
It handles well through rain and snow. I took it out on an open field with compact, somewhat icy snow, and "played around" a bit. I also went through some 6-8" of snow over somewhat bumpy terrain. Considering it didn't have "snow" tires on, I think it handled as I expected. You could feel it working the tires as slippage occured, but it never failed to continue its steady progress. I did purchase cable chains for it (not through the dealer) and was able to stow them away between the two recessed 3rd row seats below the back cargo panel.
I also tested its high speed cruising. It cruises quite comfortably up to at least 100 mph. I didn't go faster than that, so can't comment on anything above 100.
I have been happy with the climate control as well. I found myself not having to fuss with it nearly as much as in previous vehicles.
The two issues (warnings) I feel everyone should be aware of are: 1) The front cup holder cover breaks if anyone tries to "lift" it instead of pushing it down to release it. It is not something that is easy to fix. I saw this in a dealer's demo XC90 and when my mother entered the car, it was the first thing she did. Be sure to tell anyone who enters you car for the first time. Volvo fixed it, but I didn't tell them how it happened.
2) Ever wonder what the little plastic sheet is over the paint in front of the rear wheel well? It is meant to protect your paint (& clearcoat) from getting chips. Because the wheel well flares out, road dirt hits the flared portion causing damage. Unfortunately, the plastic sheet doesn't cover completely to the edge of the flare and you will get chips, particularly if you drive over roads that have excessive road dirt due to snow or rain. I have asked my Volvo service representative to find out about getting new plastic sheets. I plan on removing the old ones and putting new ones on, better positioned to protect the paint. Also, the old (1 week) protective coverings are pock marked and don't look very good. I am considering the possiblity of putting two overlapping sheets on to slightly increase the width and amount of protection. I have also added mudflaps.
I will provide more info as I learn more about the vehicle.
With the front row side windows up, I rolled down a second row side window and started hearing a "whump whump whump whump" around 30-35 mph. As I went faster (40-45), it got so intense, I could feel the pressure waves. It seemed less with both second row side windows down. Either way, driving with the second row windows down makes it sound like there is a helicopter above you. Is this common for vehicles like this? I've only had sedans in the past.
Common to a lot of SUV's. I've seen the same complaint in the RX300 forum, in the MDX forum, etc. It happens with the big box without an open quarter window in the back.
Basically, the vehicle is acting like a resonance chamber. With the outside air streaming past an open window the air pressure is reduced (think Bernoulli principle). The response of the air inside the vehicle is to expand outward toward the region of low pressure.
Depending on the specifics (geometry, size, speed, etc.) of the vehicle and aperture the air rushing outward can "overshoot" resulting in the interior air pressure being even lower than the streaming air. At that point, the outside pressure is greater than the inside pressure and the airflow reverses with a rush of air into the vehicle.
The process repeats itself and you get the characteristic thumping sound.
I've seen a few reviews that liked the 5 speed transmission(2.5T) better than the 4 speed(T6), but liked the added power of the T6... so maybe that is all they meant.
Could you give us your opinion on the T6 transmission/engine? Is the shifting smooth and quick (or is there the hunting for a gear that some reviewers have described)? How is the car in stop and go driving, especially from a stop? How did you adapt to the power assist steering? Finally, how is mileage?
I have several friends who test drove about 4-6 weeks ago and really did not like the T6, my test drives were too short to really know for certain which I preferred. In fact, the salesman had me get right on the highway with the T6 and had me use the 2.5T only on city streets for about 5 minutes. Seems like I just got to drive each car where they are best suited, perhaps not a great test. The 2.5T was definitely noisier (engine) but seemed better from a stop, the T6 had that sloppy steering that I did not care for but kicked some butt once on the highway.
If everyone with a T6 keeps saying that everything is peachy it will make me wonder whether volvo tweaked the shifting etc... after the early cars went out for the press/public to play with. Is this possible?
I have a 2004 T6 on order for delivery May 2003. I like the 18 inch wheels (which according to the volvousa website you cannot get on the 2.5T) and I am willing to accept the lower gas mileage; however, after reading some of the postings on this site - I am concerned about the handling of the vehicle.
Motor Trend rated the T6 - SUV of the year, but they also commented on the handling, which Volvo indicated would be tweaked prior to general availability.
Does anyone have any more official information on what changes were made and/or are in the works for 2004?
Also - would the person that posted that s/he was going to anchor a Britax in the third row please fill me in on how that went?
If you compare equivalent vehicles then the T6 is virtually a no-cost option vs. 2.5T (although its being marketed as a premium). And why do you think that might be...?
We plunked down our deposit on a fully loaded T6 after a 45-min test drive (no salesman present) in a 2.5T and another half hour in a T6. Both got a good workout on highway and pothole-gravel roads, and both handled very very well. We liked the acceleration a bit better in the T6, and since we will be pulling a camper trailer on occasion, we went for the extra power. Shifts of the 4-speed trans were noticeable...hope Volvo comes up with something smoother by the time they build mine...but it was in no way objectionable. If you are buying most every option, as we did, the price difference is minimal. Total cost with tax and tags was just under $50k. The dealer, Don Beyer, says to expect delivery no later than June, though they are hoping for earlier. This is our first SUV--currently driving a Volvo 850R, and was not happy with the acceleration of other SUVs I tested. Now, I can't wait....June is a LONG time away. Sigh!!!
At various times over the last month our dealership (both the salesperson and the sales manager) have indicated that our T6 was suppose to arrive between 12/27 and 12/29. On Saturday Dec 21, at 9:30 in the evening we received a call from the sales manager asking us if we had cancelled our order. We told him no and he proceeded to tell us that we would have our car in a few days. He went on to describe an XC90 that was a different color and one with an xtra package, the versatility package. We told him we needed some time to consider this, but in less than 24 hours we both visited the dealership to look at other colors and placed a call to him that we would accept the car exactly as he had described to us the evening before even though it was going to cost us $2,100 more. He again confirmed that we would have the car in a few days. We have not received any calls since then from the dealership and we have placed 2 calls with the sales manager. We were able to reach him during the 1st call (about 1 week ago and he said that he had no news and that he had not yet received the invoice for the car yet, he gave us the impression that somehow the invoice information is available once the car is processed at the dock). It is several days later and my husband is concerned that we will be playing this waiting game for weeks to come and he is worried that the dealer has sold the car to someone else. We would like any advice Volvomax or anyone else educated with this XC90 process could provide. Should we be concerned? Do the dealers once the cars are loaded on the containers and being shipped not have access to the location of the vehicles and estimated delivery dates. I know when one ships something via UPS or Fedx it is pretty easy to track the locations of the package as it moves across the coountry.
here's what i've learned (or at least been told by the local dealership)... the invoice is at the dealer when it is off the ship... at that point, they are able to sell the car (if you want to sign a purcahse contract before the car gets to the dealer). the time from the dock to the dealer can vary greatly, and it is difficult for the dealer to know exactly where the car is... supposedly, they use a few trucks that make multiple trips to first deliver to dealerships closest to the port of entry, and gradually work their way to further dealers, after returning for more cars to the port of entry. not sure if this is BS or not, but that is what our dealer told us. if you want a car they say is on the way, the only sure way to get it is to sign a purchase order for one they already have an invoice for (make sure you have a copy of the invoice, and that the VIN# matches the invoice on the purchase contract... if they back out of that one, it is fraud... not a good thing for reputable dealers
Mileage: On a long trip, I received about 18-19 mpg. As for city driving, it is really very hard for me to determine. A bunch of short trips such as to the local supermarket seem to bring the mileage way down to 11 mpg, but starting an engine and then driving a short ways with long stops a stoplights can eat up gas.
Gear Hunting: The only time I noticed gear hunting was while going up long ascents at specific speeds. It didn't happen very often. When it does, you can either speed up, slow down, or easily use the manual mode to temporarily prevent hunting. I understand that in the 5 speed, this can also happen. By the way, the transmission shifts into manual quite smoothly.
Handling: This is very subjective since I've never driven another SUV except for test drives. I've driven trucks and sedans. As for high speed cornering, for the speeds I am comfortable going, it felt secure ( and I am not a slow driver ). As I've grown more accustomed to it, I have been more aggresive even in city driving. High speed traction to the road is good. Braking is very good.
Steering: I adapted to the graduated power assisted steering quickly. It is nice at low speeds such as entering and traversing a parking lot. As you speed up, you definitely feel it firm up. You don't have to worry about sloppy steering.
Acceleration: It isn't a sports car, but I still gives me enough get go off the line to race ahead to cross lanes or simply get somewhere fast. Passing at high speeds is no problem. I easily passed 2 vehicles at a time wihhout worry. Of course, this again is subjective since you may be used to a real fast sports car and having 4 seconds of visibility. But for the rest of the crowd, the power is there. However, when I was at about 6 thousand feet, 30 deg Farenheit, going about 80 mph up a relatively steep mountain pass, there wasn't a lot of quick acceleration for passing. Though it didn't provide the typically noticable thrust, it did accelerate.
If anybody is interested in specifics, please ask.
Mother of 3 here and never owned a Volvo much less a new car, I must say however if this car is everything I have seen and read about I am in love..is 41K too much to shell out for safety? I have researched alot of the other vehicles in this class as well as the newer minivans and I must say the more I read about the XC 90 the more I like it. Safety is my biggest concern right now as getting over an accident almost a year ago in a Caravan, that and I have 3 very young children. Can anyone give me any info on what this vehicle is really like? I don't want the dealer's mumbo jumbo I know the specs by heart lol. Do you love the car... hate it? what would you change? Also I noticed alot of you talking about the possibility of very little discounts would this also apply to cash sales? What do I need to be looking for when I do go and purchase.. also strictly curiosity of course but should I wait for next years models, why or why not? I want a good solid safe car for my family and by my speculations and research this hits the bullseye. I am willing to pay a bit more for a good car.
I've seen a couple of posts here (from DOS 511) and on Swedespeed.com that people have already placed orders for 2004 models, with an indication of possible May deliveries. Is this a realistic estimate of the delivery timeframe?
I spoke to a dealer this week, and he indicated they didn't expect to even start taking orders for 2004 models until this summer, with delivery probably in the October timeframe. Is is possible that different dealers have different capabilities for ordering the car?
According to my dealer - who is my only source of information - they are starting production on the 2004s in April of 2003, which would make an east coast delivery (again according to my dealer) in May possible. I can't even begin to speculate about the differences in the information we are getting.
I'm also a mother of 3. It's hard to tell you if the car is worth it or not, as that is a very personal decision.
I personally prefer SUVs over minivans. I do not like how minivans handle, but minivans are great for holding people. You have to think about how you will use the car. It certainly is much easier to load a bunch of little kids into a minivan--door slides open; kids hop in.
That said, I love this car (2.5T). It handles beautifully and is fun to drive. There is plenty of room for my children and their backpacks and stuff.
I haven't heard about any discounts, even with cash; but you can always ask. The waiting lists are so long though, I can't see what the dealers incentive is to discount. They could easily charge over list, but they don't seem to be.
I do feel as though this is a safe car. Have you driven it? Do you feel comfortable with it? My dad had it in his head that he wanted to buy my mother an Expedition, so that she would be safe--totally oblivious to that fact that she was not all all comfortable with the car (way to big for her). I had to sit him down and explain that no matter how safe the car seemed, if she wasn't comfortable driving it, she was going to increase her chances of getting into an accident.
So, drive the car--a lot. Make sure you like how it handles. If you are getting the third row, load kids in and out of it to make sure it won't drive you crazy (I have friends that won't buy an SUV because they don't like the extra steps for getting kids into the back).
As to waiting for the next model year--If you can wait, that might be wise. I think there is always some risk in buying the first model year of any car--there are a lot of unknowns. My lease was up last month, so I had no choice--I really wanted this car.
We have been following this board for some time and have only seen one comment similar to our experience.
We test drove the GX470 and the 2.5T. Our first mistake was driving the GX470 first. Our opinions of the 2.5T are as follows: A gear-like whining noise coming from the rear of the car. When sitting in the 2nd row of seats it was louder. The steering seemed twitchy and the brakes were "different". Very nice looking car and comfortable seats, however the dash was kind of ho-hum. And then we drove another one at a different dealership because we were so concerned about the noise and the noise was there, however not as loud. Our price from the dealer was $43,500 (premium, climate,versatility packages and the exterior styling kit) plus at least another $800 price increase for the 2004 model = $44,300. He indicated that at this point they are ordering the 2004's. With a 3-6 month wait. No free dealer services offered.
GX470 Wow! NO engine noise, so quiet, beautiful interior, nice brakes and so smooth. Our dealer price $47,600. Base price plus the third row seat package. Could have one like we want in 1 month. And you get a better warranty and our dealership offers some free service and discounts.
We drove both cars with our children (ages 2 & 5). No noticeable differences in the interior space. Both third row seats are not comfortable, however the 5 year old didn't seem to mind. GX470 came with standard running boards. Yet with the XC90 we have to add on the exterior styling kit to achieve this. It makes it alot easier for the kids to climb in and out of the car.
We didn't test drive the T6. At that point I was sold on the GX470. I am more concerned with the ride and handling of the car. At least test drive the GX470. For practically the same amount of money you should consider it.
Ctg, We own both of them. In our opinion it's comparing apples to oranges. The 2.5T has plenty of zip although if you haven't driven a turbo before you have to get used to the turbo lag. Even though Volvo has done a great job on the XC90 on road noise we find the engine to be a bit noisy. Still the trade off is the potential gas mileage difference. We are still breaking both cars in but with under 750 miles on both we find about 19 combined on the XC90 and just under 17 combined on the GX. The 2.5T has a much sportier feel which makes it seem more fun to drive. The Lexus is smooth, elegant and a dream to drive, but for $14k more (fully loaded) we better have gotten something for the extra $$. There is no comparison on the interiors. Lexus is flat out gorgeous while Volvo is functional but non-flashy. The simulated wood on the Volvo is a bit cheap but we do like the layout of the Volvo with the slanted cockpit center controls. Take note that if you listen to the Mark Levinson stereo in the Lexus then you have to compare to the upgraded Dolby in the Volvo or else there is again no comparison on the audio. You cannnot go wrong with a Lexus, IMHO. This is our fourth and we would not ever consider NOT owning one as our "glide ride". You pay alot but the quality and customer service are unsurpassed. We are giving Volvo a shot even though we had his and her Lexuses in the past and are solid Lexus devotees. We liked the Volvo lines, the extra safety features, the potential 18-24 mileage and even some nifty little things that even the Lexus doesn't have and we think it will be a winner car for Volvo if the quality holds up. (For a few good things: Removable front console, grocery bag holder in the cargo of the 5 seater, folding front seat for additional cargo space, better front headrests and back seat headrests that fold down for better rear visibility when there are aren't occupants in the back seats, the 70/30 split tailgate as opposed to the rear swinging Lexus door is a winner also.) You'll find both cars have rear blind spots. On the other hand we dislike the steering wheel adjustment on the Volvo and the seats are not as comfortable again in our opinion. But the Lexus has armrests (not as big as we would like, but better than none in the Volvo.) We bought the 5 seater on the XC (cause we didn't need two 7 seaters) and the 7-8 seater GX.
It's all in what you're looking for. If this is to be the car that you will be taking on long trips and is your main vehicle then we would say hands down, the Lexus. If it is the commute, gad about town, take the kids to soccer car and all around day to day car then the Volvo will fit the bill nicely with better mileage.
Since the 2.5 is only a 5 cyl and the GX is an 8 then think it would only be fair for you to drive and try the T6 for a better comparison. The engine would have to be quieter the the 2.5 and the mileage would be similar on to the Lexus.
Be happy to answer any other questions or give you our opinion on any other items you may have on these two. They are both in their own ways excellent vehicles obviously or we would not have chosen to own them both.
Sleepless2...Did you also test drive the T6? I tested the T6 and the GX...the T6 price comes in $5,000 under the GX configured the way I want them...I carpool teens through a town with winding, hilly, narrow, one-lane roads (with deep ditches along the side for drainage, no street lighting at night, and lots of deer). The test drives were too short and not enough similar terrain to help my decision...Lexus dealer has a GX for me now and the T6 that I ordered in September (before I knew about the GX) is due in soon...do you have any thoughts on which way to go? Thanks!!
We spent quite some time debating between the two when buying a car for my wife. We loved the smooth ride, interior amenities (esp. nav system and dvd system), upright seating position and available colors (exp. sand pearl for my wife) of the GX 470. We also liked the Lexus service and historical dependability. On the other hand, we preferred the exterior styling, design of the third row seats and rear gate, and sportier driving characteristics of T6. I was a bit worried about buying a first year model car, however.
In the end, for us, we decided that the T6 was better suited for a day-to-day family car (we have two small kids). The thought of constantly installing and uninstalling the third row seats of the GX 470 did not appeal to me. And, personally speaking, I did not like the swaying sensation that I felt when I made a turn in the GX 470 as opposed to the T6. Another significant factor was price. Comparably equipped, the GX470 was about $ 7,000 more than the T6. Of course, in my opinion, the fully-loaded version of the GX 470 is certainly better equipped than the fully-loaded version of the T6 -- better stereo, nav system, etc. But, we thought that we would prefer to have a fully loaded T6 v. a base GX 470, at the same price point.
We took delivery of T6 yesterday. Our delivery experience went well, except for a 5" scratch in the paint of the driver side quarter panel. It looked like someone walked by the car and scratched it with a zipper or the like. The dealer, of course, is going to take care of this in their body shop (repaint a portion of the panel). While the scratch bugged me to no end, my wife didn't really care all that much and wanted to take delivery. (The dealer showed us an example of their paint work, and it was exellent.)
We drove the car to dinner (and then some) last night. The more my wife drove it, the wider her smile got. That was all I really needed to know to affirm our decision.
Thanks for your input Ike10. That makes me feel less nervous about our dealer. Would Volvomax or anyone else with intimate knowledge about this process care to comment on our concerns?
Also the info on the Lexus GX470 is very interesting. We may have to go out to the Lexus dealer and check them out, especially if the wait on the XC90 gets any longer.
Yes. We actually went to the Volvo test drives and experienced the Moose Avoidance Course which I have to say showed the AMAZING handling of the vehicle in a swerve manuever. In your scenario (dark roads, ditches and deer) this would make me feel very comfortable. In a rollover that Boron roof could be a lifesaver. If I had teenagers that might someday be behind a wheel this would provide me with a comfort factor also. Even though Lexus has some wonderful safety features they are not as extensive as Volvo's. The third row safety features are an important difference if you or your kids will be driving with a full load of passengers.
Our in-seat time on the Volvos was fairly limited as yours was and although the T6 has a softer feel to the steering than the 2.5T it is a better comparison to the Lexus drive. I'm not sure if I can help on the choice of XC versus GX only because our dilemma was the same and we are lucky enough to own them both to resolve it!
What we can say is this, we can hardily endorse the Lexus product without hesitation. After thirteen years as Lexus owners we think this is as fine an auto as you can own. But we have not had an accident in one to test the safety factor either. Volvo has a wonderful reputation for safety but a lesser reputation in terms of quality. We are chancing that Volvo wants this SUV to be so successful that they have done what they need to do to put the quality there in addition to the safety...only time will tell.
You are getting a true truck based SUV with the GX but the ride is superb. As you are aware the Volvo is based on a car frame. Maybe that makes the GX more capable off-road, maybe not (if you do end up in that ditch). While Volvo has the environmental issues firmly in hand, the Lexus is less so. Mileage is rated about the same but if HP is important then with the twin turbos on the Volvo you have more HP on a 6 cyl engine than Lexus has on it's 8 cyl. Note: that does not mean that the Lexus lacks for power. Like the LS this Lexus finds you easily going 80 and above on highways without even realizing it. Without hesitation, for smoothness and comfort on long trips there is NOTHING LIKE A LEXUS.
You'll turn heads and get comments with either one (we have found). Lexus is pricier but more luxurious too. You sit higher in the Lexus than the Volvo and so that running board on the GX is almost mandatory (to get in and out) versus adding it on the Volvo as an option. The feature to raise and lower the car height on the Lexus is handy. Only you can do the comparisons to determine what works best for your situation. We are aging boomers without the kids and so if my choice had been to own just one, it would have been the Lexus just because of our prior experience and that fact that I like the elegance of the Lexus interiors and all those bells and whistles. Guess you can tell which one I'm driving...just that kind of gal!
Volvo contracts out to a shipping company to deliver their cars from the port. The cars are shipped in covered semis, look like regular tractor trailers. Only 3 XC90's can fit in a standard trailer. The shipping company bought some special oversize trailers for this, but they only have a few. Also, they have contracts with BMW, Audi,and Land Rover. I had an XC90 in the port ready to ship on the 23rd of DEc and we didn't get it till the 31st!
Volvo has alot of cars in the port that they were trying to get out before the end of the year, some XC's didn't make it.
My advice is to lean on your dealer, they can call the shipping company and get you a better idea of when the car would arrive. Its not like Fed-X however,the delivery process can be very inexact!
Thanks for the thoughtful response, sleepless2! One more question...the front passenger seat in the XC has 8-way power and lumbar support but the Lexus dealer said that the GX does not come with these. I currently have an RX300 which is missing those also and I was hoping to get them this time around since I spend a lot of time in that seat on family vacations. Thanks again.
Comments
Lack of same might be the underlying problem - but I'm sure a few months in therapy will bring it all out in the open...lol!
Steve, Host
Happy New Year everyone!
KB
Feedback Form
Steve, Host
Test drove it a liked what I saw.
Since Plan participation is voluntary,as long as dealers are getting full MSRP they won't entertain A or X plan deals
Anyway, yes, it is an AWD model (not sure if they are selling the 2-wheel version yet). As I mentioned, there were two other SUV's up there with me, and both had significantly less trouble than the XC90 in very heavy snow.
That being said, once out on the slippery roads it handled very well- as good or better than my old QX4, and is a much nicer ride.
I have had it for two weeks and love it so far. The 2.5T has plenty of power for around town and has been more then ample on the highway. Passing power is there when needed and it cruises comfortably at and above posted speed limits.
The car has a real 'fun' factor when driving. The 5 speed makes a big difference from a standstill although I feel first gear is too 'short'. I am much more confident in the rain and cornering with it versus my experiences in the RX300.
Inside, it is very comfortable and user friendly for the driver. There is good, but not great space between the first and second row. I have had 6' passengers in the back who were very comfortable, but little legs in car seats can kick the seat infront of them. The rear headset adapters that come with the versatility package are awesome. They would have prevented many fights on trips when I was young. The climate package rain sensing wipers are a nice feature and the heated seats work great.
I had very high expectations for the car and it hasn't disappointed during my short tenure with it. The only concerns so far would be 1.) the gas mileage - sub 18mpg in heavy city driving. I attribute this largely to the engine not being broken in yet. 2.) Engine noise. The noise is not overbearing but it is notably higher then the T6 1st through 3rd gear.
Overall, very pleased.
I had originally ordered the T6, but changed the order after driving both of the cars (which is why I didn't get the car earlier). The 2.5 is replacing a 2000 ML320 (lease was up). I love this car so far. I drove it for a few hours in driving rain on New Year's and the car performed beautifully (the rain sensor was great!). It is really a pleasure to drive--very smooth and quiet. We haven't had any snow to test the car in yet. I'm hoping that the car is as sure-footed as my ML was in snow.
My ML was a good car and I enjoyed it while I had it. My main complaints were road noise (it always sounded like a window was open) and my boys were starting to outgrow the car. The oldest is only 11, but when you figure 3 children and backpacks, the space got tight quickly.
I'm still waiting for my navigation dvd to arrive, which is very annoying. I wish it came with the car. I love the stereo and the in-dash cd changer. I never used the changer in the ML since it was so ackwardly located. Having the changer in the dash is great!
Sharon
They couldn't explain why this car had 'em when Volvo said no Xenons 'till Feburary at the earliest - but I saw them with my own two eyes.
I don't want to get everyone started on the whole Xenon discussion again, but thought it might be hopeful news to those waiting for same.
Buying in West Michigan, paying MSRP, 3-yr lease, $732/mo, $26,190 residual, 15K mi/yr. $790 due at signing - don't ask me money factor stuff.
First week's 'road test' feedback to follow if the wife let's me drive it.
We're glad you're no longer a lurker.
tidester, host
I have two small kids, ages 5 and 2.
It's a pleasure to drive. Acceleration is fine. I was worried that I'd have trouble getting on to the highway since I chose the smaller engine but since 90% of my driving is around town, it seemed like the smaller engine was the way to go. Had not truly tested acceleration till today. Today had to do a "double merge" (you know, when about four people are stuck behind some doofus and you see the entire highway is clear so you just go for it). No problem getting up to speed without a lot of car angst.
Car seats fit fine, despite a comment by an earlier recipient that he'd had trouble.
So here's my question. Is it better to go for a dealer installed NAV system or a GARMIN or Magellan? I kind of shy away from built-in's as you can't upgrade to newer technology easily. But some reviews of the top of the line GARMIN seem to imply that OEM's from Mercedes at least are better. So how is Volvo?
Thanks for any and all input.
HTH
It handles well through rain and snow. I took it out on an open field with compact, somewhat icy snow, and "played around" a bit. I also went through some 6-8" of snow over somewhat bumpy terrain. Considering it didn't have "snow" tires on, I think it handled as I expected. You could feel it working the tires as slippage occured, but it never failed to continue its steady progress. I did purchase cable chains for it (not through the dealer) and was able to stow them away between the two recessed 3rd row seats below the back cargo panel.
I also tested its high speed cruising. It cruises quite comfortably up to at least 100 mph. I didn't go faster than that, so can't comment on anything above 100.
I have been happy with the climate control as well. I found myself not having to fuss with it nearly as much as in previous vehicles.
The two issues (warnings) I feel everyone should be aware of are:
1) The front cup holder cover breaks if anyone tries to "lift" it instead of pushing it down to release it. It is not something that is easy to fix. I saw this in a dealer's demo XC90 and when my mother entered the car, it was the first thing she did. Be sure to tell anyone who enters you car for the first time. Volvo fixed it, but I didn't tell them how it happened.
2) Ever wonder what the little plastic sheet is over the paint in front of the rear wheel well? It is meant to protect your paint (& clearcoat) from getting chips. Because the wheel well flares out, road dirt hits the flared portion causing damage. Unfortunately, the plastic sheet doesn't cover completely to the edge of the flare and you will get chips, particularly if you drive over roads that have excessive road dirt due to snow or rain. I have asked my Volvo service representative to find out about getting new plastic sheets. I plan on removing the old ones and putting new ones on, better positioned to protect the paint. Also, the old (1 week) protective coverings are pock marked and don't look very good. I am considering the possiblity of putting two overlapping sheets on to slightly increase the width and amount of protection. I have also added mudflaps.
I will provide more info as I learn more about the vehicle.
Steve, Host
Depending on the specifics (geometry, size, speed, etc.) of the vehicle and aperture the air rushing outward can "overshoot" resulting in the interior air pressure being even lower than the streaming air. At that point, the outside pressure is greater than the inside pressure and the airflow reverses with a rush of air into the vehicle.
The process repeats itself and you get the characteristic thumping sound.
tidester, host
I have several friends who test drove about 4-6 weeks ago and really did not like the T6, my test drives were too short to really know for certain which I preferred. In fact, the salesman had me get right on the highway with the T6 and had me use the 2.5T only on city streets for about 5 minutes. Seems like I just got to drive each car where they are best suited, perhaps not a great test. The 2.5T was definitely noisier (engine) but seemed better from a stop, the T6 had that sloppy steering that I did not care for but kicked some butt once on the highway.
If everyone with a T6 keeps saying that everything is peachy it will make me wonder whether volvo tweaked the shifting etc... after the early cars went out for the press/public to play with. Is this possible?
Motor Trend rated the T6 - SUV of the year, but they also commented on the handling, which Volvo indicated would be tweaked prior to general availability.
Does anyone have any more official information on what changes were made and/or are in the works for 2004?
Also - would the person that posted that s/he was going to anchor a Britax in the third row please fill me in on how that went?
Thanks for your help.
hope that helps
Gear Hunting: The only time I noticed gear hunting was while going up long ascents at specific speeds. It didn't happen very often. When it does, you can either speed up, slow down, or easily use the manual mode to temporarily prevent hunting. I understand that in the 5 speed, this can also happen. By the way, the transmission shifts into manual quite smoothly.
Handling: This is very subjective since I've never driven another SUV except for test drives. I've driven trucks and sedans. As for high speed cornering, for the speeds I am comfortable going, it felt secure ( and I am not a slow driver ). As I've grown more accustomed to it, I have been more aggresive even in city driving. High speed traction to the road is good. Braking is very good.
Steering: I adapted to the graduated power assisted steering quickly. It is nice at low speeds such as entering and traversing a parking lot. As you speed up, you definitely feel it firm up. You don't have to worry about sloppy steering.
Acceleration: It isn't a sports car, but I still gives me enough get go off the line to race ahead to cross lanes or simply get somewhere fast. Passing at high speeds is no problem. I easily passed 2 vehicles at a time wihhout worry. Of course, this again is subjective since you may be used to a real fast sports car and having 4 seconds of visibility. But for the rest of the crowd, the power is there. However, when I was at about 6 thousand feet, 30 deg Farenheit, going about 80 mph up a relatively steep mountain pass, there wasn't a lot of quick acceleration for passing. Though it didn't provide the typically noticable thrust, it did accelerate.
If anybody is interested in specifics, please ask.
I spoke to a dealer this week, and he indicated they didn't expect to even start taking orders for 2004 models until this summer, with delivery probably in the October timeframe. Is is possible that different dealers have different capabilities for ordering the car?
Anyone else have any thoughts?
I personally prefer SUVs over minivans. I do not like how minivans handle, but minivans are great for holding people. You have to think about how you will use the car. It certainly is much easier to load a bunch of little kids into a minivan--door slides open; kids hop in.
That said, I love this car (2.5T). It handles beautifully and is fun to drive. There is plenty of room for my children and their backpacks and stuff.
I haven't heard about any discounts, even with cash; but you can always ask. The waiting lists are so long though, I can't see what the dealers incentive is to discount. They could easily charge over list, but they don't seem to be.
I do feel as though this is a safe car. Have you driven it? Do you feel comfortable with it? My dad had it in his head that he wanted to buy my mother an Expedition, so that she would be safe--totally oblivious to that fact that she was not all all comfortable with the car (way to big for her). I had to sit him down and explain that no matter how safe the car seemed, if she wasn't comfortable driving it, she was going to increase her chances of getting into an accident.
So, drive the car--a lot. Make sure you like how it handles. If you are getting the third row, load kids in and out of it to make sure it won't drive you crazy (I have friends that won't buy an SUV because they don't like the extra steps for getting kids into the back).
As to waiting for the next model year--If you can wait, that might be wise. I think there is always some risk in buying the first model year of any car--there are a lot of unknowns. My lease was up last month, so I had no choice--I really wanted this car.
So far, I love it.
Sharon
We test drove the GX470 and the 2.5T. Our first mistake was driving the GX470 first. Our opinions of the 2.5T are as follows:
A gear-like whining noise coming from the rear of the car. When sitting in the 2nd row of seats it was louder. The steering seemed twitchy and the brakes were "different". Very nice looking car and comfortable seats, however the dash was kind of ho-hum. And then we drove another one at a different dealership because we were so concerned about the noise and the noise was there, however not as loud. Our price from the dealer was $43,500 (premium, climate,versatility packages and the exterior styling kit) plus at least another $800 price increase for the 2004 model = $44,300. He indicated that at this point they are ordering the 2004's. With a 3-6 month wait. No free dealer services offered.
GX470 Wow! NO engine noise, so quiet, beautiful interior, nice brakes and so smooth. Our dealer price $47,600. Base price plus the third row seat package. Could have one like we want in 1 month. And you get a better warranty and our dealership offers some free service and discounts.
We drove both cars with our children (ages 2 & 5). No noticeable differences in the interior space. Both third row seats are not comfortable, however the 5 year old didn't seem to mind. GX470 came with standard running boards. Yet with the XC90 we have to add on the exterior styling kit to achieve this. It makes it alot easier for the kids to climb in and out of the car.
We didn't test drive the T6. At that point I was sold on the GX470. I am more concerned with the ride and handling of the car. At least test drive the GX470. For practically the same amount of money you should consider it.
It's all in what you're looking for. If this is to be the car that you will be taking on long trips and is your main vehicle then we would say hands down, the Lexus. If it is the commute, gad about town, take the kids to soccer car and all around day to day car then the Volvo will fit the bill nicely with better mileage.
Since the 2.5 is only a 5 cyl and the GX is an 8 then think it would only be fair for you to drive and try the T6 for a better comparison. The engine would have to be quieter the the 2.5 and the mileage would be similar on to the Lexus.
Be happy to answer any other questions or give you our opinion on any other items you may have on these two. They are both in their own ways excellent vehicles obviously or we would not have chosen to own them both.
In the end, for us, we decided that the T6 was better suited for a day-to-day family car (we have two small kids). The thought of constantly installing and uninstalling the third row seats of the GX 470 did not appeal to me. And, personally speaking, I did not like the swaying sensation that I felt when I made a turn in the GX 470 as opposed to the T6. Another significant factor was price. Comparably equipped, the GX470 was about $ 7,000 more than the T6. Of course, in my opinion, the fully-loaded version of the GX 470 is certainly better equipped than the fully-loaded version of the T6 -- better stereo, nav system, etc. But, we thought that we would prefer to have a fully loaded T6 v. a base GX 470, at the same price point.
We took delivery of T6 yesterday. Our delivery experience went well, except for a 5" scratch in the paint of the driver side quarter panel. It looked like someone walked by the car and scratched it with a zipper or the like. The dealer, of course, is going to take care of this in their body shop (repaint a portion of the panel). While the scratch bugged me to no end, my wife didn't really care all that much and wanted to take delivery. (The dealer showed us an example of their paint work, and it was exellent.)
We drove the car to dinner (and then some) last night. The more my wife drove it, the wider her smile got. That was all I really needed to know to affirm our decision.
Also the info on the Lexus GX470 is very interesting. We may have to go out to the Lexus dealer and check them out, especially if the wait on the XC90 gets any longer.
Our in-seat time on the Volvos was fairly limited as yours was and although the T6 has a softer feel to the steering than the 2.5T it is a better comparison to the Lexus drive. I'm not sure if I can help on the choice of XC versus GX only because our dilemma was the same and we are lucky enough to own them both to resolve it!
What we can say is this, we can hardily endorse the Lexus product without hesitation. After thirteen years as Lexus owners we think this is as fine an auto as you can own. But we have not had an accident in one to test the safety factor either. Volvo has a wonderful reputation for safety but a lesser reputation in terms of quality. We are chancing that Volvo wants this SUV to be so successful that they have done what they need to do to put the quality there in addition to the safety...only time will tell.
You are getting a true truck based SUV with the GX but the ride is superb. As you are aware the Volvo is based on a car frame. Maybe that makes the GX more capable off-road, maybe not (if you do end up in that ditch). While Volvo has the environmental issues firmly in hand, the Lexus is less so. Mileage is rated about the same but if HP is important then with the twin turbos on the Volvo you have more HP on a 6 cyl engine than Lexus has on it's 8 cyl. Note: that does not mean that the Lexus lacks for power. Like the LS this Lexus finds you easily going 80 and above on highways without even realizing it. Without hesitation, for smoothness and comfort on long trips there is NOTHING LIKE A LEXUS.
You'll turn heads and get comments with either one (we have found). Lexus is pricier but more luxurious too. You sit higher in the Lexus than the Volvo and so that running board on the GX is almost mandatory (to get in and out) versus adding it on the Volvo as an option. The feature to raise and lower the car height on the Lexus is handy. Only you can do the comparisons to determine what works best for your situation. We are aging boomers without the kids and so if my choice had been to own just one, it would have been the Lexus just because of our prior experience and that fact that I like the elegance of the Lexus interiors and all those bells and whistles. Guess you can tell which one I'm driving...just that kind of gal!
Good luck on the choice. It's a difficult one.
The cars are shipped in covered semis, look like regular tractor trailers.
Only 3 XC90's can fit in a standard trailer.
The shipping company bought some special oversize trailers for this, but they only have a few.
Also, they have contracts with BMW, Audi,and Land Rover.
I had an XC90 in the port ready to ship on the 23rd of DEc and we didn't get it till the 31st!
Volvo has alot of cars in the port that they were trying to get out before the end of the year, some XC's didn't make it.
My advice is to lean on your dealer, they can call the shipping company and get you a better idea of when the car would arrive.
Its not like Fed-X however,the delivery process can be very inexact!