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Comments
I stand corrected, foglamps are standard equipment on the T6 model that I'm buying. This is a great safety feature.
I can mount it using a system similar to the Suspension Theater:
I pipe in the audio using a casette adapter and I can power it using a $29 DC to AC power inverter that I bought from BJ's.
It's not as elegant as a fixed-mount DVD Entertainment System but it's an option. An added bonus is that I can use it outside the car. As a matter of fact, my wife and I were able to have a decent dining experience recently with my 18-month old Twins. While my wife and I ate our meals in peace, the kids were watching Elmo's World on DVD. I know it's not the best practice, but try eating out with 18-month old Twins and you'll probably wish you had a portable DVD player
The only drawback is mounting the dvd player under the seat, but we wil have a smaller, 1 piece dvd and screen in a couple of months
Regarding the 3rd row A/C, I, for one, would rather have the A/C instead of the subwoofer. The summers can get pretty hot down here in Florida.
It was -2C (around 28F) last night in Orlando, BTW. Reminded me of Toronto...
Every way I try to price it out, the T6 is $4800 more. I'd consider that fairly substantial!
I'm sure the 2.5T is more than enough for most people (the 1.8T on my Passat just rocks!) but we need something a little more "SUV"-like. Routine haul is 2 adults, two kids, between one and three dogs in a very hilly area and the need to occasionally tow a boat.
And you gotta admit the 18" wheels are purdy!
OT
Anyone here going to use the XC90 for towing? Anyone have the tow package that is dealer installed? If so...how is it working and how does the car do under a load? Does it look weird?
OT
Too bad the stereo doesn't have an auxilliary audio input jack - an iPod would be a great accessory. (The Honda Element has one.)
The Volvo OEM tow hitch looks great and is fairly inobtrusive from this picture. I would have loved to get this hitch but my use is only for use with a hitch-mounted bike rack and this accessory is for some reason EXTREMELY pricey in Canada (they quoted me C$1200).
This info is from the Volvo USA site:
The Volvo square-profile trailer hitch is a great way to tow heavy loads, and transport bikes, skis and other loads. The trailer hitch consists of three main sections: cross-member, ball mount and a 2"-diameter ball. The maximum towing capacity for this vehicle with the trailer hitch is 5,000 lbs. Pricing for the trailer hitch includes trailer hitch member kit, 2" ball mount, 2" ball, adapter and cable harness.
Suggested Retail Price: $376.52
Maybe I can order/buy this in Buffalo and have it installed there. Hmmmm...
I'm sure I'll get the dealer installed hitch...just looking for any feedback from anyone using one.
OT
Thus, we opted for the portable DVD. Great 8.5" screen, fast bootup, and the web rigging really does work well. Battery life is enough for a full DVD and then some. Works great for the hotel, airplance, etc too....
Another solution to keeping the cords to a minimum....FM Audio modulator instead of the cassette cord. Hook this up, and even less console clutter, which we always hate.
The rubbing noise someone mentioned used to happen all the time in my Volvo V70.
I liked the laptop mount idea-- where does it mount to? Behind the center counsel?
Added advantage is that it can be removed and used inside. Biggest disadvantage is the size and weight (around 12-15 lbs.), but so far has worked great for us.
I think the portable DVD player makes the most sense for us. It is always a challenge to keep my kids away from the TV, so I don't want to have that battle in the car on the way to the grocery store as well. The car is for talking and music (you learn an awful lot once they forget you're there!).
You guys posted some great ideas!
D'oh! I stand corrected again. Yep, an FM modulator would be only easy way to pipe in the audio since there's no cassette player.
Again, I'll have to bemoan the lack of auxiliary inputs - hmmm... maybe since there are dealers are installing third-party DVD systems, there's something that can be rigged. Some guy with a BMW did this to be able to listen to his iPod - cool install actually. If you go to this site you can see that there's plenty of aftermarket harnesses that can be hooked up to make an auxiliary input, but unfortunately Volvo's not listed. Additionally, I found Blitzsafe appears to make many XM satellite, auxiliary and CD interface adapters for many luxury vehicles - not sure if their Volvo harness works with the XC90.
I liked the laptop mount idea-- where does it mount to? Behind the center counsel?
I sorta thought that it could be mounted on the passenger side and then angled backward for viewing (over the center console or maybe temporarilly remove the console). The beauty of this system is that you don't have to drill - it's securely anchored by the seat bolts (see below).
Another alternative could be the Audiovox "Video in a bag". It has a monitor that straps around the back of a headrest, and you can get a second monitor. The main unit itself just sits down on the floor, attached to the monitors with cables.
You're absolutely right, the XC90 does not have a cassette so the adapter is moot. The FM Modulator seems to be the only way to go. I think Radio Shack sells an FM Modulator for around $30 and is quite portable. It also runs on alkaline batteries. I personally have not used it so I cannot comment on its performance.
irock!™ Wireless Music Adapter
It sells for $29.99, a comparable cassette adapter is about $19.99 at Radio Shack, could be cheaper elsewhere.
This is one area that I believe the designers of the XC90 audio system screwed up royally. How much would it have cost to include one auxillary input for things like MP3 players (or cassette player or whatever)??? Another flaw is the lack of MP3 compatibility in the CD player. Although this is not as critical in my opinion, it is a flaw when you can now buy $75 portable CD players that include this feature. Not exactly "state-of-the-art".
I listen to audio books and have about 3,000 songs (including about 200 calm-inducing children's songs) on an iPod that will bcome somewhat useless as the car is where I typically use it. Does anyone know if there is some way for one of the car AV dealers to tap into the system in the XC90 and fashion an auxillary input?
T6: $39,975
2.5T $35,100 + Premium $2,575 + 17" wheels $500 + Speed-sensitive steering $200 = $38,375.
So you are right $1,600 isn't exactly no-cost, but the price differential isn't as much some might expect. I had assumed T6 at the outset but actually prefer the transmission & steering on the 2.5.
Agree the 18" are the best looking, they are available in Europe across the range, not sure if a dealer here could get them by asking...
I totally agree. After more digging, I found that Blitzsafe and Peripheral Electronics are likely to be the companies that will produce an auxiliary jack (utilizing the unused Minidisc Player option on the XC90).
"Blitzsafe offers adapters for DVD or MP3 player to interface audio output to factory OEM radios by the push of the CD button."
My guess is that if we make enough of a demand for this, one of these manufacturers will make one for us. (Actually, there's one for Volvo listed in their catalog but I'm not sure it'll work.)
Here's a tow in action. Looks fine to me.
We have a Graco Treasure Chest booster/5 point combo seat behind the drivers seat which holds our 2 year old and an infant child carrier/car seat in the middle. With the Graco, we are using the LATCH system and it fits tight as a glove! Love it. Our infant seat doesn't have the LATCH but after some time I got it to fit OK.
This configration has worked out great so far and leaves us access to the 3rd row when needed.
I don't think you can use the LATCH for the center if you are using it on one of the adjacent seats. In other words... you can use the LATCH system on the 2 outside rear seat positions or use it in the center rear position. This is because you are never suppose to use to one anchor to anchor two car seats. And there are only 4 lower anchors in the XC90.
Having said that, I got an adapter for my Evenflo that changes it from an old fashioned car seat to a pseudo-LATCH one. It's essentially an adjustable belt that you clip on to the LATCH hooks in the car. Then you pull it tight.
I am planning to order XC90 this week, but I am afraid the wait list could be longer than 3 months. I was quoted a late May delivery by a local dealership this past weekend. Not sure if I can hold off that long. Any suggestion on improving my odds of getting it earlier? I am in NY Rockland County area. Thanks.
This is old news. The boat sank in early December. Yes, this affected deliveries to the U.S. for those who lost their cars, but this is not affecting new orders now - only normal production delays now.
The long wait is expected as production is being ramped up for Europe and Australasia (the Aussies won't see their first ones until Q3 this year.)
If you really want one quicker, go to the Volvo USA site and look up every dealer in a 3 hour radius (or more) of you and phone/fax/email them to ask what they have on their lot and if they have any cancellations coming their way.
Did see where Volvo is increasing production so the wait times should be reduced. Still do not see many on the roads.
comp, I guess it all depends on exactly what options you want. I've been checking dealer inventories online a few have no XC90s, several have just a few, and some have as many as a dozen. It's odd...
-rollie
I am not going deny you the right to complain about the waiting lists and limited availability of the XC90.
But IMHO, it is time to get grip on the fact that this is indeed a hot vehicle. Production has been bumped from 50,000 to 60,000 annually but those poor souls are busting their butts in Gothenberg, Sweden making our beautiful cars, trying to meet the demand worldwide.
Just think, the people in Asia and Australia/NZ don't even get theirs for practically a year from now, and they're hardly any XC90s being seen in Europe even now.
The point I'm making is take this popularity of Volvo's very first SUV to heart - no regrets - this is a great vehicle that's highly in demand.