By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
2- In regard to the side curtains, as my child & child-to-be are quite small, isn't it a safety hazard to have side airbags next to the child safety seats? I've really researched this, and I of course am aware of the danger to children/ rear-facing placed in front of an airbag-- and it seems intuitive to my completely uneducated self that it might pose a threat to small kids in safety seats if the airbags deploy in the case of a small collision. Anyone have any info?
3-- Also about side airbags: if the purpose of airbags is to keep occupants from being ejected from the car, if the occupants are already safely buckled (or even in car seats), is it even necessary?
Volvo reliability makes me nervous, so I'm really looking for the justification to wait to get a Volvo (that won't even have the DVD system)...
Thanks in advance for any help.
if a child is properly buckled in the child seat, and the seat is properly mounted, I can't see how it can be harmful to have a side airbag. I believe the problem is when a child leans on the door and the bag deploys. I think you may be able to find information in this regard on the web.
I am quite certain that the primary purpose of the airbag is to absorb impact energy, not to keep one from being ejected. Seat belt on the other hand, should keep one's body from hitting the interior of the car in an accident, as well as to keep one from being ejected. If the airbag were a curtain-type, like those from Volvo and MB, then it can also keep one from begin ejected, but still the primary purpose should be the impact energy absorption.
Again, just my opinion from what I have read.
Not at all. The side curtain is somewhat different than a frontal airbag. Its main purpose is to protect the head from side impacts and glass during rollovers or T-bones. It deploys differently and stays inflated longer.
Head injuries are a major problem in car crashes, so much so that (without curtains) it probably makes as much sense to wear a helmet in a car as on a bicycle.
We just picked up our 2004 2.5T and I love it. It was the first 2004 the dealer had delivered. We got it in Ruby Red and it is gorgeous. The 17" wheels are now standard and we also got the aluminum trim package instead of the wood and it looks very sharp. Maintenance is now included up to 30K. The base price for the 2WD 2.5 is $34.4K. Our final MSRP was $40.9K. I haven't noticed any of the problems some folks have reported (FM reception, parking break, etc). In fact, I haven't noticed any problems - gas mileage right now is mediocre but I expect that to improve - we have only had it a week and I drive mostly city anyway. It rides really smooth - my husband and I are both enjoying driving it and my son loves it - he says its his car and he is only 2!
And get this, I would not be allowed to test drive the vehicle unless I was prepared to basically say 'yes' to the $48,000 and dirve it away then.
Far as could coud tell, it shoult only be about $42,000; so they want a $6,000 dealer mark-up. They say they only get two (2) 2004 SUVs every 6 months -- IIIIIIIIIII don't believe it.
I must admit, though, that 2004 look like the best dam thing I ever saw! ANd I'm talking about something I really shouldn't buy. I should buy a 2003 VW Jetta TDI that gets 49 miles to the gallon on diesel. BUt, buy, I like the look of that XV90. I feel like the master of the world in it.
You say you have the aluminum inlays, what interior did you get, the taupe of Graphite? Did you get a wood wheel too?
protective headband for car occupants (Australian Transport Safety Bureau)
Steve, Host
Looking at your prior posts it seems like you and bigeddy were the ones stirred up. As you have not said anything about the Austin Healey 3000 or uncoordinated basketball players in your posts I don't believe you have hit on my status symbols just yet.
And remember to keep saying to yourself..."I've bought an SUV. I've bought an SUV." Hopefully you can get over this identity crisis of the 'performance car' that you thought you bought.
The seat mounted bag deploys parallel to the seat occupant, not at them like the German door mounted ones.
This design is much safer to the seat occupant.
One thing to remember is never to cover the side of the seat with any material, like sheepskins or other seat covers.
There are special seat covers made for seats with airbags.
The curtain comes down against the glass and doesn't go any lower than the bottom of the windows.
A properly restrained child should not come into contact with the curtain system.
It's a lemon alright, and I'm more than familiar with our state lemon law. When life throws you lemons, wait 'til they rot, then throw them back.
I lemoned a 93 Saab 900, replaced it with a '94 and lemoned that one, too. They spent, respectively, 25 and 30 days in the shop the first year. Law says three repair attempts for a "serious" defect, or more than 15 shop days (working days, excluding weekends and holidays.) Bingo - no argument. I switched to Volvo in 95 and I've been very happy...until now.
I've driven an SUV or 4X4 since owning a 68 Scout four banger. We called them "trucks" back then. Performance vehicle, SUV, blah, blah, blah. Semantics aside, no vehicle should perform the way this XC90 does. I've owned better go-karts.
By the way, the "intuitive" transmission now lags intermittently under light acceleration as well. I think it's learning disabled. I've sidelined the car until I sell it 'cuz I'm tired of lurching forward in the seat every time it decides to lag in the 1-2 shift. I refuse to devote any more time or energy to this debacle.
My status symbol is a 99 Beetle (yellow, oddly enough), and I would never dis an A.H. 3000 or an uncoordinated basketball player!
Love, vb
Yes but it also comes with a full-size spare and a 24-gal gas tank. That Volvo spaciousness does not come free. Of course, there are other reasons to prefer the Volvo.
I would think that you may wish to explore this option so you don't sell it to someone else and leave yourself open to 'stuff'.
The only other suggestion I would have is just to leave it in 1st gear all the time. That would take care of the 'lurch'. You may wish to avoid highways if you do that though.
Bellow info from LoJack web site:
"WARRANTY PRODUCTS FOR YOUR VEHICLE
LoJack with Guarantee Plus 5000*- Not Available in New York
Get $2,500 back if your vehicle is not recovered within 30 days and get $2,500 toward the replacement of your new vehicle from your dealer.
PROTECTION PLUS*- Available in New York only
Get up to $2,050 insurance coverage and a 5-year warranty."
I have an order for 2004 FWD and may need to switch because of this change.
Still, I am in love with the car right now and look forward to driving tomorrow. Anybody know how long the break in period should be before you push this car to the limits?
BTW - bigeddy: On the BMW X5, you are certainly paying for the bigger gas tank and the full size spare too! Nothing on that car comes cheap. I think unless you want a high performance engine, the Volvo is more bang for the buck than the X5.
No argument here. I was just pointing out that there are tradeoffs. To fit 7 passengers the Volvo designers made tradeoffs in fuel capacity and the spare tire. Stopping more frequently to fuel is usually just an inconvenience, although with more rural gas stations closing it could be a major problem in some cases. A full-sized spare, on the other hand, is very much a safety issue for rural drivers.
This was true for the 03 as well.
Of course, I am hoping for a trouble free vehicle experience, but it is nice to be aware of some of the possible problems.
As I drive and experience my XC90, I will report on the good, the bad and the ugly. First significant trip (1000km) this weekend so, hopefully, all will operate smoothly.
Question: Does anyone know what the "AF" option is on the radio settings menu of the Level III audio system? I can't find anything about it in the manual and my dealer rep is having a day off... Thanks.
Don't quote me on this though as, if you have read any of my prior posts, according to my wife I am an idiot and know nothing.
In most cases, if I want to lease a Volvo in NY, my only choice is Volvo Finance. Their rates are awful right now (probably because they realize they have a near monopoly).
Can I lease the car in NJ, where there is no such law? If so, what leasing companies are available, and what kind of lease deals are around on the XC90?
"No need to put up the red flags. Despite my own problems and others mentioned here, this is probably a small microcosm of the 50,000+ XC90s shipped to North America.
We who post about our vehicles here (and over in Swedespeed, volvoxc and VVSpy) are PASSIONATE about their XC90s. Every fleck of dust on the dash might even concern us. We are the advocates and crusaders for the brand, and yet we the worse critics in the same vein. So take each and every comment with a grain of salt and a precious ounce of information. "
\\\\\\\\\
Comes with TWO screens -- one in the back of each of the headrests. I'm pretty sure you can watch a DVD in one and play Playstation in the other. Pretty sleek setup.
Yeah, but it looks like something George Jetson would drive--er, fly. ;-)
I've seen a few on the road lately. I'm sure it's a nice car, but the styling is not for me. Different strokes, as they say.
Sharon
'03 XC90
XC90's Issues and Problems by gmark2000: Have you had any recent problems, because I've noticed that you haven't posted in awhile.
Volvomax can probably tell you definitively if the factory DVD will be a dropdown from above or in the headrests.
You should be able to get a wiper refill for less than $10.00 at any auto parts store. You'd pay more than that for gas to go back to the dealer. Luckily you didn't use it, or the dealer would be buying you a new rear window. I'd want to know how the car was prepped by the dealer, and ask for a copy of the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) report. Obviously,they didn't check all functions. What else might they have missed? I always check vital fluids, tires, lights, and other safety items before I take delivery of any new vehicle. But that's just me.
I'd trade your problem for mine any day.
vb
Scandinavian look.
The FX35 may perform better 0-60 in accleration, but most of us need our performance in the 30-70 range "urban accleration zone". I didn't put a clock on the FX35 (have driven FX35 and FX45), but my T6 feels faster in this range, yielding better passing and merging capabilities IMO. The XC90 T6 has a torque advantage 280 ft. lbs. @ 1800 rpm vs. 270 ft. lbs. @ 4800 rpm. This max. torque at low rpm gives it the grunt advantage in the "urban accleration zone". The FX35 has better horsepower 280 @ 6200 rpm vs.268 @ 5200 rpm for the T6.
The Volvo XC90 T6 has better towing capability 5000 lbs. vs. 3500 lbs., better ground clearance 8.9 in. vs. 7.6 in. The FX35 is longer and wider and still only seats five with less leg/hip/shoulder room then the XC90 in the 2nd row. The FX35 has only 65 cu. ft. max. cargo capacity, while the XC90 in 7-passenger form has 93.2 cu. ft. The FX35 does have a better standard warranty 4 yr./60000 vs. 4 yr./50000 for the Volvo, but I'll use up my time before my miles anyway.
The FX35 may have some various features not offered in the XC90, but the functionality of these in application is debatable. The XC90 has several standard and available features not even offered by Infiniti that are very functional i.e. reverse warning system. Do you really need a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel?
For those of us with any off-road ambitions (mine involve getting the kayak to water) the XC90 does have the capability as noted in Motor Trend 12/02 edition. The XC90 is the "2003 Sport Utility of the Year". The Infiniti has limited capabilities in off-road adventures.
The added safety features of the XC90 (DSTC, side curtains all rows, pretensioners all seats, boron steel reinforced roof, crash compatibility...) vs. the FX35 is just another reason why purchasing the XC90 T6 with versatility package (7-seater) was a "no brainer" for my family.
Supposedly, it's both the headrest version and the overhead version.
You can find the link in here.
And to answer the question of my absence here, I've been spending most of my time at Swedespeed.com, VVSpy.com, and VolvoXC.com.
I am waiting for my 60-day check at the end of the month to get my leaky hatch repaired and hopefully get the software upgrade that will fix my radio (FM reception and unit cutting-out/powering off).
Yes, despite these first year problems, I still love my XC90. It suits me fine and I wasn't gonna be a cheapskate to nickel-n-dime on safety features.
clpurnell: You've made your choice, so stop being a troll here and go and haunt the FX boards (I'm sure that Infiniti hasn't got any initial quality issues -> NOT!)
If you have a legal residence in NJ than you can lease a car in NJ.
As for the factory DVD, we aren't expecting it to be available until Aug.
Look for the headrest mounted DVD as part of the XC90 Premier package.
We believe that the roof mounted unit will be priced around $2,000 installed.
I assume this is 100% integrated with the MOST (Media Oriented System Transport) infotainment optical transport network that the XC90 uses. It's a shame otherwise, Dolby ProLogic II 5.1 decoding without movies to watch...