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Stickshifts in the US have slowly been going away. I learned to drive on one and my first car was one. I wouldn't get a 4 cylinder car without one, makes them much better and sportier to drive in my opinion.
I've read the 2.5T factory upgrade will take 208 hp to 218 hp. I think its a reworking of the engine, not software that can be upgraded. I think torque is unchanged, so I don't know how much one will notice the change.
Meanwhile my guess is that the idp upgrade will take it to 245-ish hp. I'd speculate the factory upgrade to 218 won't be nearly as noticable as ipd...
I wonder what the ipd upgrade will cost, I'd guess around $8-900? That's about half the cost of moving to the T6. Given the better transmission, ipd might be the best ride of all...
Honestly, I think Lisa just was adverse to learning on a stick in the city (She had an automatic 300Z in highschool *OUCH*). Chicago is not very stick friendly. Rest assured that Aine will be taught how to drive a stick as soon as she's old enough.
Today, the reason might be using a cell phone or other electronics that get in the way of shifting.
By the way, the 7.6 0-60 time is for a test of a new vehicle, not a broken-in T6. Sometimes I wish I could rent a G-Tech Pro just for a day....hey there's a business opportunity!
Thanks.
-rollie
rdollie@att.net
For what it's worth, my wife is VERY adept with a manual transmission. Until my S60R I picked up a couple of weeks ago, we haven't had a stick in the family for about 8 years. Last year we went to the Volvo R event and on the autocross event the Mrs. hopped in the S60R MT and beat most of the times posted by the men (I was quite proud I must say.)
-rollie
rdollie@att.net
I wonder what the ipd upgrade will cost, I'd guess around $8-900? That's about half the cost of moving to the T6. Given the better transmission, ipd might be the best ride of all... "
Please define "ipd" for me. This sounds interesting, but I don't know what you are talking about.
Anyway, after my experience trying to sell our manual Volvo 850, as much as I prefer a stick, I don't think I would purchase a manual XC90--lease it, maybe. I would be afraid that a manual XC90 would be to hard to sell, in my area.
Sharon
However, even in Washington DC traffic, we have never found the 16 manually shifted gears in our 3 vehicles to be any more of a pain than an automatic is in city traffic. And, coincidental or not, the BMW M5, which only comes as a 6-speed, has substantially better resale than the E55, which only comes in an automatic, in our area.
I was glad to see Acura introduce the new TL with a 6-speed option. I tend to think the steptronics, automanuals and even the high performance SMG's are now being seen for what they are: mostly gimmicks. Give me the real thing, and I won't have to go through the "8 steps to good acceleration" as previously posted by Rollie.
My wife grew up in the SF Bay Area and knows how to drive a stick. Even owned a car with a stick IN San Francisco, certainly the least stick-friendly town in the country, if you are worried about hills. Some years ago we were in the new car market and I wanted my wife to test drive the car. We got in and I climbed in back. The salesman was surprised, saying "the little lady can drive a stick?" (yes, those were his actual words) My wife looked at me, and as I buckled in I said, "it's all yours, honey"
needless to say, she gave the car a very aggressive test drive. Am pretty sure that salesman never said that again. And, of course, we did not buy the car from him.
My biggest complaint about driving a stick. It is damned hard to drink a cup of coffee and drive a stick. Add the cell phone issue to the coffee drinking and now I am driving with my knees and shifting with my chin. Not good.
:-)
I can't floss and drive a stick.......:(
Manual XC90's are on sale in Europe.
They would be impossible to sell or resell here.
In over six yrs of doing this my store has sold 3 manual wagons.
As for the V8, look for a price increase from the T6, in fact we're still not certain if the T6 will be dropped. If so it would only be for a yr or so till the new T6 engine is available.
Any ideas as to whether the proposed V8 has any genetics rooted in this engine?
I hated the speed sensitive steering in the T6 and wasn't too crazy about the 4-speed either. The ECU mod should get you close to the T6, with the advantages of a better transmission, steering (my opinion) and mileage.
Of course its all hypothetical until the upgrade is actually available...
If you're not desperate (I was), you might wait a year for the new 2.5 or V8.
"Manual XC90's...would be impossible to sell or resell here"..."In 6 years..sold 3 manual wagons".
I would agree that the US market is different than the European one when it comes to manuals. But part of the issue is Volvo itself. I drove a new T5 wagon with a 5-speed some time ago and, frankly, it was a terrible dissapointment. The shifter was long throw and spongy and the clutch had no crispness whatsoever. Under those conditions, anyone who really enjoys driving a manual would be put off. Interesingly, I have driven some manual Volvo's in northern Europe and they were better.
rollie:
Sorry, for the delay in responding. So you would have me believe that an XC90 T6 that is among the slowest of the "sport" utilities and crossovers brand new somehow becomes a world class performer after 12,000 miles? And, of course, none of the competition benefits form proper break in? You aren't in the info-mertial or vitamin business, are you?
As for C&D's 1994 proclamation of the 850 sedan as being the fastest automatic sedan? I guess those writers were too young to remember the 300SEL 6.3 of the late 1970's which the FWD Volvo 850 couldn't match nearly 20 years later.
I don't want to have my comments misinterpreted as being disparaging to Volvo in any way. They make some very fine automobiles. But your insistence upon inflating the performance virtues of a FWD based, automatic transmission (4 speed, no less) vehicle is stretching it, to say the least. As is suggesting that Volvo's "R" vehicles are in any remote way competitive with "M"'s, AMG's or even Audi's "R". But you are certainly free to enjoy your vehicle for whatever reasons YOU want. I'll continue to have respect for Volvo for entirely different reasons.
Regardless, the current 6 spd manual is a fine gearbox and nice to shift, it still wouldn't sell enough to justify the federalization costs.
Not enough people want to shift their own gears in a wagon or SUV.
As for Rollies remark, the 850 Turbo was deemed fastest for its segment and year. Not all time.
Rollie, where can we find more info on the proposed V8? I'm still trying to decide between the MDX and the XC90. With all the talk about the possible Hp upgrades to the 2.5T and the speculation concerning the V8, I may hold off of making a decision until Jul/Aug of this year. Perhaps the decision will be between 2 Volvos and the MDX.
Let's hope my 10 year old vehicle holds up! :-)
More to the point, I stand by my statements. Further, your proclamation about the 'R' is pure ignorance. It already has superior grip over the S4 and M3 (according to C&D) with better high-speed chassis dynamics. The only things it suffers from in my experience is less steering feedback than I would like (the e46 M3 has the same problem) and it is slower 0-60 than the M3. Of course for $1k a chip fixes that. By contrast the S4 plows due to understeer in the corners (I blame the V8 / Quattro combo which adds to a tendency to understeer in the corners.) The e46 is also known for it's mild understeering tendencies (by design) although it is better now than it was when it first debuted. The 'R' Volvos are the only cars I know of that understeer entering a curve, are neutral at teh apex, and oversteer on exit. In terms of performance, you simply can't hit curves in the M3 as fast as you can in the 'R' - period. The M3 is beyond a doubt a more rewarding drivers car - with all the shortcomings that implies.
More to the point, the 'R' was never marketed as competition to the M3/S4 here in the U.S. With a delivered price as low as $35k it's simply the bargain Euro performance machine (same niche as the old S4 when it debuted in the late 90s here in the U.S.)
Back to the XC90 T6, yeah, it's much faster broken in than comparable vehicles if you drive it hard. I don't have to know why or offer an explanation - reality is reality. I do know from experience that Volvo's current inline engine family is VERY tight from the factory and the high-pressure turbo variants typically open up a LOT after 10-12k miles if you are the type who drives it like you stole it. I have over 100,000 miles behind the wheel of these particular engines from 6 different vehicles - now if you have stronger anecdotal evidence from your ownership experience please share it. I've never called the XC90 T6 a performance machine - I said it has better high speed handling (emergency lane change for example) than the X5 and does get faster (potentially much faster depending on driving style) with seasoning. If you read what I wrote I said that I (not everyone or even anyone) else with a XC90 T6 have had no problems with theoretically faster vehicles on the road. Faster does not make it a sports machine - I've never driven a sports 'car' that was a SUV and I don't believe they exist (don't get me wrong - I would still appreciate a Cayenne TT in my garage.)
Thanks.
-rollie
rdollie@att.net
-ROLLIE@ATT.NET
Rollie,
Understood. Check your email.
Thanks.
-rdollie@att.net
-russell.ollie@alum.mit.edu
Anyway, wife LOVED the car, but we are expecting child #2 to go along with labrador retriever. Needed the versatility of the 3rd row. Plus, we are moving to a new town and thought it best that we both have a NAV (I know, lazy. But when you have two kids and a dog whining in the back, it's nice not to have to consult mapquest to get everywhere for a little while).
So, with the X plan in tow, we upgraded to a fully loaded '04 2.5t in Crystal Green. After about 1k miles, absolutely no problems. The NAV isn't perfect, but it gets us there. Mileage isn't great, but we know through experience that it will get better. Still not a great performer in the elements, but we may swap out the tires for winter driving. After all, the safety of the vehicle was a factor in our decision- so why wouldn't we make sure it was the safest car we could make it?
Just my 2 cents....
Does any one know if there is an aftermarket sat radio that integrates with XC90 entertainment system? I'd give up use of the factory FM input connection, or DES, to have sat radio, but do not want a tumor box on the dash and kluged connections. I suspect it can be done easily judging by integrated design used in the vehicle, but is there demand for it to exist?
Thanks,
DON
don_feldman@alum.mit.edu
By the way, nice email address.
-rollie
russell.ollie@alum.mit.edu
Email Address Harvesting: How Spammers Reap What You Sow
I have studded M&S's and came too close to a Jersey barrier coming down from the ski hill last week (< 30mph). I used studded tires a lot when I lived in Anchorage too, and while they are useful for getting you moving, they don't work miracles when you are driving, especially if you are driving too fast for conditions (as I was last week).
Lots of brand talk in Snow/Ice winter tires.
Steve, Host
Thanks.
-rollie
I think someone said to press the buttons harder
or a couple of times. Tried that too.
I didn't see anything in my opener manual about it having a rotating code.
A couple of small inconveniences for an otherwise very nice vehicle. But, none the less, inconveniences on a $43,000 vehicle!
Steve, Host
Good luck.
-rollie
rdollie@att.ent
-rollie
Real Issue: I have a 6 month-old T6 and feel generally *OK* about it so far. Comfortable, nice, but nothing too special. Which is fine with me. I occasionally pull a 4,500 lb tent trailer and no problems doing so. Over the last several months the T6 has developed a creaking suspension sound while turning corners that seems to originate from the front. It also occasionally makes a disturbing and deep "pop" sound (and feel) when turning. Dealer says they can't find anything wrong - and they say they have fully checked the suspension/bushings, etc. I won't be satisfied until whatever is making these sounds is fixed. Any ideas where I should point the service people?
Oh, one other thing - occasionally (why is everything "occasionally"??) while stopped and idling, the engine will make an embarrassing "groaning" type of sound - loud enough that other people will look at my car with that "what the &%$@ was that?" look. Any ideas?
Thanks for the tip. That did the trick.
I then had to reset the remote in my truck and the one we had in the Volvo in a similar fashion. Both work as well as the Homelink now. That is what I get for not reading the directions fully. I think the owners manual said something to the affect of most openers made after 1996 having rolling codes. Thanks again.
I'll have to ask about the tripmeters resetting themselves the next time we are at the dealer.
Thanks again.
Paul
Regarding your S80 T6 I'm not sure what's going on (have you checked the control arms and engine mounts?) However, I am surprised by the amount of weight you're towing. I sold my S80 T6 last month so I don't have my manual handy but I'm pretty sure the towing limit for P2 based sedans/wagons is about 3,300 pounds. I suspect 4,500 could be done with a tranny cooler and some other enhancements but in stock form I think you're towing too much. The suspension on the S80 is barely adequate on the front end as is for high speed tosses - I really wouldn't want to put too much weight/stress on this setup with heavy tow loads.
Thanks.
-rollie
rdollieHATESSPAM@att.net
I think michael115 has an XC90 T6, not an S80.
michael115,
Congratulations on owning an E46 M3 and I have to completely agree with you that it is in a different league than the S60R. I have driven both, alnong with an AMG C32 extensively and, with the only exception being my strong preference for a 6-speed manual, I would rate the M3 first by a large margin, the C32 next and the S60 last with respect to handling, steering and anything else related to "driving dynamics". My current daily driver is a Maxima, so any of the three is impressive by comparison. But I also have a Honda S2000 that gets about 40% of my driving miles and the M3 is the only one with handling and steering that can approach or match that true sports car level of sharpness and precision. And I would put the E46 ahead of the E36 which I previously owned, but who am I... Congratulations again.
Back on the XC90 T6 vs. 2.5, I have rightly or wrongly convinced myself that the 2.5 is the only one that makes sense, given what else we are looking at. Using the tax deduction, the after tax cost of the 2.5 is roughly $5,000 less than a Honda Pilot. If I wanted performance over utility, the 2004 X5 4.4 is the absolute choice, not jumping up to a T6 with antiquated 4-speed and Expedition type gas mileage. Granted, I haven't driven or experienced rollie's broken in T6, but every other one I have driven doesn't offer that much greater performance and certainly nowhere near the X5.
My plagueing question is that, even if I say to myself that performance isn't a priority in our SUV, will the XC90 2.5 be dissapointing over the next 5-7 years. Nothing else we are looking at has that little of horsepower, and I'm also concerned that in a heavy 6,000+ lb GVW vehicle, that little engine is going to wear out.
Last weekend we drive it to Des Moines, about 250 miles. Almost 21 MPG heading south with 87 Octane, filled up with 90 octane in Des Moines, and got 14.5 MPG on the way back. All Highway miles using the cruise control. I guess when you drive North, you really are heading uphill!!
I get better mileage in my 350 V8 Suburban with 6 people in it! No explanation on that either...
After 3 Volvo's (80 240, 92, 940 Turbo, 02 XC70) that were exceptional cars, I'm fed up with this thing!
OK I feel better now after venting...
David
I will bring it back to dealership next week and interested to know what will be replaced.
Good luck.
-rollie
michael115/roper6/myao - I've read about two different things that can cause the noises that you describe.
1. Axle splines slipping/moving on the shaft. Loctite is being used to repair this.
2. Replacing the front strut upper retainer springs has also been reported as the solution for front end noise.
myfunsarelow - The Volvo wiring harness in addition to the normal lighting wiring gives you the choice of either charge line, rear fog, or reverse lamps. I think there has been a change in the adapters, but I don't think this gives the electric brake function. I'd check with my dealer for advice.
On my XC90 (2.5 AWD) both of my trip counters randomly & simultaneously reset to 0.0. I have a theory about this which I am presently testing... Say you have counter #1 displayed constantly. Is it possible that when counter #2 hits 999 and rolls back to 0 that a software bug causes both counters to reset?
This theory is countered by the fact that one day, after filling my tank, I was going to reset the counter but it already read 0.0. True, counter #2 may have just rolled over as I pulled into the gas station, but that's quite unlikely.
Does Volvo know this is happening? There must be others this has happened to...
I haven't ruled out the metric deal, as I don't always notice whether I have reset both odos when I refuel, or just one. Since it's my wife's daily driver, it's more difficult to track.
Volvo is working on a fix.