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Comments
-nobee
I joked to my wife that this was a $2000 die-cast model. LOL!
Thanks
Most 2.5T will be 5 passenger. No Idea on when they will be available
One thing I like about the MDX is that the second and third row seats can recline back about 2-3 positions. Anyone know if the XC90 can do this. I know the 2nd row on the XC90 can move 2 inches foward and 1 inch backward, but I didn't see anything about it being able to recline back for more comfort.
Not a big deal.. I will most likely put in a deposit this coming Sat right after my test drive at Alameda Point, SF.
The problems with the S80 launch weren't teething' problems, they sounded pretty awful. Transmission issues, electrical issues...What about the XC90 has everyone so sure? I want them to be right. This car was built with my wish list in mind. I have a deposit on one already but won't make a final call until after a test drive.
Do you have access to any testing Volvo has done on the car? Please tell us Volvo understands the check engine light (false or otherwise) shouldn't come on in the first 12 months of a 45K car.
Current Volvo owners please share your ownership experiences. Thanks to all.
Yes the S80 had some issues,Volvo rushed the car to production and it had alot of new technology that no one else in the world had at the time.
However 90% of the cars were fine, most of the problems were software related, not hardware issues.
Volvo has changed suppliers and improved quality immensely.
Volvo is 5th in the current JD Power quality survey, 1 position ahead of Honda!
The S80 led Volvo w/ the fewest defects per car according to Power.
As for the XC90, as I have said previously there really isn't anything new on the car, except for the RSC system. The body is derived from the P2 chassis of the S80, S60 and V70. The engines carry over w/ minor upgrades. The drive system was used in the 02 S60 AWD.
The last new car launch for the P2 was the S60.
It came off on time and with cars that were good right from the start.
Plus Volvo has contracted over 100 outside engineers to backstop them on the XC90 project.
This is Volvos halo car and they want it to be right.
Any car can have issues and paying over $40k is no guarantee that you will get a perfect car.
Ask anyone who owns an ML320, or BMW 745i.
Even Lexus had trouble when they launched the current GS series. Again these were all new cars, the XC90 isn't.
Now I can't wait for the test drive.
Originally we were told that all the 2.5T's would be 5 pass but obviously Volvo has rethought that.
Lucky your dealer has one, we have 2 coming.
Grand High Poobah
The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/285/auto/Rollover_dangers_firmly_under_control_in_XC90+.shtml
Here is an excerpt:
"We put the XC90 through an emergency lane change (picture traveling at 60-plus miles per hour and suddenly spotting a dead tanker truck 55 feet ahead of you). Slam the ABS brakes, steer around the obstacle, and move back in front of it after passing it. Not easy for an SUV to handle. The XC90 did it with ease.
Flat out, this is a car that will save lives."
I agree, 13 miles per gallon is BIG Yuck. If real, would put the nail in the coffin for me to even consider current XC90, since I need the 7 seats, hence limited to T6. Especially since my other choice is '03 MDX, now with 260 hp but real 20 miles per gallon mileage and excellent pickup.
(city/highway)
18 city/25 highway for 2.5T AWD
15 city/20 highway for T6
However, real world numbers would indicate actual figures. If recent testing for the T6 provided an EPA rating of 13 miles per gallon, take into consideration how young engine is. Most of the times, mileage improves as the engine gets broken in. I think that the T6 would have a combined(city/highway) mileage somewhere around 18 miles/gallon, not very far off from my 2001 Pathfinder LE (which has an EPA rating of 16/19). That being said, I think the MDX seems to have the upper hand on the XC90 T6 when it comes to fuel mileage. So if one had a 7-seating requirement that sstclairs has, the MDX might be the best way to go.
I really like the XC90 because of the safety features that it has. I think I can live with either the 2.5T or the T6, but a small price difference sways me to the T6. However, the MDX does make the choice pretty difficult.
IMHO, I believe that the safety features, marginally higher cargo capacity, overall quality and more 'true' AWD makes the XC90 T6 my choice, despite the mileage misgivings.
If price were really an issue, then a fully-slicked Honda Pilot would surpass an MDX in value for money.
I think for a change, we should be comparing the Porche Cayenne/Volkwagen Touareg to the XC90 for feature/performance/price.
Look for it as an option on the second wave.
However most Volvo stores don't order it.
As for when, who knows. Volvo is being very closemouthed on delivery dates. Your dealers aren't being coy about this, they don't know either.
http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html
Our loose topic for tonight is most anticipated 2003 models. Hope to see you there!
kirstie_h
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However, it too is in short supply, my understanding is that there isn't much play on price for this car.
Also, the MDX doesn't have the safety systems of the XC90.
As for looks I think the MDX looks to Honda for a premium SUV.
"No other new sport/utility vehicle addresses our criteria as effectively as the new Volvo XC90," says Editor-in-Chief, Kevin Smith. According to the Motor Trend editors, "More than any other vehicle in the running this year, the Volvo XC90 moves the standard in its market segment It drives comfortably like a sedan, tows like a tough pickup, off-roads like a rugged sport/ute, and moves bulky cargo or as many as seven people like a minivan."
On a counterpoint, I guess good luck getting one? I just hope Volvo dealers don't imitate Honda/Acura dealers and start gouging poor consumers.
-nobee
I'm putting in my deposit today and mostlikely withdrawing my deposit for an 03 MDX after this weekend's Test Drive at Alameda Point, SF. Can't wait..
http://cnnmoney.yellowbrix.com/pages/cnnmoney/Story.nsp?story_id=33670901&ID=cnnmoney&scategory=Auto&
Motor Trend Magazine Names Volvo XC90 2003 Sport/Utility of the Year
Source: Business Wire
Publication date: 2002-10-16
We have a Nav equipped XC90 on order for a customer. Arrival in Jan.
This is a second wave car.
First wave cars, as few as were built, were built w/out the Nav system.
These are the cars that are due in Nov, Dec.
Its always possible that a couple of nav cars were part of that build but they are the exception rather than the rule.
Califjohn,side turn signals are in the front doors
It does not seem that the side mirrors have turn signal lights. What it does have are illuminary lights at the bottom of the side mirrors that light up when one disarms the XC90. I think the feature is called 'Safe Approach and Home Safe Lighting'. I think I saw this feature on my friend's previous generation Ford Explorer.
The cars we can order now CAN have Nav and Xenons and reversing radar.
These are Dec and Jan cars
We most likely would have ordered the T6 but the reviews on the transmission and MPG scared us off (rightly or wrongly) and are counting on that turbo to provide the needed boost on passing. Would have loved to have those 18" wheels but can't have everything. Predominantly (99%)lady driver so the testosterone factor was not in play.
AS to arrival date, they can vary from the published date by weeks.
Here on the west coast it takes longer to get a car than on the east coast.
http://www.volvoxc90.com/xc90/accessories.shtml
My dealer gave me an "All weather" package that included a block heater, mud flaps, rubber floor mats, and a protective clear strip on the front hood. Charged $750CDN. Am I getting gouged? Haven't even asked about the running boards yet...
I don't know what you mean by the "protective clear strip on the front hood" but the other items add up to about US$250 or C$400. Is the "protective clear strip on the front hood" worth C$350 to you? Also did you get the letter from Volvo of Canada offering C$1000 in free accessories (see post #350)?
Yes, I am awaiting the letter as described in post #350. Has anyone else received this letter?
The safety features are impressive. I took a ride in a 2.5T which is driven by a Volvo guy to show case the road hazard avoidance manuvour, man, it was like roller coaster.
They also have RX300, MDX, ML320 and X5 side by side. In my own opinion, the X5 and RX300 has the best interior. Followed by MDX and XC90. For safety, it is XC90, X5 and then MDX. For cargo space, it is MDX and then XC90. For reliability it should be RX300, MDX and followed by XC90. For exterior looks, it is X5 and XC90 partly because XC90 is new. If I want the most car for my dollar, it is MDX. If I just want a Sedan replacement, it is RX300. But if Volvo offers good lease rate, I probably will get XC90 since I don't have to deal with reliability issues down the road. I could get the X5 if BMW offer $3000 rebate and 1.9 lease rate. But I would never get an ML no matter what the deal is.
By the way, I didn't feel anything is wrong with the 4 speed transmission. The acceleration is more than adequate. And the driving is more confident than X5.
BTW, the 2.5T has 208 hp.