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Comments
lol
P.S. Volvo is now calling the car the first "LUV" not SUV. I stands for both LOVE and LUXURY Utility Vehical. Very appropriate.
According to your list, I calculate:
3M Scotchcal Protective Film Hood Mask - ~C$200
Volvo OEM Block Heater - ~C$65
Volvo OEM Mud Flaps (front & back) - ~C$100
Volvo OEM Rubber Mats (not cargo) - ~C$125
Which comes out to about C$485 (~US$775) before taxes and installation.
This is clearly a dealer-driven option/accessory package which I would have surmised was open for better negotiation. Did they pitch vehicle undercoating too?
BTW, for the benefit of others on this board, the four official Volvo Canadian Packages are :
- Premium Package (for the 2.5T) which includes Power Passenger Seat, Auto Dimming Rear Mirror, Wood Effects, Homelink for C$1400 = US$875
- Touring Package (for the T6) which includes Audio Level 3, 18" Atlantis Wheels, Wood Steering Wheel for C$1750 = US$1094
- Convenience Package which includes Rain Sensor for Windscreen, Rear Parking Assistance, Retractable Outside Mirrors for C$500 = US$313
- Security Package which includes Laminated Side Glass, Mass Movement Sensor, Level Sensor for C$600 = US$375
IMHO, I would say that the 3M Scotchcal product is something I would definitely look into since rocks practically bounce off of it to protect the vehicle's finish. In Canada, it's available from www.crackmasterscanada.com otherwise can be bought at www.clearmask.com
Were your prices an estimate from the US accessories list? The only one I couldn't find was the 3M...Thanks for the websites - will definitely look into the Scotchcal. They didn't mention the undercoat. I may have to work that into the negotiation.
However, we could not order the security package. It shows up on the printouts, but is not a choice on the computer. None of the cars in his allocation had it either. Sounds like this option won't be available in the first wave. Anyone else discover this?
Went to the show in Alameda yesterday - lots of fun. Professional driver course was insane - you really have to hold on. There are 2 other courses you can drive yourself.
My final decision was deciding on the premium package. If you want the fancy stereo, it makes sense to get economically, but I kind of liked the interior without the wood - silver trim instead. The wood reminds me of the wood in the V70 and S60, not the wood in the S80, which is too bad.
After the intro and class comparison inside, we were shown a demo of the shatter proof side windows (and a less fortunate Lexus window). The car was then put on a "torsion table?" and the chassis' rigidity was shown. Next they drove it into a gravel trap and buried the wheels. With almost no wheelspin the vehicle just rose up out of the trap.
As reported, the Moose Avoidance was fun. The "professional" drivers did nothing more than floor it down the straight and yoink it over at the last minute. The car did all the rest. It was quite evident that such an evasive turn could be performed at much higher speeds than the 55mph they deemed safe for kid passengers.
Next up I went to the wet track (2.5Ts). This consisted of a straight away with an emergency stop, then a a series of slaloms and steep turns. I went out right after the water bowser, yet the car stuck to the track as if it were dry. I was relatively tentative on this track since I was one of the first drivers, but by the time I got to the dry track, I could see that they were not really enforcing the "no tire screeching" rule.
The T6 was a trip. FLooring it produced a nice steady increase of speed. I got to 60 before throwing out the anchors and stopped well short of the cones. The slaloms were a breeze and despite being in it only 20 seconds, I was very comfortable throwing the car around. It was very a very powerful feeling to be so high up and to not roll through the curves. As I flashed past the marshall waving his arms in the air yelling "Slow DOWN!" I was already sold. The additional COG height is largely negated by the long wheelbase, wide stance and active roll suppression.
I was also happy with the interior. I'm 6'1" and I could fit in the rear seat, although I would not want to be there too long. The folding rear seats were a breeze to use, and access to the 3rd row was easy from either side.
The handling on the T6 seems far superior over the MDX (tested the 02, not 03 yet), alot like the X5. I've braked 60-0 on the MDX before and it paled in comparision to the braking power of the XC90. Thoughout the course, I was going around 40-50 mph making sharp zig-zag turns around the cones without using the brake and making emergency manuevers like the ones on demostrated on Volvo's video . I can feel the RSC working and correcting the XC from slipping or rolling. On a few rough manuevers where I would have rolled over my '97 Explorer, the XC took control and got me back on track. Not one cone was knocked out. Even if I wanted to roll it over, the car wouldn't let me.
The interior seems less spacious than the MDX, but definitely more luxarious and comfortable. I really like the booster seat feature and the fact that 2nd row can move forward 2" and back 1" --if needed, more leg room for the 3rd row. Accessing the 3rd row seat was much easier and can be done from both side. With all windows rolled up, the window/road noise seems much more quiet than the MDX. All the instruments are well executive and placed thoughout the interior space. Having the Nav system closer to the window where the driver can still focus on the road is great idea! By the way, the pop up screen is not angled down like it's pictured -- It's exactly 90 degree.
At this point, I'm still leaning toward the purchase of a XC over the 03 MDX Tour w/ Nav. The following the extra features and benefits (not available on MDX) are worth additional $4-5k on a fully loaded T6:
- RSC (Roll Stablity Control)
- Curtain airbags for all 7 seats
- Booster seat
- Bi-Xenon
- Boron steel reenforced steel
- Pretentioner seat beats on all 7 seats (MDX only has it in the front row)
- Dobly II w/ 13 speakers
- Brake Assist
- Geartronic (manual shift w/ clutch)
- 6000 lbs payload -- tax advantage if you own a business.
The only disadvantages:
- Possible reliability issue w/ first year model (but per JD Power 2002 report, Volvo is top european car maker for initial quality)
- Price is about $4-5k more
- 15/20 mpg (MDX is 17/23)
- 600 lbs heavier, but probably more structurally sound than the MDX
Maybe I should consider the 2.5T..
My general impression of the size is smallish. It seemed like they styled it to look smaller than it is and then packed so much into it that it also felt smaller than it is, yet it is very comfortable, luxurious and versatile. It felt more like the ultimate wagon than an SUV. I sat in the competitor models and didn't feel they had nearly the overall comfort of the XC90 (X5 had a totally flat rear bench seat, the RX dashboard /shifter were somewhat goofy, and MDX front seats were only on par with the XC90's third row cushion design). Hands down, you can't beat Volvo's seat design for comfort.
I have a few questions and issues I was hoping volvomax or someone else could address:
1) I was told that the laminated glass in the security package eliminates the window tint option. A previous dealer mentioned "less" tint in the laminated glass than the standard tint, however the reps at Alameda showed laminated glass with virtually no tint. There goes rear privacy if you order the security package.
2) The 2.5T cars we drove had the three-spoke steering wheels as part of the 2.5T premium package with what seemed to be faux wood trim. Is the steering wheel in the T6 premium package different / real wood?
3) One of the things I love about my wife's S70 is the soft tactile feel of all the controls. The plastic buttons and controls have some kind of gray coating on them. This was absent in the XC90 but present in ALL the other Volvo models they had on display. I thought perhaps these XC90 prototypes lacked the coating, but the brochure doesn't show it either. Any comments volvomax?
4) One big issue for me was the lack of child seat tether tie-downs in the third row. According to the reps, no car seats in the third row (which is intended for kids, right?). This is a significant limitation to an otherwise excellent execution of seating versatility. Will it be reconsidered in 2004?
5) The car would benefit from 2-3 inches more overall length allocated to the interior.
6) I also heard from a Volvo rep that the 2004 model year will be available in May! What changes are in store for those of us with a wait-and-see attitude? The only detail I got was that the DVD entertainment system will become a factory option at that point. Other details volvomax?
I can understand being concerned about child safety and maybe advising that one only put older kids in the third row. But a lot of newer child seats go way beyond previous standards, providing a five-point harness to older kids (assuming they can tolerate them, of course). E.g. the new Britax Marathon is a convertible that goes to 65 lbs, and the upcoming Britax Husky is a "youth seat" that goes to 80 lbs. But they both need to be top-tethered.
Does the restriction apply to booster seats? Obviously the XC90's built-in booster is great but one might not have the seating position available.
I was just at a baby store this weekend to size car seats as a last gate before deciding on the XC90, and the two Britax models you mentioned are going to be even wider than previous models (expecially the Husky). This poses a major issue for us since the second row may not allow access to the third row at all if you install two car seats / boosters in the second row.
Don't any of you try pointing me in the minivan direction either. Our second choice vehicle is the Toyota Sequoia Limited. Same price when loaded, much bigger 8-seater. However, we're leaning toward the XC90 for performance, garage-fit and environmental reasons.
Child Seats That Fit
Steve, Host
From what I've gathered regarding this, US-bound XC90s will have rear privacy with security package.
2) The 2.5T cars we drove had the three-spoke steering wheels as part of the 2.5T premium package with what seemed to be faux wood trim. Is the steering wheel in the T6 premium package different / real wood?
I did not know that the three-spoke wood steering wheel was part of the 2.5T Premium Package, I thought they only came with the T6 Premium Package. It might be a stand-alone option on the 2.5T?
I was just at a baby store this weekend to size car seats as a last gate before deciding on the XC90, and the two Britax models you mentioned are going to be even wider than previous models (expecially the Husky). This poses a major issue for us since the second row may not allow access to the third row at all if you install two car seats / boosters in the second row.
Don't any of you try pointing me in the minivan direction either. Our second choice vehicle is the Toyota Sequoia Limited. Same price when loaded, much bigger 8-seater. However, we're leaning toward the XC90 for performance, garage-fit and environmental reasons.
What you may have seen is a Euro spec car.
The wood will not be real. We just learned this from Volvo the other day.
I also noted the absence of the "softlac" coating.
I hope it will be back.
As for the tint, our 2003 XC70's have tinted security glass, although the literature for the XC90 states this will not be available.
Volvo has always disallowed child seats in their 3rd row seating. Be it in the wagon or the SUV
2004 models will be out in the fall.
The only car that may debut as a 2004 in May is the S60R.
The XC90 might get the yamaha V8 for 2004.
No argument on the length, but keep in mind that this car has to fit in Europe as well and this car is as big as they can make it for both continents.
For the SUV they do as well.
Theoretically you could do it, BUT the 3rd seat lacks the iso-fix attachment as well as the federally mandated upper tether mount on the seat back.
I'll get official clarification from Volvo, but I believe that they will continue to discourage this practice.
www.thebusinessedition.com/acct0401.htm
The MB M-class can be bought with a third row, and I do not believe they advise against forward-facing child seats (but I could be wrong). I think MB has fully tested the rear-collision performance of the vehicle internally, as has Volvo.
Thanks
Its easier to clean and repair than cloth is.
Also IMHO the cloth and vinyl in the Volvos looks cheap.
2 Yes you have to get the Prem. pkg in the 2.5T to get the third seat, because the 3rd seat is only made in leather.
3 Volvo continues to discourage child seats in the 3rd row. There is a safety issue, in an accident is would be more difficult to get to those seats and free the children in them.
4 Laminated Glass, provides more resistance to break in than safety glass. like the windshield it is a sandwich of glass, plastic and glass.
The plastic hold the window together and keeps it from shattering.
The Infra-red windshield blocks the heat rays of the sun. It is part of the warm weather pkg.
Here in Arizona we don't order our cars with this pkg because the side screens are too inefficent for us. We just end up tinting the windows and its cheaper to tint them anyway.
I wish thay Volvo would offer the windshield as a stand-alone option.
The front seats are very comfortable -- a lot like the S80. Go check out the interior of the S80 -- quality and style is alot like it, but more simplified and stylish. The power seats are one of the most comfortable seats I've sat in -- I love how it wraps around you -- snugged. Driver seat is position high but not as high as the Tahoe/Sequoia. Elbow was adequate for someone like me -- 6'.
Note that the laminated glass / security package deletes the window tint.
crikey,
In post 416 you claimed the tint is replaced with privacy glass. Is this the one-way mirror looking stuff or just clear glass?
volvomax,
What is the "R" engine and can you comment on its likelihood of being in the 2004? What's Volvo's official word on the softlac coating? Also, at the Alameda event I forgot to check whether the seat belt buckles have the auto-locking childseat feature so you don't need those pesky H-clips. Can you check on that? Appreciated.
What they are contemplating is an XC90 Executive with the Yamaha V8 @ 300-320 hp.
They want a very luxurious SUV as opposed to a high performance one.
The S70 style softlac has been disapearing from the new Volvos. The S80, S60 and V70's have less than the S70 did. I think the XC90 will eliminate it almost altogether.
Since the current Volvos have the auto-lock feature on the seatbelts I imagine the XC90 will as well. Don't know about the 3rd Row however.
I think the laminated is a no brainer.
It really does work to protect your valuables.
Plus in an accident the window falls out in one piece rather than exploding in at you.
Keep in mind the inflatable curtain only deploys in catastrophic side impacts or rollovers.
Here in AZ we tint almost all our windows anyway, so not having the factory tint is no big deal to us
thx
Steve, Host
Here is a link to all the vehicles signed up with OnStar:
http://www.onstar.com/visitors/html/va_availability.htm
Oh well, I suppose I'll have to get an aftermarket package? Prehaps it will available from the dealer as a accessory next year?
The weight referred to is the GVWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Thats redneck/truck speak for how much weight the chassis can stand to carry.
People, pets cargo fuel, the weight of the vehicle itself etc. The limit for the credit is 6000lbs. In other words the truck/SUV chassis has to carry over 6000 lbs total on its tires.
The XC90 T6 7 pass. comes in at 6080 GVWR.
2 XC90 2.5T Front Wheel Drive
Will perform better on dry pavement than the AWD version.
It lighter and the power isn't going to all 4 wheels.In bad weather the AWD will be better of course.
3 On Call Plus
Isn't coming on the XC90 because Volvo is working on a new system that will be much more advanced.
Motorola is working on a new digital system to replace the analog technology the On Call and GM's On Star use.
4 Ordered cars
Some cars order specs can be changed by the dealers and some can't.
When the dealer recieves a vehicle on allocation there is usually a time frame for them to change the vehicles spec prior to assembly time.
Some of the XC90's can be changed and some were given too late to change them.
Bi-Xenon is available, sounds like the Oakland car came too late to change.
when u arrive there, they'll have a badge ready for u. I bet if you just go there, you may be able to get in especially if some people didn't show up.
http://www.volvoxc90.com/xc90/screensaver.shtml
http://www.volvoxc90.com/xc90/wallpaper.shtml