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Prob not till 2005
I ordered a T6 in in by early August and it arrived yesterday at the dealer. I am planning to pick it up soon.
I see that volvo has increased the base price and I was asked to pay the new MSRP. I think the total increase is by a few hundred dollars.
Previously I saw some postings here which said if order was placed before Aug 26 then volvo honors the old prices.
Recently has anybody gone thru a similar experience?
Thanks
Anand
My thoughts & opinion
I will post my experience once I am done with the process.
Anand
This forum is great in exchanging views on problems with car , also the good things, which helps new buyers.
The dealer agreed to honor the old price, but not before I got little upset.
I am picking up the car tomorrow, quite excited. will post how things go in couple of weeks.
Anand
Two important concerns are economy and safety. Logic tells me that RSC and DTSC will be more effective in AWD. Is that the case? I'm not worried about off-road traction or poor weather drivability (I live in L.A.). If the safety features are as effective in FWD, then that is what I'll get. If AWD is safer under normal driving conditions I will get that. PLEASE ADVISE!
FM reception: Has this been addressed for '04 or is it still poor?
Security package + aftermarket tint: Since the radio antenna is in the windows, does tinting the security windows adversely affect the already weak FM reception?
Turbo cooldown: I've had two turbo-charged cars before, both required a cooldown period before you turned the ignition off. Is that also the case with the XC90?
Dolby stereo: Is there that much of a difference between the 8 speaker stereo and the 12 speaker Dolby stereo? I gave both a brief listen and did not hear much difference. Is the premium package worth the extra money? Seems to me both can use a subwoofer.
Speaking of subwoofers... If I have the 5-seater, can I easily have a subwoofer installed in the same place the factory subwoofer would be installed? Is an additional amp recommended, or can the built in stereo handle the sub?
Thank you!
I've read comparisons of the XC90 to LOTS of other cars. But right now Cadillac dealers are blowing out their '03 Escalades for the price of a well-equiped XC90.
I have my own reasons for preferring the XC90 (economy, crash compatibility and roll-over risk). But I'm curious to hear how you folks would weigh in on this. It's awfully tempting to throw logic aside and get the Escalade for over $10K off MSRP. Psychologically, it feels like you're getting so much more car for the same price. But my conscience seems to be screaming XC90! louder than my ego is screaming ESCALADE!
Regards to the FM reception: We have the Dolby surround premium sound package with the subwoofer.
The weaker FM stations weakness is pronounced in surround mode, which is generally true with most stereos I`ve owned that had surround or `stereo wide' capabilities. I don't know if this is true in the base stereo offered. This is only what I've noticed with the Dolby.
Regards to the turbo cooldown: Volvo recommends idling the engine for a minute or two for turbo cooldown IF you have just finished a particularly hard drive with high rpms. Normal driving (from what I recall of the owner's manual) is not a problem.
Dolby Stereo: We test drove two different models - one with the premium sound and one without. The Dolby surround to me had a fuller, richer sound quality (I might add neither tester was equipped with a subwwofer). It helps to take along some of your favorite cd's and test it that way vs. just the radio. In addition to the premium sound package, we purchased the subwoofer and it makes a big difference in the depth. Trucks and SUV's aren't known for their ability to provide bass depth, even with a good sound system. So many of my friends who have had SUV's nearly always bought an after-market subwoofer.
The subwoofer is not just one speaker, but a series of 4 speakers that are positioned in the side panels, I believe. When we prchased ours, they showed us the diagram for the subwoofer system. I expected one speaker in the floor, but that's not the case.
Volvomax, who regularly posts on this site, may be able to provide info regarding the subwoofer amp question.
Hope this helps and good luck on your decision!
I mean, for true Dolby listening, don't you need dolby encoding on the source? How can you get Dolby Surround from FM or a CD if it wasn't encoded for Dolby Surround?
This is rather deceptive; if the premium sound package uses DSP then it is not Dolby surround. If it is true Dolby Surround, the sound quality is actually degraded if the source is not recorded with a Dolby Surround decoder in mind.
The following site provides info regarding your Dolby question. Whether the sound is `degraded' or not , I don't know. I just know that there was a difference in quality with the Dolby surround on vs. turned off. Again, I listen to cd's 90% of the time.
http://www.dolby.com/ht/co.br.0107.PLIIListenersGuide.htmlv
Also, can anyone please comment on how tinting the windows on a car equipped with the security package might affect FM reception?
Thanks!
Thanks.
-rollie
rdollie@att.net
My FWD XC90 (I live in CA too) does have RSC and DTSC. It also has a button to de/activate DTSC.
FM reception, make sure the tint you use has a minimum of metal content!
Turbo cool down, only really applies to highway driving for an extened period of time, or racing!
The Dolby is a true Pro logic II system. The is an encoder.
In fact, Volvo recommends NOT using the Dolby setting on your stereo if your reception is poor.
The sub is a self contained unit, so I don't know about a separate amp. The Audiomax system does have a separate amp though.
We haven't tried to dealer install the sub, but I don't see whay you couldn't if you have a 5 seater.
You will need a Vadis software download for the stereo though.
Good Luck!
As for the Escalade, its a re-badged Tahoe, to me it symbolizes all the excess of the SUV market.
Yes you can get on for the price of the XC90, but the XC90 will be more economical and have much better resale.
Remember, once a bargain ALWAYS a bargain.
Volvomax, did Volvo make a change on the XC90 with regards to the subwoofer? When ours arrived the salesrep had not expected the subwoofer configuration that it was equipped with. I believe he was expecting a centrally-located (one speaker) subwoofer in the rear. Was there a change from the 03' to 04' model?
Based on what you've said, FWD is the obvious choice. It's lighter, cheaper and less to go wrong. That translates into better handling, fuel economy and cost. That said, I prefer AWD for the bad weather and bad roads where I live.
The many audio questions are hard to answer. Sound quality is so subjective. The premium system sounds better to me and FM reception seems on a par with other cars I've owned.
The nav system is a whole other topic. It works well but the DVD drive is in a poor location. You would need to use it a lot to justify the cost.
How can the vehicle control systems work as effectively on FWD as AWD? If you have a situation where the front wheels are losing traction, wouldn't an AWD model apply power to the rear wheels while reducing power to the front?
Whereas in this situation, a FWD model would be powerless to correct the situation until the front wheels were able to regain traction.
Am I missing something?
(1) is to keep the car in the intended path. It involves controlling the brakes so it works equally well in both FWD and AWD. It's a great safety feature and can reduce crashes by up to 35%:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-08-06-rollover_x.htm
The web site also has a good explanation about how stability control works (click on "interactive graphic on the top right)
(2) is about maintaining maximum traction and involves both the brakes and the power train. It helps when you want to speed up in slippery conditions and is more about performance than safety. In this case AWD is definitely better than FWD.
In short, if you just need the safety aspect of DSTC, FWD should be enough. If you want performance on slippery road/off-road, get AWD.
You say: It helps when you WANT to speed up in slippery conditions and is more about performance than safety... If you want performance on slippery road/off-road, get AWD.
I say, in an emergency situation, you may very well NEED to speed up in slippery conditions. It's not hard to think of an emergency situation that would require acceleration instead of braking. Therefore, it seems to me that AWD is the safer option. Better performance is icing on the cake.
A previous poster said that FWD offered better performance and better gas mileage. Seems to me that performance is better with AWD and according to Volvo's website, gas mileage is the same on both AWD and FWD versions of the 5 cylinder.
I feel like I've finally got a handle on this. Any differing opinions?
With AWD at least you have a chance of maintaining some control in the back wheels, right? I've never driven anything but RWD cars, so perhaps I'm over-estimating the ability of AWD.
With respect to the bigger engine, I would agree that in some cases a bigger engine is safer, but I don't think there's enough difference between the XC90 5 and 6 cylinder engines to make one more safer than the other in a split-second emergency situation. After all, 0-60 there's only a .5 second difference, so over a span of 50-100 feet the difference is probably negligible.
I have the 2.5 AWD and it is fairly sluggish. Maybe it is the turbolag. It is anything but nimble. I get into my honda odyssey and I feel like I am in a BMW! You get used to the lumbering starts but when you get in another car, it reminds you how sluggish the XC90 is.
The key fob. NoToo big, the little ring come off, and the key always opens in my pocket.
The headlight switch design...well it sucks. It is "automatic" but you have to remember to have it in one position during the day and another at night to be able to use the high beams. In the horizontal position the regular lights come on at night...great-it is automatic...except you can't lock the high beams!!! What is the purpose of this? Who remembers to turn the knob? It is just silly.
Fog lights. Hard to get to buttons...confusing which is the back and which is the front.
No chirp or option of chirp on door lock. Have to turn around to see if it is locked...not safe in the parking lot.
Autowiper switch should be a button like the back wiper button. There is no way to know whether it is on except to push down on the switch to the next setting to see where it is....defeats the purpose.
Lumbar support hard to get to. You have to twist around to get to it so you can't sit in the seat the way you normally would. Needs to be electric or in a better place.
Cruise control on button is in a bad place. Gets pushed down inadvertantly where it is.
Volvo nameplate on steering wheel can be sharp. If you hit the horn hard withe the steerring wheel truned upside down (going around a turn) you will slice your palm....I did.
Hand hold bars in a bad place. They are right over the door in my other car and much more useful...maybe it is because of the side airbag....donn't know.
Middle booster nice but narrow. Can't really put 3 adults across middle like in Acura.
No delayed functioning of the windows. When you turn the car off, you can't put up the windows.
Dash design. The rubber spaces for pens on either end of the shift area are magnets for dirt and dust. It looks and feels unattractive. There is no good place for coins. Can;t see the lights on the ac. Need clock on radio display.
Navigation. There should be a mute. In order to mute the system you have to go through long menus. Whatever it was on the radio you wanted to hear is long over. This is a problem for thos of us that listen to talk and news stations. Often I set it from home and don't need the directions until I get closer to my destination....but there it is truning down the radio.
Heating/Air conditioning. It really isn't clear how to work this....when to put it on auto or when it is on manual. Since it doesn't read out the internal temperature, knowing where to set the temp dial is hard....When I want it a bit colder, I don't know where to set it cause I don't know what temperature it already thinks it is.
Probs with my car.....I had spring probs with my emerg brake and the back seat mechanism was defective. The button fell off the seat adjustment.
Good car...needs some improvement given the price.
Volvo should address these mistakes since I see them re-occurring for other owners as well.
Your right on the money as far as the grab being in the wrong position.
Love the subwoofer. If you love music, you must get it installed at the dealer - just ask my 19 year-old.
Is there a kit for woodgrain dash kit available that matches factory colors ?
Earlier this week we took delivery of our '04 T6 w/premium, climate, subwoofer, and bi-xenons. It's our fourth Volvo and a fabulous car, but I'm a little confused by the headlights. Although the light is whiter in color, the low beams only go out about 30 feet ahead of the vehicle. The high beams only raise the beam but don't brighten it. Going down hills with low beams on is disconcerting because the beam length shortens even more, and high beams don't improve it much. We live in a hilly area so this is a major concern. In reading some of the earlier posts, I can't find any comments about how they should work, or how they should be aimed. I noticed that the inboard lights don't go on as I would expect when the high beams are on. Dealer says these are part of the daytime running light system, and the elevated beam is the only high beam. Any comments or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
happyvolvo
P.S. To shadowchaser: I think the assist grips are placed so someone in a wheelchair can reach them. On your advice, I'll be sure not to lean on the horn while executing a turn.
Any truth to this Volvomax, ANT14 or any other expert?
I just ordered a T-6 and don't want it to be outdated immediately!
Although the Palm solution has certain appeal it has nowhere near the integration and ease of use. If you use the nav system much, safety alone probably argues for the Volvo system. Convenience is a second reason.
My hand is healed....but it was a nasty cut. Someone stopped short in front of me and I hit the horn with the palm of my hand and it was instant slice. I wonder what would happen if the airbag went off. Would I get the Volvo logo imprinted on my forehead?
There is much discussion and photos of the bi-xenon lighting system on "unnamed forums" which I'm not allowed to mention here. I'll try an all-too-brief summary.
The inboard lights are halogens and, in U.S. models, provide the daytime running lights. The outboard lights are the bi-xenons that are used at night and for high beams; indeed, they rotate up to illuminate farther ahead in high-beam mode. You can only "flash-to-pass" with the bi-xenons in the daytime setting (light switch at 9 o'clock). The illumination qualities of bi-xenons are very different from halogens and are superior in theory.
Different opinions on the bi-xenons. Some people love 'em, others hate 'em. I like them. There seem to be a lot of factors at play including personal perception, proper aiming, Volvo's application, and understanding how they work. To add to the confusion, European XC90's are programmed differently. Read the manual, give yourself time to get use to them, look at other discussions, and decide for yourself.
See you later,
wsag
Well my car came in after 12 long weeks without the bi-xenons. I can't change the facts, so now I'm faced with "Are they really better? and "How do they compare to the standard lights?" Please let me know your experiences and fast. The dealer had the nerve to tell me if I don't want it they already have a new buyer. Thanks very much!
V8 sourced from Yamaha, displacement 4.5L.
Figure 300 hp for starters, also a new 5speed gearbox will go with it.
Anyone interested in this approach? Any comments on the viability? I live in the NY tri-state area and would be willing to speak with anyone who is interested.
thanks
jginnyc@aol.com
Let's keep it at the theoretical level on the boards and only address whether it makes sense.
tidester, host
Interesting situation. Well, I like 'em but the feeling is not universal among owners. They are bright white with a sharply defined area. Some people prefer the more gradual cutoff of halogens. Light perception is fairly subjective, so your best bet is to compare the 2 systems at night on different cars. If the dealer has a bi-xenon equipped XC90, park it next to yours and see which you like. If no XC90 is available, compare XC70s.
Thanks