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Changes You'd Like To See in the Volvo V70
This is the place to let Volvo and the rest of us know just what you would do to improve on the V70 in its current form. What options would you add? What standard features? Maybe you just want more color choices!
Whatever it is, share your wishlist with us here.
Whatever it is, share your wishlist with us here.
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Comments
But, how about more reliability and less trips to the dealer. The ownwership experience for many hasn't been a walk in the park. How about a bigger push on the R Series stuff and some migration down?
The Volvo designers should take a look at the Accord interior layout for side doors pockets, useful middle console (including coin holder), and cubby space in the dashboard. They might also get a few ideas from the 2001 Forester. I don't need two extra cupholders in the console lid - would prefer to see that space used for other items (see the Accord console)
I agree with the prior post on the seats, front and back. Love the way the rear seats fold to a completely flat read cargo space - and they are very comfortable.
And one other thing... the turning radius! It's huge, even on the 2.5T.
That said, my initial impressions are great otherwise... love the Volvo seats and the fat power curve of the turbo.
I think that the V70 needs more power (apparently a six is coming in 08) and much less front wheel drive bias. I would welcome something like a 30% Front, 70% rear split front to rear power allocation.
You drive an '01 XC don't you? The "front wheel drive bias" talk tipped me off, and I saw some of your other posts. You've got a bit less power than I do, and 200-300 pounds more vehicle, so no wonder you're wanting more power.
The V70 2.5T doesn't have as much power as a turbocharged Subaru, and I'm not sure what else you're comparing to. But for me, it's a noticeable (tho not huge) improvement over the 2002 Accord V6 I had before. That engine needed the RPMs to be up, and the transmission was slow to kick down... with the Volvo I come out ahead on both counts.
Yes, it's getting a 6-cylinder for 2008 (or is it '09?), 235 hp/236 ft-lb... gotta wonder how it's going to respond in those low/mid-rpm ranges.
1. Normal door lock button. the single touch button is stupid. my greatest likelyhood of using the button is when I'm in the car and need to open one of the other doors that are still locked. first push simply locks my door, must hit button a second time to open passenger doors, and of course, you can't press the button too soon. small but real annoyance when the fix is to use the traditional rocker switch - one way locks all, other unlocks.
2. better trained dealerships. Mine are complete idiots. When the sunroof started grinding while still under warranty, they made it worse. had to go back 4 times. now that car is out of warranty I come to find that they ruined the rails, which is why the thing rattles and the fix is in the thousands.
3. make the parts more affordable - have already had to replace starter and the alternator, each $800 jobs. My 1970 caddy convertible's new starter was $164.00 INSTALLED.
Broke a headlight, and had to buy the entire assembly, when it is obvious that the lense is held on only with clips, so they could offer just the lens if they so chose.
4. Stop treating customers as lepers. One of the things I remember about the Volvo company I started with was that they did NOT want to just sell you a car and have you go away until time to buy a new one. I clearly remember when they first offered intercoolers for their turbo models and offered them to existing customers as a retrofit. I thought "alright, here is a company that values me as a long term customer". The U.S. president Anne Belec is worse than useless. When i recently wrote them to plead that they import the D5 diesel model of the V70 (same power as my car, but mileage in the 40's!) I received the most pathetic whiny "we are losers" email I have ever seen. On top of that it was a real challenge to even figure out the management structure of the U.S. organization as they don't post it anywhere (Oh my god customers might want to talk to us, how icky) We should be the MOST valued members of the Volvo family. Unlike the employees, we actually PAY to be included.
It is killing me to say this, but unless they get their act together and bring me the diesel, I'll be buying a German diesel next round.
I think part of the reason people whine about Volvos is that the cost of parts and repair is akin to Bimmer/MB without any of the off setting benefits (e.g., higher status, free loaners, impressive dealership facilities, etc.) Volvo USA could easily work on this. They could feed a reman program core requirements initially with the collection of failed warranty parts they must have somewhere.
On your rattling problem, I would look at the spring seats and swaybar endlinks. I doubt the struts are bad.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S