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Gee which one teo get,hmmm?
Seriously, good on Volvo not starting abpve $40K, this will surely impact Audi and BMW (their AWD models).
I have already test driven the BMW and Infiniti and both cars are awesome, but a little out of my price range (I need to save $ for a bike). The Volvo looks fine, but comfort, power, and handling are very important to me as well. I was hoping for a coupe, but I may have to settle for a sedan.
I'm going to test the S60 T5 tonite, but sometimes it's a little hard to tell from a test drive.
Can anyone comment objectively on the quality of the stereo upgrade in the S60? I've read it is truly amazing. Unfortunately, my local dealer had no cars on the lot with the upgrade, so I couldn't hear it for myself. A superb stereo can easily shift the balance for me. (I am currently considering G35, BMW 330xi, Saab 9-3...)
Thanks!
Supremely comfortable car, thanks to the seats, driving position, phenomenal Prol Logic system and quiet ride.
Power? This car in manual form is simply a brute. The Geartronic takes away quite a bit of the intial accelaration but it does make up for it in the end. The Volvo is good off the line, but it positively honks to 100mph, faster than any sedan in its group and just .3 behind the S4. That, my firends, is a true display of power. If you can find a road to use it.
Handling is average. I have the Sport suspension and 17" wheels (Thor), I find the steering is very good but sometimes lacks feel in aggressive driving. It has a lot of grip and is very good in slalom but quick transitions can be tricky. Of course, this is all relevant at 9/10ths driving or at the limit. Otherwise, it has a much better ride than the 330i and G35 and pretty much equal to the A4.
Lastly, if you want a coupe, I think the silhouette of the beautiful S60 should help! Good luck but they aren't any losers in this crowd of cars. they are all fantastic.
As Edmunds wrote in their review, the clarity and surround sound can bring tears to your eyes. you must find a system to test...you simply will not beleive your ears! From amazing highs to young punk quality bass, this system has it all.
The only system that was remotely close at the time of my purchase was not the BMW (average and tinny) but the jag X-Type with the optional Alpine system was remarkable.
You have NO idea how much influence an awesome stereo can have over my car purchase.
The S60 has moved to the top of my list, neck and neck with the Saab 9-3 Arc (which isn't out yet). Then to decide...T5 or AWD? Any thoughts?
Dave
I believe the new R's (S60 and V70) are due in showrooms in March or so. At least that is what I've gathered from all my research so far. I'm very interested in the 70 myself. ;-)
-Ian
Am I doomed to spending 8K more for the S80 because of the back seat?
http://vcc.volvocars.se/r/
For current owners, a question:
What do you like least about your S60? (I am sure there are so many things to like about the car, I find it more useful to hear about the gripes)
On a side note, I'm really intrigued about the S60R. Anyone have any thoughts/advance info about it?
Thanks!
Semi-active suspension w/ 3 different damping modes.
Basically, a sports car for the street.
2000 to be built for America.
Mean price somewhere around $43000.
Do you like to drive fast?
Do you like sports cars?
If so go for it!
Do you like comfort and quiet?
Do you hate to shift gears?
If so go with the S60 2.4T or AWD.
Fianlly drove our 03 AWD, nice car.
Almost as fast as the 2.4T and feels alot more stable.Plus you can get the T5 seats with it!
I would have to say that the steering isn't the best I have sampled. Keep in mind that it is fine for everyday driving, it is when you drive aggressively that it doesn't respond as I would like. in time, you know how to throw your car, but on a test drive, it may put you off.
http://www.swedespeed.com/main_news/01_03_03.html
Also, an FYI, vvspy.com (as well as Swedespeed.com) is a great resource and a more active forum than this
Mostly for budget reasons.
The 60 is more fun to drive.
If you don't need the backseat, go with the 60.
As for the R, we don't know when we will be getting a demo car.
Also, What is the price for an S60 2.4T with only leather and geartronic tranny? Is the rebate still available?
Dave
I am 6'3" 250 and have no problems with the front of the S60 lots of room and great seats, if only the damned thing would not squeak. I want very much to love this car, but right now, i am not really happy with it.
I went down to the Volvo dealer to try and figure out which s60 I wanted. I found out that I could get an s80 for the price of a loaded s60 awd. The s80 is a 2.9 model with the premium pkg, cold climate pkg, and 17" wheels. My concern is ... is the base engine on the 2.9 strong enough, and have the reliability problems with the s80 been fixed. The s80 is really a better choice for me because of the increased rear legroom over the s60. I'm comfortable in both. The s60 seems to me to be "sportier", but the s80 did drive and handle well.
I realize I'm on the s60 forum, but I'd like to know what you guys think.
1. The dealer tried to dissuade me from the upgrade stereo and traction control as they would be "special orders". I can wait 6 weeks, so I'm not too concerned, but I wouldn't want to pay $1300 for a stereo that I hadn't heard. Are they so unusual that it's hard to find one to hear on the lot?
2. Is the traction control worth the $700? Does it kick in often in snowy/icy conditions? Dealer tried to downplay it, but if I weren't worried about traction, I wouldn't want AWD.
3. Re: the dual climate control -- can you set it so that the driver is the master control; ie, if I'm alone, I don't always have to adjust both? (side note: why not digital? Can't have everything, I guess ...)
4. Any thoughts on the navigation system?
5. Any idea how long the 1.9% for 60 months financing will last?
6. Do they come off sticker at all on the 2003s? I assume if any 2002s are left, I won't be able to get the traction or upgraded stereo.
7. Is it possible to get an auto-dim mirror without the rest of the touring package?
8. How does Volvo rate for repair/maintenance costs compared to, say, a BMW or Audi?
Any other thoughts, suggestions, warnings ...?
The audiomax is a wonderful system, but only offered on the T5 or AWD, so not very common.
If your not an audiophile the standard system is very good too.
2DSTC.
Is a yaw control program, designed to help keep a car from spinning out if you are driving thru a curve in rain or snow.
If your planning on racing in the wintertime, go for it. Otherwise the standard drive system will protect you as long as you use some common sense in foul weather
3Dual climate
Is independent for each side.
Volvo prefers knobs and dials since they are simpler.
4Nav system
A nice toy. If you do alot of traveling worth it, otherwise I'd pass on it.
5 1.9% financing
The audiomax is a wonderful system, but only offered on the T5 or AWD, so not very common.
If your not an audiophile the standard system is very good too.
2DSTC.
Is a yaw control program, designed to help keep a car from spinning out if you are driving thru a curve in rain or snow.
If your planning on racing in the wintertime, go for it. Otherwise the standard drive system will protect you as long as you use some common sense in foul weather
3Dual climate
Is independent for each side.
Volvo prefers knobs and dials since they are simpler.
4Nav system
A nice toy. If you do alot of traveling worth it, otherwise I'd pass on it.
5 1.9% financing
is offered thru the end of Feb, no word on an extension
6 Discount off sticker
Should be able to get something, unless the car is in high demand in your area. No rebate though.
7 Auto dim mirror
Only thru tour pkg.
8 repair/maintenance
Audi and BMW offer free maintenance for 50k, after that your on your own, they get expensive from there.
Volvo priced less so no free maintenance, service every 7500 miles.
costs average for $30,000+ car.
Repairs can be costly for any European car, if you plan on keeping the car past the warranty period consider an extended warranty.
Basically the 03 is a better car than the 02, more power and better driveability.
The Acura has more power, is a little bigger, and really has more "giddy-up", but the interior isnt as nice, the lack of airbags (curtain) is somewhat of a concern from a safety standpoint, and I don't like that the rear seats dont fold.
The Volvo, while a 5 cylindar, still has some "go", esp with the geartronic shift (I'll miss my stick shift :-( ), and I love the comfort of the interior. The steering is so-so too. Also, the local dealer has his own twist on the current travel abroad package, and I can get the 2.4T with the premium, touring, sport and climate packages for 29500, which is close to 5500 less that the msrp here in the states (and even below invoice). Not to mention the trip, which is nice :-).
I also looked at the G35, and while I loved the power, I didnt care much for the interior and it was more "sporty" than what I was looking for.
Anyone have anything else I should be considering? I'm also expecting a kid soonish, and need to think about space in the backseat for a carseat.
Thanks!!!
You probably already know this, but the TL is due to be replaced real soon now, on a platform based on the new Accord. It should be significantly improved, more expensive, and have better safety features like side curtain airbags.
Personally, I would not buy a sedan/coupe without side curtain airbags, especially with all those higher SUV's and minivans out there. NHTSA's side-impact tests are based on a small sedan hitting the car; the results could be a lot different if a big SUV t-bones the vehicle at a higher point.
Also, you might want to look at the new Acura TSX. Based on the smaller European Accord, it does have side curtains though the Volvo is still better engineered from the overall safety standpoint.
2. DSTC is phenomenal, I enjoy it as right before my house I have to do a hard left turn, so I go into the corner, when it is snowy and obviously clear, without slowing. Sure enough. the car makes the turn. I feel the front right tire brake, then the driver's rear tire brake. It is so cool. But if you are getting AWD I wouldn't bother.
3. I love the simplicity of the knobs. On my 2002 Explorer EB, I have it electronically and I enjoy the Volvo system better.
4. Waste of money, unless you travel a lot.
8. Two services a year for me, no biggie.
It is a fantastic car. Underrated because it won't win any road course races against Bimmers, etc... but in everyday driving, it is better than all the rest, IMO. That is why I got a T5.
I test drove an S60 2.4T On Saturday, found the engine has enough torque for me, but is not as smooth as the TL engine. I thought maybe all turbo engines are kind of rough, and so are some non-turbo engines that use turbo effect(e.g. TL-S engine). Even when I put the gear in parking, there is still some noticable vibration through the steering wheel. But the cabin is very-well isolated.
The front seats of S60 are firm yet comfy but little bit lacks side support. Cushion is smaller campared to TL's. Cabin feels narrower than TL but actually is wider according to the hiproom data on this website.
The TL I wanted to consider is base model, not type-S, because comfort , rather than power, is my first priority. (No money for a lexus). Compared to the S60, TL is smoother and quieter, is the best value for the money, but now I don't really trust American-built cars. For me,another bad thing on TL is the tight headroom because I am 6-2 tall. Although TL is 1 feet longer than S60, but it has only 1.5 inch more rear legroom.
Also, TL bumpers are a lot softer than the S60's, so the paint on them is easy to chip if get bumped. ( I live in a damnd "big" city where people bulldoze othe people's car away to get out parking spot.) Especially S60 has rubber protector on the bumpers.
Here is the compariso:
//TL pros//: Xenon, Large, 6-disk changer, smoothness, residual value.
//TL cons//: thin body panel easy to get dent, American-bulit quality, potential tranny issue.
//S60 pros//: Comfort front seats, cool styling, autostick is nicer than TL's, thick panels and hard bumpers.
//S60 cons//: no Xenon, small backseats, rear visibility, expensive.
Have to find a bank that will do a lease with the car out of the country
In addition, I would appreciate any feedback on reliability and quality of service. I hold cars for longer time and usually so not have significant problems. Of course, this model is relatively new.
Thanks in advance
Anyways, I have a couple questions regarding the installation of a Britax Roundabout convertible child safety seat. First, we tried our darndest and just could not get it in securely in the center rear seating position (the seat is not a LATCH/ISO-FIX model). No matter how hard we tried it was always loose and could easily shift from side to side. Has anyone had success at putting a child seat in the center rear position? We ended up putting it on an outboard position, where it's solid as a rock.
Second - at the rear of the front seat rails there is a metal "loop," one on each rail. Are these teather anchors for teathering rear-facing child safety seats? I couldn't find ANYTHING about them in the owner's manual. Thanks in advance.
I don't know what state you live in, but here in NJ you can get a loaded s60 2.4t or awd for well under invoice. There are some great deals out there now because the 2004's will be out in a couple of months, and I think that volvo is trying to unload the 2003's.
Dave
Lots of good information there.
Does Britax have a latch kit available for that seat? If so that might help.
Lastly, call your local police or fire dept. Usually someone on staff is trained and certified in the proper installation. They may even advise you not the use the center location if they feel the seat cannot be installed properly there.
Good Luck.
:-)
Good luck and enjoy your new S60!
CMNOTT: my wife swears she's pushing down as hard as she can on the seat. We'll probably try again this afternoon. The only thing I can think of is a possible compatability issue between the Roundabout and the middle seat. As I said, we'll keep trying.
PAT: I can do that? Cool! Whadya think - VolvoMazdaDude ... hmmm, may as well be FordGuy. *LOL*
Dave I live in Pa. The dealer told me that I could do even better if I do a European delivery. I can get a discount threw the company I work for, but I was told that I could do better if I go over and pick it up. I'm really thinking about it. I have famaly in Europe and it would be great for 2003 xmas. I want to odered a S60 AWD at the end of this year. A 2004 model. Unless the S80 comes out with AWD.