Volvo XC70/XC90

I never see anything on this group about XC70 or XC90s; does no one own
those?

I'm looking for some opinions and experiences people have had with them. We
are long-time Volvo owners, and have one of the last Volvos built before
Ford took over (2000 S70T5). We're interested in a XC70 or XC90, but are
very hesitant because now Volvos are Fords and we're concerned that the
quality has dropped.

Can anyone give us input re the XC series?

Thanx in advance.

 

try http://forums.swedespeed.com/ and

http://www.v70xc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9

 

There was an article posted here recently stating that (V40) and XC70 had
the lowest cost of ownership.
Perhaps the original poster can repost. COO includes depreciation.

G

 

There's nothing Ford in either one of them... In fact Ford is using the P2
chassis, Haldex AWD system, design of the curtain airbags, and the roll over
protection systems in their cars.

The S40 is the only Ford related product (as well as the sibling the V50
wagon)... and it's supposedly great. The chassis was a collaborative effort
between Volvo, Mazda and Ford to get the S40, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus
(European Gen-2)... The S40 uses a Volvo crash system (using different types
of steel engineered to crash the Volvo way) and Volvo engines, and pretty
much every other component that makes a Volvo a Volvo - the electro
hydraulic steering system is the same, as well as the suspension designs -
but the Focus was one of the best handling FWD cars on the market, so who
cares?

Ford buying Volvo has only, in my opinion increased Fords profits, safety,
and quality...

We're looking at the new XC70's as well, I went over one with a "fine
toothed comb" with my father at the dealership, and there was nothing to
tell us that the XC70 wasn't as good a car as our 960 was, in fact some
areas it was better, some areas is was just different or newer ways of doing
the same job.

Didn't look at the XC90, but all the Volvo's are built pretty much the same
way.

 

Actually the XC70 has a lot more in common with the V70 than the XC90.
The XC90 is more of a Volvo-Ford hybrid, especially the one with the V8.

My '01 XC70 has been a very good vehicle. The '01 was a major redesign
year. The '02 & '03 have an even better reliability record. My XC70
came with Pirelli Scorpion S/T tires which proved to be a fantastic tire.

The cars you see here are usually the ones that have the most problems.
News groups are similar to news papers, they usually concentrate on the
bad news or the unknown.

 

Volvo XC70 & V40 have lowest cost of ownership in their class

Netscape and Edmunds published a list of the most economical cars to own
in a number of different classes. Their assumptions were that the car
would be driven 75,000 miles in 5 years and then sold. It would be
bought at the best dealer new price and sold at the Edmunds private
party used sale price. Insurance, dealer maintenance costs and fuel
costs are included. So the following are the true costs of vehicle
ownership.

The report is at:
http://netscape.edmunds.com/reviews/tco/2004/index.html

Wagons
Wagon Under $15,000: Scion xB $0.35 per mile
Wagon Under $25,000: Toyota Matrix $0.34 per mile
Wagon Under $35,000: Volvo V40 $0.48 per mile
Wagon Under $45,000: Volvo XC70 $0.57 per mile
Wagon Over $45,000: Audi S4 $0.78 per mile

Sedans
Sedan Under $15,000: Toyota Scion xA $0.32 per mile
Sedan Under $25,000: Honda Civic $0.29 per mile
Sedan Under $35,000: Acura TSX $0.47 per mile
Sedan Under $45,000: BMW 3 Series $0.65 per mile
Sedan Over $45,000: Audi S4 $0.78 per mile

Convertibles
Convertible Under $25,000: Volkswagen New Beetle $0.41 per mile
Convertible Under $35,000: Toyota MR2 Spyder $0.45 per mile
Convertible Under $45,000: Nissan 350Z $0.59 per mile
Convertible Over $45,000: Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class $0.59 per mile

SUVs
SUV Under $25,000: Honda CR-V $0.36 per mile
SUV Under $35,000: Toyota Highlander $0.42 per mile
SUV Under $45,000: Infiniti FX35 $0.59 per mile
SUV Over $45,000: Volkswagen Touareg $0.60 per mile

Trucks
Compact Truck: Toyota Tacoma $0.35 per mile
Large Truck: Ford F-150 Heritage $0.49 per mile

Vans
Minivan: Honda Odyssey $0.40 per mile
Van: Ford Econoline Cargo $0.50 per mile

Coupes
Coupe Under $15,000: Toyota ECHO $0.31 per mile
Coupes Under $25,000: Honda Civic $0.31 per mile
Coupe Under $35,000: Mazda RX-8 $0.48 per mile
Coupe Under $45,000: Audi TT $0.54 per mile
Coupe Over $45,000: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class $0.67 per mile

Note that most under $15,000 vehicles are no bargain.

 

You're better off with spending a little more up front and getting a decent
car... Those people buying those really cheap economoxes are the real
suckers it seems.

 

Yes, if the money spent is for a car with low maintenance expenses and a
good resale value.

Some more expensive cars are more expensive like the Audi S4.

 

In July we purchased a 2004 XC70 - it's been great in every way.

We are first-time Volvo owners and very happy with the car. We purchased
the XC70 to replace my wife's Saab. It too was a good car and we in fact
expected to purchase another Saab. We first test-drove the XC70 and
afterward were very impressed by it. We then went to the Saab dealer and
drove the 9-5 wagon. We purchased the XC70.

We appreciate the somewhat higher seating position, the AWD, and of course
the peace of mind knowing Volvo's reputation for safety. The car cruises
nicely on the freeway, is relatively economical (combined city/highway of
about 22.5 mpg over 7000 miles), the AWD works well (we're in Montana...),
and there is adequate power.

As for the Ford factor, I have not noticed anything "Ford" about the
vehicle.

I am considering, in one or two years, purchasing the XC90 for myself based
on our experience with the XC70. One of the only drawbacks to the XC90 as
compared to the XC70 I find is only one available built-in booster seat --
the XC70 has two, which is convenient since we have two children.

Personally, I would highly recommend the XC70.

 

Thanx for the input. I have yet to figure out (I haven't been to the dealer
yet to look) what the difference is between the XC70 and the XC90 (other
than the seating you mentioned --- was that 3rd bank of seatuing you were
talking about?). You mention you may get a 90 later --- I notice that there
is a price difference, but for what?

 

The XC90 is a midsized, luxury SUV. It comes with bigger engines (well you
can get the 5 cylinder now, but I would think it would be underpowered). It
comes with 7 passenger seating, and more safety features (basically to stop
it from rolling over using electronic means and a boron-steel roof if it
does, the XC70 doesn't really need these). The XC70 is a midsized station
wagon, 5 passenger seats, roomy tho, jacked up suspension height, plastic
body cladding added, AWD system.... Personally i'd save the ~$5000 and get
the V70 AWD, but you might like the higher seating position (I don't care
for it - I'm used to scrapping the pavement in low ride height vehicles).
The XC70's come nicely equiped as standard, tho there are some necessary
add-ons, when the dealers order the XC70s and other V70's they seem to order
them pretty much fully equiped, so you only really have to do a specific
order if you don't want things like moonroof, leather, passenger power seats
etc.

You really haven't seen either one of these cars on the road or something
have you? The XC90 is massive compared to a XC70 - you'll know why it costs
more the second you see them side by side in the showroom.

 

Good summary, I want to jump in and say something here.

I laughed the first time I heard the boron steel roof advertised a
year or two ago. Who else has seen the picture of the stack of seven
140s? The one on the bottom is supporting the six others because the
roof pillars are strong enough. The 140 came out in 1966 (before I
was born!)

A super strong roof and using it as a marketing ploy is nothing new
for Volvo.

 

It was a good ad, tho I heard the doors of the bottom car had to be clamped
shut, even so... it's impressive.

Perhaps the boron steel is used to withstand the jarring impact of a
rollover collision better, when you see a car that turns over and over the
roof becomes like a pancake, maybe the XC90's roof can stay intact.