If this car wasn't a slushie... (Grrr...)

[TD]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volvo-V70-2006-V70R-AWD-Wagon-Rare-Sonic-Blue-20K-Nav-CD-NO-RESERVE-40-Pics_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6464QQihZ015QQitem Z250017866189QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[bren]

Wow, that sure is blue.

[rumatt]

I haven't been following...

What's that car do that the Saab didn't?

[TD]

I haven't been following...

What's that car do that the Saab didn't?
One can put a third row in it, it's AWD rather than FWD, and it's got an extra 70 hp.

And it likely won't strand us nearly as often.

[iateyourcheese]

Wow, that sure is blue.

Even the gauges and part of the engine cover are blue.

[Mr. The Edge]

That color is absolutely atrocious.

[clyde]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volvo-V70-2006-V70R-AWD-Wagon-Rare-Sonic-Blue-20K-Nav-CD-NO-RESERVE-40-Pics_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6464QQihZ015QQitem Z250017866189QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

The first question I have is why you do you bother looking at listings for cars that don't meet your basic requirements? The next question is: Is there any possible outcome other than tormenting yourself? And finally: If you're tormenting yourself, is that basic requirement so basic that it's really a requirement?

And it likely won't strand us nearly as often.

How many times has the Saab stranded you?

Have you noticed that these Volvos you're looking at are Volvos, and as such aren't exactly exactly immune from stranding their owners?

[TD]

We're up to 3 strandings with the Saab and, since the end of May, it's been out of warranty.

I got lucky with a DIY repair of the last failure, but it would have been VERY expensive had I not figured out a cheaper fix.

[bren]

Have you noticed that these Volvos you're looking at are Volvos, and as such aren't exactly exactly immune from stranding their owners?

:lol:

[lemming]

join me on the dark side. swallow the bitter pill and allow for an automatic. at least you always have the e90 to drive, too.

the R wagon is really nice. and if the only thing holding you back is the geartronic, i'd just buy it if i had a family with needs that the car could solve.

[TD]

join me on the dark side. swallow the bitter pill and allow for an automatic. at least you always have the e90 to drive, too.

the R wagon is really nice. and if the only thing holding you back is the geartronic, i'd just buy it if i had a family with needs that the car could solve.
Nah. There are plenty of R manuals out there.

I just had never seen this color combo before and it was otherwise loaded with options I'm finding to be rare and that we want - like the integrated second row booster seats.

But the Saab has to be sold before we can seriously consider any of the Rs (CarMax is a last resort).

[lemming]

i've seen that color in person and it's wicked(ly) sharp.

[TD]

i've seen that color in person and it's wicked(ly) sharp.
I have too. It's rather estoril-like. And was not available as a regular order color.

[lemming]

I have too. It's rather estoril-like. And was not available as a regular order color.

just buy it.

:D

[Plaz]

That color is absolutely atrocious.

:+1

And I'm a big fan of blue cars.

[ARCHER]

I have too. It's rather estoril-like. And was not available as a regular order color.

I was going to say... looks a lot like Estoril to me - gorgeous color.

I'm solidly in the manual tranny camp, though. No way would I buy that car sans a manny.

[FC]

http://www.v70r.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3717

There are MT cars here and there.

I'd love a manual, but my wife won't budge on that. It has to be a slushie.

I keep hearing of people getting new, nicely loaded V70R's for under 40K.

Oh, and I just heard that Volvo offers a factory extended warranty to 7 years, 100K miles. That is awesome.

[lemming]

http://www.v70r.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3717

There are MT cars here and there.

I'd love a manual, but my wife won't budge on that. It has to be a slushie.

I keep hearing of people getting new, nicely loaded V70R's for under 40K.

Oh, and I just heard that Volvo offers a factory extended warranty to 7 years, 100K miles. That is awesome.

do you think i should drive one? i'll rely on your opinion here. the cars that i've limited the list to are: 9-3aero sportkombi (cheap, but FWD, with 6sp man), magnum R/T (i would skip AWD), and an E350 4matic. the 328xiT might be an option but i think it's smallish (esp. compared to the 9-3kombi) and i am unsure if the 530xiT comes with a manual.

[equ]

i am unsure if the 530xiT comes with a manual.

It does. But it's so ugly and so $$$$.

[TD]

It does. But it's so ugly and so $$$$.
Bingo.

And S L O W.

For me (I'm not talking about lemming's requirements), if we get another wagon, it would be one with a 3rd row. No third row, why bother. We'd just get a larger sedan (like an E39). So there is no point (for us) in an E91. And we wouldn't get another Saab if our lives depended on it.

[Mr. The Edge]

......... And we wouldn't get another Saab if our lives depended on it.

Not exactly fair.

If all Saab's are as bad as you purport yours to be, they would've been out of business a LONG time ago.

Perhaps your perception has become your reality.

[lemming]

Bingo.

And S L O W.

For me (I'm not talking about lemming's requirements), if we get another wagon, it would be one with a 3rd row. No third row, why bother. We'd just get a larger sedan (like an E39). So there is no point (for us) in an E91. And we wouldn't get another Saab if our lives depended on it.


well, the 9-5 in the model year 2000 was still teething a lot. owned a 99 9-5 wagon and had the same bugaboos that TD's car had. obviously over the m odel run, the car got more reliable.

because of GMS pricing the saab 9-3kombi (with the turbo v6 and 6sp) is really appealing. it is spacious and so forth. but it is FWD, but i think i might be able to live with that for a commuter. the new 9-5 is around the corner, too, so i will give that a long hard look.

it's unfortunate that SAAB is so stupid. their refusal to engineer AWD into their cars is inexcusable in the modern marketplace. i'll bet GM had to beat their heads to bloody pulps to get it into the queue for the new 9-5 chassis, too (if at all).

that V70R ain't exactly cheap, either, boys.

[JST]

well, the 9-5 in the model year 2000 was still teething a lot. owned a 99 9-5 wagon and had the same bugaboos that TD's car had. obviously over the m odel run, the car got more reliable.

because of GMS pricing the saab 9-3kombi (with the turbo v6 and 6sp) is really appealing. it is spacious and so forth. but it is FWD, but i think i might be able to live with that for a commuter. the new 9-5 is around the corner, too, so i will give that a long hard look.

it's unfortunate that SAAB is so stupid. their refusal to engineer AWD into their cars is inexcusable in the modern marketplace. i'll bet GM had to beat their heads to bloody pulps to get it into the queue for the new 9-5 chassis, too (if at all).

that V70R ain't exactly cheap, either, boys.

Have you driven a 9-3 Kombi? I drove the Aero with a stick (V6). My prediction? You won't like it, even as a commuter. It's got a ropy shifter, no steering feel, a steering wheel that is actually a bit painful to grasp, and the car that I drove (with 7 miles on it) was already starting to rattle.

Oh, and because of "torque management" software, it's not that fast in 1st gear. Second isn't bad, but it's not going to pin your ears back.

[FC]

do you think i should drive one? i'll rely on your opinion here. the cars that i've limited the list to are: 9-3aero sportkombi (cheap, but FWD, with 6sp man), magnum R/T (i would skip AWD), and an E350 4matic. the 328xiT might be an option but i think it's smallish (esp. compared to the 9-3kombi) and i am unsure if the 530xiT comes with a manual.

I think you should. I'm a big fan of the MB's but they just got that much pricier. Basically, a V70R is a good $20K cheaper than an E350 in real dollars, and that is A LOT of money.

The 6-speed slushie was adequate too, and it is a good 500lbs lighter than the MB with more power and torque and better brakes and handling. It actually has better seats too. And for dogs, the near vertical rear door creates more usable space.

I'd like to drive it again and push it a bit more just to be sure though. A Boston guy from the V70R forums has offered to let me meet him and check out his V70R. I may take him up on it. I think it's a stick-shift.

[Plaz]

I just saw one of the Saab Trailblazers yesterday on the road for the first time.

How completely stupid.

[lemming]

Have you driven a 9-3 Kombi? I drove the Aero with a stick (V6). My prediction? You won't like it, even as a commuter. It's got a ropy shifter, no steering feel, a steering wheel that is actually a bit painful to grasp, and the car that I drove (with 7 miles on it) was already starting to rattle.

Oh, and because of "torque management" software, it's not that fast in 1st gear. Second isn't bad, but it's not going to pin your ears back.

i recently drove the 5speed manual 2.0T kombi and both the 6sp manumatic and 6sp manual kombi wagons.

the shifter isn't worse than the CTS-V's. :) but in a car like that, you know, you wake up, see that sitting there and your expectations sag anyway. ;) i really do need the space and to avoid a bath in depreciation, GMS pricing works out really well. the only 4matic i'd get is pre-owned, but truly, the thought of doing the proper diligence ahead of time to ensure that it wasn't abused would give me a headache. i really hate pre-owned cars because of this.

[wdc330i]

Bingo.

And S L O W.

For me (I'm not talking about lemming's requirements), if we get another wagon, it would be one with a 3rd row. No third row, why bother. We'd just get a larger sedan (like an E39). So there is no point (for us) in an E91. And we wouldn't get another Saab if our lives depended on it.

Feh. The 530xit is not so slow. It gets moving when it needs to. Now the e46 325xiT we had, THAT was slow. Passing on the highway involved loads of room and premeditation--and still wasn't possible if you encountered a hill with the air conditioning on.

[Mr. The Edge]

Saab Trailblazers .

:lol:

[TD]

Feh. The 530xit is not so slow. It gets moving when it needs to. Now the e46 325xiT we had, THAT was slow. Passing on the highway involved loads of room and premeditation--and still wasn't possible if you encountered a hill with the air conditioning on.
The 530 still uses the same 3.0L that was in the E46 330i with 225 hp.

I can attest to the fact that the RWD E90 with the 255 hp 3.0L engine is no rocket ship.

Put the 225 hp engine in the 5er and add the weight of the wagon back end AND the AWD mechanicals AND the additional drivetrain power loss of the AWD system and there's just no way it's not dog slow.

I snicker when I see E60 525is. Dump trucks could beat those off the line.

[ZBB]

I just saw one of the Saab Trailblazers yesterday on the road for the first time.

How completely stupid.

I occasionally see one -- and I'm pretty sure its the same one as I see it on the way home from work and within 1 mile of a certain intersection.

While I agree its a stupid idea, its by far the best looking of the Trailblazer clones in GM...

[Mr. The Edge]

I snicker when I see E60 525is. Dump trucks could beat those off the line.

Drove my Uncle's new 525i. He did Euro delivery back in June, finally got the car here last weekend. Black sapphire, manual transmission, PP, CWP, comfort seats... but no sport package. Immediately, I noticed that the throttle response is outstanding. Like cable throttle good. And there is ZERO rev hang when shifting gears. Revs drop so quickly between shifts, that you pretty much have to shift F1-fast in order to match revs for the next gear. Lastly, the clutch grabs hard, and very early in the pedal travel. This is as it should be. I'd say that this car was easily better WRT gear rowing/throttle manipulation than the E46 or E90. And it completely puts my IS to shame. Had the E90 been this good, I can tell you that I wouldn't be driving a Lexus right now, sticker price be darned.

Also, the I6 + std transmission move this car without any effort. I expected it to be underpowered, but that wasn't the case at all.

I'm genuinely impressed.


Doesn't sound that bad according to ff.

[ZBB]

Put the 225 hp engine in the 5er and add the weight of the wagon back end AND the AWD mechanicals AND the additional drivetrain power loss of the AWD system and there's just no way it's not dog slow.

We now have 2 cars with the 225 hp 3.0 six -- my '03 E39 530i, and my wife's '06 X3 3.0i.

I haven't seen the weights, but I'd guess the X3 is only slightly lighter than the E60 530xiT. The X3 definately feels slower and heavier than my '03 530i -- but its also not a slug.

We also tested the 530xiT before leasing the X3 since it also leases well (and BMW puts a very good lease special on it every few months). My wife thought it was way too big (and I agreed -- the rear area is huge). I felt it drove OK -- but felt like a much bigger and more isolated car than my E39 -- and that contributed to it feeling slow, although it really isn't that slow...

[TD]

Well, we all have different ideas of what constitutes slow.

As I am barely satisfied with the power of my 330i, I know I would not be happy with an E60 530xiT (even if it wasn't ugly and expensive).

[equ]

Well, we all have different ideas of what constitutes slow.

As I am barely satisfied with the power of my 330i, I know I would not be happy with an E60 530xiT (even if it wasn't ugly and expensive).

Your requirements are 3rd row, power (300hp-ish for such weight & space), manual --> v70r

I don't think you have an alternative. However by my friends' xc90 experiences, the reliability/resale can only be bad.

[equ]

The 530 still uses the same 3.0L that was in the E46 330i with 225 hp.


The 5ers have already switched to the 255hp one.

[wdc330i]

The 530 still uses the same 3.0L that was in the E46 330i with 225 hp.

I can attest to the fact that the RWD E90 with the 255 hp 3.0L engine is no rocket ship.

Put the 225 hp engine in the 5er and add the weight of the wagon back end AND the AWD mechanicals AND the additional drivetrain power loss of the AWD system and there's just no way it's not dog slow.

I snicker when I see E60 525is. Dump trucks could beat those off the line.

This is incorrect information. The 530xiT has the new 3.0 litre engine with 255 hp and weighs almost exactly what the e46 325xiT did. While 255 hp for a 3,800 -lb car isn't exactly lightening fast, it does just fine.

[TD]

This is incorrect information. The 530xiT has the new 3.0 litre engine with 255 hp and weighs almost exactly what the e46 325xiT did. While 255 hp for a 3,800 -lb car isn't exactly lightening fast, it does just fine.
Again, I have that engine in my 330i (which, while heavy, falls far short of 3800 lbs) and it's underwhelming power-wise, IMO.

We all have different ideas as to what constitutes "enough" power. But I'm starting to fall into the JST and lemming camp where I need A LOT in order to be truly happy.

[wdc330i]

The 5ers have already switched to the 255hp one.


Oops. Missed this while composing. Except for the 530xiT's price, I find it exactly suited to its purpose. I don't crave more power and immediacy in it (I have that in my 330). It's an excellent highway cruiser, Home Depot hauler, and child carrier that combines an adequate amount of road feel with a luxurious, comfortable ride. It's really the only car I've ever had that I've contemplated keeping forever, or until the planet runs out of fossil fuels. I can't imagine a better mix of practicality, luxury, power, and handling capabilities. True, it doesn't have a third row. But I don't trust the safety of that positioning for kids (I don't even like my dogs riding in the rear cargo area of the big wagon). Really a minivan (blech) is probably the best for pure people hauling--though I'm not sure about their overall crash safety.

[wdc330i]

Again, I have that engine in my 330i (which, while heavy, falls far short of 3800 lbs) and it's underwhelming power-wise, IMO.

We all have different ideas as to what constitutes "enough" power. But I'm starting to fall into the JST and lemming camp where I need A LOT in order to be truly happy.


I understand. I've just given up pure power as the defining criteria for the family hauler. My sedan fits that bill well enough, given most speed limits. The two cars are really a perfect complement to each other. The wagon is fast enough to blitz around anything I need to on the highway, which is a safety feature in my opinion.

[wdc330i]

It's so much fun being a show stopper.

[ff]

I just saw one of the Saab Trailblazers yesterday on the road for the first time.

How completely stupid.

But they're "Born from Jets" ( :lol: ). I guess they want people to think that their former aircraft engineers designed the thing.