P3 is lightyears ahead of the P2
I had both. Can't compare them.

[emoji833]️[emoji834]️?

 

Ok thanks, did you experience any of the problems that I was concerned about?

 

Hi folks,

New to the world of Volvo but I need a new car here in Finland and after a bunch of research on Subaru Outbacks, Ford Rangers, older HiLux and the Volvo XC70 I think I have settled on the Volvo in a D5 Diesel.

But I have no idea if it is better to get a late model P2 like a 2006 ocean Race or 2007 Summum, or a newer P3 model, like a 2008-2010 maybe?

I was hoping someone could illuminate me on why one version is better than the other...

If I am correct...I heard that the P3 felt sluggish, heavier, slower and had issues with rust that the P2 didn't. But the P3 was overall more dependable?

I have both, though we don't get diesels in the States. The P3 is more of a luxury car, feels a little more Ford and a little less Volvo - I know some people will say that's horrible but I don't mind it. I have the T6 so performance wise the P3 is a cut above the P2 - 300 hp vs. 208 hp lol. I don't know about the diesel comparison. The concern about rust is valid, especially on the older P3's where I've seen posts of subframes rusted out and needing to be replaced - you'd want to look into that on any car you're considering. I've had some light surface rust on the subframe of my P3 but it's not that bad yet.

 

P2 is more reliable
P3 is more comfortable/smooth
P2 cheaper to maintain

[emoji833]️[emoji834]️?

 

I am of course biased, given that I own 2 P3s, but definitely go with a P3. They are just infinitely better looking and I think better build quality. Hell I drove an 850 til it died cause I was waiting for the day I could afford to buy a P3, skipping the P2 altogether. Whoever decided that it was a good idea to let an Englishman design a Swedish car should be ashamed .
In my opinion, the only reason to buy a P2 v/xc70 is to get a proper 'r'.
I haven't had any issues with rust on my cars.
Also, I think that the next gen of Haldex system starts in '09.
If it was in your budget I'd look for a dynamic edition xc70. That was the trim where they finally got the suspension firmed up:

 

You dumped your 2010RD, huh?

I am of course biased, given that I own 2 P3s, but definitely go with a P3. They are just infinitely better looking and I think better build quality. Hell I drove an 850 til it died cause I was waiting for the day I could afford to buy a P3, skipping the P2 altogether. Whoever decided that it was a good idea to let an Englishman design a Swedish car should be ashamed .
In my opinion, the only reason to buy a P2 v/xc70 is to get a proper 'r'.
I haven't had any issues with rust on my cars.
Also, I think that the next gen of Haldex system starts in '09.
If it was in your budget I'd look for a dynamic edition xc70. That was the trim where they finally got the suspension firmed up:

 

Awesome thank you. Any opinions on a manual vs automatic?

 

Haha, I'd love a manual but all we get in the US are automatics.

 

Yea I figured, they are pretty rare even here it seems. I'm just wondering if I should focus on a manual in general

 

My experience with Volvo's manuals is a little limited - one car, but it was just okay for me - long throws, imprecise. I'd get the automatic.

 

I have a P2 XC70 and a P3 S80 V8. The P3 platform is an evolutionary step - sure, everything is a little nicer, modern, better damped and quieter, but it's not the paradigm shift you get going from P3 to SPA. For my money, it would come down to the right car. If you find a pristine 2007 P2 versus a tired P3, I'd be inclined to go with condition rather than platform.

 

Don't throw rocks at Joseph. It's possibly one of two P3 T6 awd V70s (a P3R) in the nation (that other guy who did the white one). The 2010 RD wasn't mean enough but looked cool (especially in white, red or black - the only three colors thay made, I think). IIRC WIwagon's was a black model.
Your car is super, but I do wish Volvo had made a T6 wagon variant that wasn't XC and riding high. I'd have both!

 

I think that because CC lives in Europe and sees v70s and xc70s for all years of the P3 he believes that xc70s should stay xc70s and if you want a v70 then just buy a v70...but on this side of the Atlantic we didn't have the option of a v70 for the last 2/3 of the P3s (6 out of 9 years), so for us we are wanting to fill that void and the easiest way to do that is to modify an xc70.
So, I think that it is just a case of "cultural differences"

 

Totally true! Never thought about it like that. Exactly. V70's and XC70's
Not throwing rocks just honest. It does look nice don't get me wrong. Strange they never introduced the V70 in the US.

[emoji833]️[emoji834]️?

 

What is wrong with SPA in the US now!!? Limited stuff?

[emoji833]️[emoji834]️?

 

Yes, for example, the T6 V60 was discontinued, so the alternatives are FWD T5 or T8.

 

It's all about reaching Co2 targets these days. Game Over. Drove the fastest TESLA on the market yesterday. God that was fast but Man do they look ugly or what!!?

Some cars grow old gracefully like the P3 but this electric crap looks terrible to begin with. Glad TESLA bought some Bitcoin however. That helped somewhat [emoji2957]

Growing old gracefully: the Volvo XC70 - PetrolBlog

PetrolBlog reviews the 2014 Volvo XC70 and finds that, whilst it remains a class act in so many ways, it's no longer the default choice in the segment.

petrolblog.com

[emoji833]️[emoji834]️?

 

This I did not know. I like the look of the V90, but it’s a bit big for our current lifestyle, though if I had around 70k for a car we’d very possibly have a different lifestyle. I’d definitely do OSD.

 

I've had P2, P3, and now an SPA V60.

The P2 V70 (a 2.4L w/ manual, cloth, third row, and pop-up boosters) was charming and simple. But the P3 felt like a massive upgrade due in large part to gaining something like 70hp. The P3 also had a lot more options and looked more modern and classy. The interior has also held up much better, the quality seems higher.

The '20 V60 feels like a spaceship in comparison of course, and has WAY more torque than the 3.2L at city revs. The rated numbers are deceiving, the turbo really helps a lot down low.

And I was set on OSD too, until I realized I could get a '20 for 19% off MSRP (vs 8% for OSD) and not have to wait. That changed the calculus a lot.

So anyway, to the original question -- I'd either go P2 V70R if you find a super clean one, or skip to P3.

 

Also, the SPA V60 has more passenger space than the P3 V70. The overall footprint of the car is extremely similar, but they've shuffled the interior to give more passenger space and less cargo space. I'm okay with this compromise; will just stick the roof box on top for trips. No need to stretch up to the V90 IMO; it would've been harder to park and not actually much more spacious.

 

Thank you! I guess I will sort of just entertain either option!