This is more for the benefit of those still sitting on the fence, but I'll try to make this a bit entertaining for the regulars...
I took delivery two weeks ago today of a sapphire black S60R with Titanium wheels and moonroof. I didn't opt for either the upgraded stereo or Nav, since I can design better, for less. (if only Volvo would have obliged me with an aux audio input it would be far easier
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) My immediate impressions were what convinced me to buy the car, so I won't cover those as yet. In the past two weeks, I've put 1800 miles both in the city and on the highway. My findings are these:
1. The power delivery is radically different than my previous car (VW GTi VR6), but once I became familiar with it, it is exceptional. That being said, I feel that there is a bit of a flat spot in the power delivery from 3750-5000 RPMs. No data to back that up, just my impression. That comment however is mitigated by this qualification, "flat spot" in no way means that it lacks for power, just that it's not as linear as I might have expected. Nearly any freeway on-ramp in the area is suddenly a thrill.
2. The adjustable suspension is what changes this car from my exciting daily driver to the touring car the wife sleeps in. I've noticed a particularly disturbing suspension noise when going over driveway berms and some of the more significant pavement cracks. It sounds almost as if the shock absorber on that side is impacting the bump stop without interference of the spring. It happens rarely, and only when there is some speed involved, so it is avoidable to some degree.
3. The rear seats are even more restrictive than I had first thought. Comfortable, yes, but I wouldn't put anyone I liked back there for more than a relatively short time. Note though, that as a driver, I am tall... (6'2")
4. The radio will not scan between programmed channels with the dash buttons. (this is my wife's complaint..
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5. The seats transcend comfort. It is very easy to forget that you are in a seat at all. Would that my office chair were so comfortable. I've yet to use the pockets in front of the seats for anything, but the novelty is, well, just that...
6. The doors do not automatically lock once forward motion occurs. Very curious I thought... Is this a VADIS update item?
7. The Trip Computer isn't terribly user friendly. The controls for changing from T1 to T2 are awkward and the "reset" button is less intuitive in it's use than I expected.
Summary:
Not only would I buy this car again, I would have two. They are well worth the money, a phrase that is difficult to honestly apply to any vehicle these days. The research I did on the web, and on these very boards paid off beyond measure. Despite (or perhaps because of) the few quirks, I've come to love this car in the short time she's been mine. To anyone considering the purchase, you have my hearty recommendation; to those who've helped me decide, thank you!
(pictures once I wash her, I promise...)
![Image]()
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I took delivery two weeks ago today of a sapphire black S60R with Titanium wheels and moonroof. I didn't opt for either the upgraded stereo or Nav, since I can design better, for less. (if only Volvo would have obliged me with an aux audio input it would be far easier
1. The power delivery is radically different than my previous car (VW GTi VR6), but once I became familiar with it, it is exceptional. That being said, I feel that there is a bit of a flat spot in the power delivery from 3750-5000 RPMs. No data to back that up, just my impression. That comment however is mitigated by this qualification, "flat spot" in no way means that it lacks for power, just that it's not as linear as I might have expected. Nearly any freeway on-ramp in the area is suddenly a thrill.
2. The adjustable suspension is what changes this car from my exciting daily driver to the touring car the wife sleeps in. I've noticed a particularly disturbing suspension noise when going over driveway berms and some of the more significant pavement cracks. It sounds almost as if the shock absorber on that side is impacting the bump stop without interference of the spring. It happens rarely, and only when there is some speed involved, so it is avoidable to some degree.
3. The rear seats are even more restrictive than I had first thought. Comfortable, yes, but I wouldn't put anyone I liked back there for more than a relatively short time. Note though, that as a driver, I am tall... (6'2")
4. The radio will not scan between programmed channels with the dash buttons. (this is my wife's complaint..
5. The seats transcend comfort. It is very easy to forget that you are in a seat at all. Would that my office chair were so comfortable. I've yet to use the pockets in front of the seats for anything, but the novelty is, well, just that...
6. The doors do not automatically lock once forward motion occurs. Very curious I thought... Is this a VADIS update item?
7. The Trip Computer isn't terribly user friendly. The controls for changing from T1 to T2 are awkward and the "reset" button is less intuitive in it's use than I expected.
Summary:
Not only would I buy this car again, I would have two. They are well worth the money, a phrase that is difficult to honestly apply to any vehicle these days. The research I did on the web, and on these very boards paid off beyond measure. Despite (or perhaps because of) the few quirks, I've come to love this car in the short time she's been mine. To anyone considering the purchase, you have my hearty recommendation; to those who've helped me decide, thank you!
(pictures once I wash her, I promise...)
