[dghamilt]

Hi,<P>I'm a newbie and my wife and I have likely decided to get a 2001 V70 2.4 wagon. I'd like to get some of your thoughts on which options are useful and which aren't.<P>We're expecting to have our first child this summer at about the same time I'd get the car. Because I know I'll need the car (my current car's lease is up this summer) and since the dealers stock is usually low at that time of year with them expecting to get the next years vehicles in, I plan on ordering a car from the factory. Both sales reps I've talked to say this won't be a problem.<P>I'm planning on getting the automatic tranny, the touring package and the STC (traction control) for sure. The cold weather package is standard for Canada.<P>So here's my question: what of the following options are worth the money?<P>Security package - is the basic alarm and disabler sufficient?<P>Versatillity Package - Volvo's asking $740 (all amounts Canadian) for a grocery bag holder, security cover and a cargo net. Seems kinda pricey to me, but I do want the cover.<P>Booster seat - I like this one, but do the built in units work well? <P>Upgrade to 16 inch wheels (Adrastea) - current to base car comes with 15 inch rubber but I find the Adrastea wheels fairly blah versus the 15 inch ones that look like Amalthea wheels.<P>Also: does anyone have the Volvo ISOFIX car seat that's in the brochure. I thought I read somewhere else that they were delayed. Part of the reason I want a Volvo is to have the ISOFIX attachments but getting a car seat that works with them may be a challenge.<P>If there's anything I've missed let me know too.<P>thanks in advance!

 

[darell]

Howdy, and welcome to the board!<P>I bought the versatility package, but it was less than $300 USD. I needed the cargo cover, and I really wanted the 12V outlet in the back, so I had to have the package. If you're like me (and really, who doesn't at least want to be? <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/smile.gif">) you'll find the grocery bag holder VERY handy to have. I rarely use it for groceries, of course, but it works great for muddy shoes, etc.<P>I'd be tempted to at least go with the 16" wheels as well.<P>I didn't go for the extra security, but that will depend on where you live, and how much you trust your neighbors I guess. Where the versatility package was worth the money for me, the security package was not.<P>Now the ISOFIX child seat: Don't waste your time looking for it. It was offered for about two weeks, then recalled. There are precious few ISOFIX seats available right now, unfortunately. Volvo does offer the booster seat which is ISOFIX, but not the infant seat. I have a 6-month-old daughter, two cars with ISOFIX seats, and no child seat to use with it. <IMG SRC="http://www.swedespeed.com/ubb/frown.gif"><P>Oh, I opted out of the integrated booster seats. They were expensive, and a real purpose-built (separate) booster seat with head support seemed like a better deal. The built-in boosters are slick, but in the "child position" all you get is a higher seat cushion....no other kid-friendly benefits.<P>Good luck with your decision.<P>- Darell<BR><P>

 

[proffsionl]

I just took delivery of my new 2001 V70 T5 yesterday. Initially, I had thought I wanted the upgraded stereo (4 disc changer) and security package (I really wanted it for the air quality sensor...I didn't want the motion sensors, etc.). I came to the conlusion that for the extra money, I wasn't able to justify the benefit. I did get the child booster seats (I don't even have kids, but they made me a great deal on this car), the versatility package, and the sport leather package. Overall, I'm very happy with the car and realize that I probably won't miss the other stuff. <P>Hope this helps.<P>

 

[pierrestory]

<BR> DGHAMLTN!<P> Your choices of options are well-chosen. The STC is great with the automatic, the touring package is a must-have, but everything else is negligible. I sell at a Toronto-area dealer myself, and I must say that the booster seats do nothing a $40 Fisher-Price seat couldn't do as safely, and the Versatility Package is usually frivolous...Especially when you can get the popular essentials (like the cargo cover) from the parts counter for less. The Security Package, in my opinion, is another frivolity....The standard immobiliser and rolling-code keyless entry work quite well.<BR>Also, take a look at one equipped with these options in person to see the difference. Other than that, nice combo! You'll get that car in no time!<P>

 

[dghamilt]

thanks pierrestory,<P>what is the benefit of the laminated side glass? A friend's sister has a previous generation V70 and it has security strips on the side windows at the rear of the car. Is this part of a package? Hers is a turbo with leather so it's likely fully equiped.<P>BTW...what should I expect to pay for the roof rails, and how much additional wind noise do they create? I prefer wagons with roof rails, the cars always look like their missing something without them.<P>thanks for the other two posts also.<P><BR>dh

 

[Rob 101]

Congrats on the becoming a new Dad and a V70 owner! I'm expecting my first child in July!<P>Thoughts on what we got:<P>-Geartronic(auto): Yes. Wife can't drive a manny...nuff said.<BR>-Cold Weather Pack: Yes. Heated seats well worth the price... it is truly a "luxury" item! Those headlight wipers look cute.<BR>-Security Package: No. Basic alarm was good enough for me. Like Darell said, it depends where you live. Plus, I don't think the thieves have the Volvo wagons on their most desired list yet.<BR>-Versatility Package: Yes. The grocery bag holder is really convenient, security cover is a must(to hide your purchases after a trip to the mall), and the cargo net is a great safety feature to have when you have your newborn in a rearward facing infant seat.<BR>-Booster Seat: No. Felt I was better off buying an aftermarket model. Plus, seats equipped with the built in booster didn't feel as comfortable for adult passengers. As it turned out, 2 months after my purchase, Volvo sent a free removable child booster seat to me for free(like Darell's)<BR>-Upgraded Stereo: No. But now wish I had.<BR>-Rear Seat Table: No. Originally wanted this... but glad I didn't. I hear it is really flimsy and easily breaks.<BR>-Sunroof: Yes. I use it all the time.<BR>-Upgraded Wheels: Yes. My T5 came with the 17" Amaltheas. For the extra $500 USD, it was really worth it. Get the wheels you want at the time of purchase... it will save you $ in the long run.<BR>-Euro Rails: No. Expensive. Will buy the load bars instead when the need arises to haul stuff on the roof. I agree the rails have a nice look... but I took the $ and put it toward the rear spoiler that I wanted more.<P>As a soon to be Dad too, I am very confused by all the infant seat options and the lack of Iso-FIx products on the market. I will post a new thread so we can explore these options in more detail.<P>Hope this helps.<BR>Regards,<BR>Rob<P><P>

 

[pierrestory]

<BR> Hey DH!<P> The laminated side glass has two minor benefits. The first is a very slight decrease in interior noise, although it's really difficult to discern. The second benefit involves the fact that prospective theives only need to carry a bigger hammer to break the glass. The security strips you mentioned anen't familiar. If they are three vertical lines in the rearmost drivers' side window, then that is the diversity antenna for the soundsystem. Other than that, I really don't know. Let me know if you need anything else.<P> Pierre Story<BR> Erin Mills Volvo<BR>

 

[Harden]

We opted for the regular load bars on our '01 XC. They were a gimme to close the deal witht the sales guy. i have already called to tell him that I would like them changed out to the euro cross bars. The squared off bars SCREAM at low speeds. i never had this problem with the load bars on my '99 XC. I think it may be the lack of an airdam in front of the sun roof. <P>Dan

 

[darell]

I have the square bars on my car (well, not always, but sometimes) and have gone 110 mph with them up there (with and without my Yakima Rocket box on them). I barely notice they're there. There is <I>slightly</I> more wind noise, but it is almost imperceptible. I don't have a sunroof, so that may play into it.<P>my .02<P>- Darell

 

[Susan]

About the booster seats - I highly recommend them if you are planning on keeping the car until your child is big enough to use them (40 lbs in CA). My son couldn't use one until he was 5, but once he did, it was great. Not only are they much better-looking than Fisher Price or similar boosters, but they are much more convenient. For instance, if you driving an extra child, you don't have to round up and drag out an extra booster seat - it's already built into your car! (You won't believe how often this happens once they are old enough to be social.) The only drawback is if your child falls asleep while you're driving, there is nothing to keep him or her upright. You wouldn't want your child to sleep with his head leaning on the window, for instance, in case the side curtain air bag was triggered. I use mine around town, but use my Britax booster seat for longer trips. <P>

 

[darell]

The upper body support is my single biggest complaint about the integrated boosters. There is no additional protection for the child as you point out. It's a good point about convenience though.<P>- Darell