[dx_infinity]

hello everyone!<p>i'm going to get a new car next month and i'm currently deciding between the XC90 2.5T and S60R to replace a very old lexus RX. i'm having trouble deciding between the two. they are two very different cars, but i really do like them both.<p>my first major concern is winter performance. i live in toronto and there's basically snow on the ground for half of the year <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0"> i'm confident that an XC will do fine on snowy/icy roads, but i'm not so sure about the R. i have to commute downtown everyday so traffic and weather are very real and serious problems. i have michelin X-Ices on my suv now so i don't feel a thing when cruising through the snow.<p>on the other hand, i do still get six months of blazing hot sun, and so some extra power wouldn't hurt. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/biggrin.gif" BORDER="0"> i'm not really a hardcore performance kinda guy, but i do need some power sometimes. i tested the XC90 2.5T '06 a few weeks ago and it seems to be a bit lacking in power. i've heard that a new 3.2 XC90 will be out for '07 but i don't really wanna wait so long. i haven't forgotten about the V8, just that it's more expensive with the added options compared to an R which is quite fully loaded.<p>my next concern is reliability. this purchase will have to last me for a good 10 years or so. my current car used to be to my father's, and at 8 years/150000km, i really only visit the service guys for regular oil changes and such. i'm not sure if an S60R will be so problem free for the duration of my ownership - especially because it's a performance vehicle. my mother had frequent problems with her old S80 T6 (roof leaks in car wash, car stuck on incline, ignition not starting, etc). i've looked through this forum, and there seems to be lots of minor problems with this car which is making me think twice about an R, despite how everyone says it's a perfectly fine everday commuting car.<p>we're currently on our fifth volvo, an '04 S80 2.5T AWD, so i know how amazing and safe volvo's are. i'm just having some trouble deciding which one will be our next. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/wink.gif" BORDER="0"> any suggestions/experiences would be much appreciated. thanks.

 

[flybynight]

I would say your demand for room will be a major factor. The R will do fine in the snow (remember, it is AWD) with different tires than what come OEM.<br>Maybe you should look at the V70R. Gets you more room.

 

[avolvofan]

Re: (flybynight)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>flybynight</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would say your demand for room will be a major factor. The R will do fine in the snow (remember, it is AWD) with different tires than what come OEM.<br>Maybe you should look at the V70R. Gets you more room.</TD></TR></TABLE><br>Or, maybe a look at an XC90 V8 is in order????

 

[kenschel]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (dx_infinity)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>dx_infinity</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"><p>my first major concern is winter performance. i live in toronto and there's basically snow on the ground for half of the year <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/tongue.gif" BORDER="0"> i'm confident that an XC will do fine on snowy/icy roads, but i'm not so sure about the R. i have to commute downtown everyday so traffic and weather are very real and serious problems. i have michelin X-Ices on my suv now so i don't feel a thing when cruising through the snow.<p>on the other hand, i do still get six months of blazing hot sun, and so some extra power wouldn't hurt. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/biggrin.gif" BORDER="0"> i'm not really a hardcore performance kinda guy, but i do need some power sometimes. i tested the XC90 2.5T '06 a few weeks ago and it seems to be a bit lacking in power. i've heard that a new 3.2 XC90 will be out for '07 but i don't really wanna wait so long. i haven't forgotten about the V8, just that it's more expensive with the added options compared to an R which is quite fully loaded.<br></TD></TR></TABLE><p>Given the higher center of gravity of any SUV, I think just about any AWD car including the R will be more stable and secure in snow (assuming both have stability control). Only real benefit of an SUV would be ground clearance--don't know but that might be a real issue where you live since deep snows may be common.<p>Regarding power, based on using loaners,etc I do think the 2.5T XC90 is relatively under-powered for a vehicle of that weight. Others have suggested looking at the V8, which I agree with (if it is in your price range)<p><br><TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>dx_infinity</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hello everyone!<p>my next concern is reliability. this purchase will have to last me for a good 10 years or so. my current car used to be to my father's, and at 8 years/150000km, i really only visit the service guys for regular oil changes and such. i'm not sure if an S60R will be so problem free for the duration of my ownership - especially because it's a performance vehicle. my mother had frequent problems with her old S80 T6 (roof leaks in car wash, car stuck on incline, ignition not starting, etc). i've looked through this forum, and there seems to be lots of minor problems with this car which is making me think twice about an R, despite how everyone says it's a perfectly fine everday commuting car.<p>we're currently on our fifth volvo, an '04 S80 2.5T AWD, so i know how amazing and safe volvo's are. i'm just having some trouble deciding which one will be our next. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/wink.gif" BORDER="0"> any suggestions/experiences would be much appreciated. thanks.</TD></TR></TABLE><p>I wouldn't expect the reliability of a Lexus (unless you live a charmed life, you probably already knew that after 5 volvos). The R is, IMHO, just fussy. Not a lot of us have major problems, but there are lots of nagging things. Also, remember that what you read here are the grousings of people who mostly live with extreme Type-A tendencies--at least with respect to their cars. I'd like to think I'm not that obsessive about my car (I actually use a mechanical car wash and don't condition the leather every month), but I still have my frustrations with the car. <p>all that said, I'd consider an XC 70 too--very peppy, good car, less fussy than the R, a bit more ground clearance (though not as much as the SUV). <p>Good luck.

 

[R_Rated]

Well, both vehocles are WAY different but you are on the R forum right now sow i think that most people in here would be partial to the R.

 

[dx_infinity]

cool, thanks for the reply guys.

 

[DocG]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (dx_infinity)

Given that you want the car for 10+ years, I think (IMHO) that the scales are tipped in favor of the XC90. There's more of them on the road. More techs have delt with them. If anything breaks on the R (supspension, drivetrain, etc.) after warrantee, it will likely be pretty major $$$$. The XC90 will likely not only be cheaper, but will more likely have a better job done in fixing it. That said, having had the XC90 as a loaner, I'd rather drive the R any day. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/smile.gif" BORDER="0">

 

[TEPPERS AUTO SALES]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (dx_infinity)

Last for 150K? Stick with a NEW RX 400h

 

[Cementups]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (JRL)

This was the same predicament I was in back in October. I rationalized my thinking with the fact that no one really needs the leg room until my daughter is a little older. As a newborn, she doesn't need legroom and I cna stil have a car to play in sometimes. then I will move into a S80 or XC90. Probably a XC90 though, since working at UPS tears my body up and getting iun and out of a car sometimes can be quite the effort. but for the now the rewards of driving the R make the effort all worth the while.

 

[flybynight]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (JRL)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>JRL</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Last for 150K? Stick with a NEW RX 400h</TD></TR></TABLE><p>In that case go with the RX 330. The Hybrid 400 doesn't get much better mileage but it cost a lot more.

 

[rollie]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (dx_infinity)

10 years eh? Volvo turbos seem quite reliable but as a generalization if you want to keep your car 10 years I would go with a NA Volvo instead of a turbo. Also, unless you never have to drive on unplowed roads, the XC90 is a much better choice due to ground clearance. Combine these together and you end up with a strong endorsement for the XC90 V8. There are nice discounts on new ones and you might be able to find a 1-year old '05 program car for a decent discount as well.<p>As you will see from my signature, I have quite a bit of experience with the choices you cited. If I were to do it all over again and had to buy today I would opt for the XC90 V8. Now next year I might have to seriously add the S80 V8 AWD assuming ground clearance isn't an issue.<p>Good luck.<p>

 

[SilverS60RNYC]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (JRL)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>JRL</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Last for 150K? Stick with a NEW RX 400h</TD></TR></TABLE><p>he'll have a very expensive battery pack replacement in his future-- i dont think they're rated to last that many miles (the 150K mark that is).<p>the RX350 is going to be out soon.... will be far more trouble free than either the XC90 and definately the R<br>

 

[Pedestrian_A]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (flybynight)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>flybynight</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In that case go with the RX 330. The Hybrid 400 doesn't get much better mileage but it cost a lot more.</TD></TR></TABLE>RX350 should arrive the showroom in the few weeks. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/wink.gif" BORDER="0">

 

[R_Rated]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (Pedestrian_A)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>Pedestrian_A</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> RX350 should arrive the showroom in the few weeks. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/wink.gif" BORDER="0"></TD></TR></TABLE><p>already out here

 

[TEPPERS AUTO SALES]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (flybynight)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>flybynight</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"><p>In that case go with the RX 330. The Hybrid 400 doesn't get much better mileage but it cost a lot more.</TD></TR></TABLE><br>Actually it's now the <B>RX350,</B> out this month

 

[dx_infinity]

i've seen the rx350 in real life. although it's has more hp, it looks 'fragile' compared to the xc90. i'm tryin' to stay away from the rx...getting kinda bored after so long.

 

[LTA]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (dx_infinity)

dx_infinity,<p>I drive to downtown TO everyday and have both an XC90 2.5T and soon an R (I have an S60 T5 right now). I have lots to day about both cars from my experience. I'll post my opinions later tonight. Stay tuned...<p>LTA<br>

 

[flybynight]

It seems a lot of folks don't think Volvo's have good longevity. I would have disagree. Sure, you'll have some more issues compared with a Japanese car/SUV, but Volvo's have a reputation for high mileage cars. Volvo powertrains should easily go 150,000 miles.<br>Back in Norway you obviously see a lot of Volvo's. A lot of them are at least 15 years old. <br>

 

[kenschel]

Re: (flybynight)

I'm a newcomer to the volvo world, but my sense is that much of volvo's reputation for longevity comes from the non-turbo engines from more than a decade ago. Let's see if any old-timers chime in on this.

 

[NewVMan]

Re: S60R vs. XC90 (dx_infinity)

I have the S60R and an XC90 V8. I would go with the V8 XC90. <p>Both handle similarly in the snow (ignoring plowing with the S60R in deeper snow, and accounting for a change in tires on the S60R). You should also note the mileage is almost identical for my S60R and our XC90 with the V8, just below 20 MPG average on both with mixed use.<p>The S60R is a great car for a single driver, with passengers infrequently and if a performance sedan is what you are looking for at a reasonable price. The XC90 with the V8 has very good performance, and is better suited to being used as a family car. In addition, although I have had no big problems with my S60R, based on others experiences they seem less reliable than the XC90.