[sleepless2]

Went to Point Alameda today for the Driving Experience and yep, it's a very cool car. Handled that Moose test flawlessly and although the actual seat time driving was minutes it was worth it. Felt much heaver than my RX300 was (and it is) but handled well. I always considered my Lexus "a little girl car" but you guys will be pleased with the lines on this one and it has style that the ladies will like too. (At least this lady does!) I think the interior is very understated Swedish modern but very functional. If you are looking for sumptious, that's not what you get. I found nothing wrong with the leather steering wheel and from our experience with a wood wheel in hot weather we actually will prefer it. The NAV system was great with steering wheel controls for the driver and a remote for the passenger. Loved the in dash 6 CD changer (single slot but you just keep feeding the CDs into it.), very different than the glovebox mounted changer in our Lexuses. Thought that the headphone adder in the back seat that allows the back seat folks to listen to say the CD player while the front seat passengers listen to radio was pretty nifty. (And no you can't listen to two stations at same time, but does give a family some flexibility with their kids. For $100 bucks why say no.) Saw both interiors and the graphite is just a shade less than black and taupe is very attractive. Personally did not care for the taupe with the silver but as a light interior it still works fine. We have ordered the 2.5T and were worried that passing might be a challenge but both my hubby and I thought the car had enough oomph for us aging boomers on the road. With 7 seats you probably have a couple feet of space behind the third row. May be able to handle those seven folks but plan on putting most of their luggage on top! Getting into the third row was not near as bad as I thought it would be but for a normal size adult a long trip would be a stretch. All in all we can't wait for delivery. Volvo has a winner with this one! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emthup.gif" BORDER="0"> Volvo did a great marketing job with this Driving Experience road show. Very professionally done and they fed us to boot. If you get a chance to do it, go. <A HREF="http://www.volvodrive.com" TARGET="_blank">http://www.volvodrive.com</a> Enjoy!

 

[Kaizai]

Re: Volvo Driving Experience (sleepless2)

We are going in 20 mintues <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0">

 

[jvincent]

Re: Volvo Driving Experience (Kaizai)

So what did you think? I went to the 3PM. Well done presentation. Drove the 2.5T and T6 twice. Missed the moose just once. Since my configuration is already in, I'm happy to report no misgivings.<p>jvncent

 

[Kaizai]

Re: Volvo Driving Experience (jvincent)

It was a lot of fun. Well done display of the new Volvo <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0"><p><br>...now if only they would do that with the V70R in six months...

 

[jvincent]

XC90 Driving Impressions...

Went to the Driving Experience yesterday at 3PM.<p>Anyway, my opinions:<p>1) Nice size and good looks...for the most part. IMHO, tallights aren't attractive and grille too upright (but it keeps it short, which is good).<br>2) Flexibility with 7 seat option is excellent. My wife (5'10") could actually ride in row 3 for a limited time. The second row seats can be moved forward to accomodate. 3rd row folds away very easily. Nice job with AC and sound system controls.<br>3) Room behind row 3 is only adequate, but much better than MDX. Folding one seat forward would be a good compromise.<br>4) Interior too spartan. Nice materials and execution, but something is missing. Not near the X5 standard. Cars were preproduction with some Euro bits and pieces, so this is subject to change. Graphite definitely hides this problem better. Some of the oddments bins are a bit cheesey. Seats very comfortable fore and aft (and aft).<br>5) RollStabilityControl...Pretty violent maneuver and a pretty violent response. I appreciate the other safety features more (low center of gravity, Boron steel, airbags, pretensioners). I think there might be future problems with this system.<br>6) Handling was good, but the 2.5T had less understeer and better balance. Steering on the T6 seemed overboosted. My wife noticed it immediately (the only negative from her all afternoon). She was relieved that the 2.5T was better weighted.<br>7) Power was good in both, given the weight of the vehicles. I drove the T6 first and was impressed with the performance. The 2.5T seemed as quick to about 30mph.<br>8) If you really enjoy music, the standard setup is weak.<br>9) Integrated booster seat is a waste. You have to remove the center aft console to slide the child forward. No lateral support. The whole concept of being able to tend to a child whilst driving seems strange. I don't get it.<br>10) Liftgate/tailgate design is very nice. Low liftover even with tailgate up. Makes a nice seat or step.<br>11) Spacesaver spare will be filthy. Another reason to call Vlvo Roadside Service!<p>Considering the price (which I think is very competitive), I think it's a great vehicle. These were preproduction vehicles, and although well screwed together, they might not be true in every respect.<p>I'm happy!<p>jvincent<p><BR><BR>
[Modified by jvincent, 9:05 PM 10-27-2002]

 

[[email protected]]

Re: XC90 Driving Impressions... (jvincent)

Thanks for the input guys. Interesting that they did the Moose Avoidance there. How fast did they have you doing it? When I did the press event in August, we did it at 25/35/45 mph. At 45 it becomes very obvious that the rollover protection takes control. I think it's a great application.

 

[skyslimit]

Re: XC90 Driving Impressions... ([email protected])

Here are some pics I took over the weekend at the Vovlo Life event. That's right, I went again for the second time. The test drive was a blast -- even better than the first time. <p><br>While there, I learned a few more things about the Nav system. Not sure who made the hardware, but the software is by NavTech. As you'll see in the pictures, you can input the destination by a few buttons on back of the steering wheel (includes up/down/left/right cursors, back and enter) or enter it using the remote control -- this great for the passenger (front or back). Also, the system can be voice activated. Directions can be given in male/female voice.<p><br><A HREF="http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=53525070" TARGET="_blank">http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=53525070</a> <br>

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: XC90 Driving Impressions... (skyslimit)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Here are some pics I took over the weekend at the Vovlo Life event. <br><A HREF="http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=53525070" TARGET="_blank">http://community.webshots.com/scripts/editPhotos.fcgi?action=viewall&albumID=53525070</A> <br><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>Your link does not work... <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emdgust.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>Yannis

 

[skyslimit]

Re: XC90 Driving Impressions... (GrecianVolvo)

Sorry, the real link is <p><A HREF="http://community.webshots.com/album/53525070yjWFjZ" TARGET="_blank">http://community.webshots.com/album/53525070yjWFjZ</a> <p><br>

 

[Kaizai]

Re: XC90 Driving Impressions... ([email protected])

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Thanks for the input guys. Interesting that they did the Moose Avoidance there. How fast did they have you doing it? When I did the press event in August, we did it at 25/35/45 mph. At 45 it becomes very obvious that the rollover protection takes control. I think it's a great application.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>We did it at 65 <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0">

 

[S.R.]

Re: XC90 Driving Impressions... (skyslimit)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>While there, I learned a few more things about the Nav system. Not sure who made the hardware, but the software is by NavTech. As you'll see in the pictures, you can input the destination by a few <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>Welcome to Swedespeed, and thanks for the great pictures! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emthup.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>BTW, the Nav system is made by Mitsubishi (MELCO).<p>-Drew

 

[[email protected]]

Re: XC90 Driving Impressions... (Kaizai)

So how'd it do at 65?

 

[Kaizai]

Re: XC90 Driving Impressions... ([email protected])

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>So how'd it do at 65?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>It did great. That SUV feels really really solid at all times.<p><br>When we were getting out at the end of the moose testa the driver said "enjoy the rest of your day", and we replied with "you too", he laughed and said "Oh, I am!". <p>Has to be a lot of fun to get to drive those things all day, just flooring it and tearing up the tires <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0"><br>