[Mcgyver29]

All,

Posted this on the S40/V50 page as well but would like some feedback on the V70. We are looking at a new family wagon. Currently in Canada they have some nice promos going on...

V70 - $2500 off, free premium package and 0%
XC70 - $4500 off, 0% up to 60 months
V50 - 0% up to 60 months
or a lot of 2006's have come off lease at great prices.

We really like the style and drive of the V50 and would prefer AWD, but...
if optioned the same, a 2009 XC70 comes out to the same price as the 2009 V50 ???

I have heard the reliability issues have been worked out on later model V50s, and the mileage isn't great on the XC70. Another discussion in itself is do I really need AWD, and how good is the Haldex set up? So .. what would be your choice?

Thanks

 

[Munin]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Mcgyver29)

Quote, originally posted by Mcgyver29 »

Another discussion in itself is do I really need AWD, and how good is the Haldex set up? So .. what would be your choice?

Depends on what kind of driving you do and under what weather conditions. I thoroughly enjoy AWD on my car and feel that it's a necessity to have at least one car in the household with AWD. Then again, we have a sloping dirt driveway, which accumulates the most interesting snow and ice combinations during the winter. But even out on the roads, I feel it's a benefit, especially since we live in a semi rural area. Subarus, XC70s, and SUVs of all shapes and sizes are popular cars where I live. The V50 is pretty rare, but that's true for most of the U.S.: The station wagon has been condemned in the U.S., unless it's been dressed up as a faux-SUV. I love wagons, however.

My personal choice would be the V50 over the XC70, but I might be able to hold out for the V60 (hoping it'll come with AWD).

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Munin)

IMO, if you really are going to haul some cargo, the V50 isn't big enough. We looked at them when we bought our V70R as it was newer and cheaper, but it just wasn't overly huge in the back.

If you don't need that much cargo hauling capacity, you'll probably get better mileage in the V50 and it does drive much lighter.

Which engines are you comparing, T5 vs. 3.2?

 

[Mcgyver29]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by Needsdecaf »

IMO, if you really are going to haul some cargo, the V50 isn't big enough.

Truth be told, coming from a minivan, no wagon is big enough! Although the V70 does come close. I wish it was offered with AWD instead of buying the XC70. We do a lot of skiing in the winter now with our two boys. That is why we are also looking at a used V70. In Canada they had a Special Edition in 2006 that had AWD. I don't know much about it, but there are a few for sale around $23,000 - $26,000. That's a drop of around $20,000 in three years!!!

Quote, originally posted by Needsdecaf »

Which engines are you comparing, T5 vs. 3.2?

From what I have read and drove, the T5 is a much sportier engine. The 3.2 is very smooth though...

So that's the dilemma: buy used V70 AWD or ... a new V50, carry less junk and take a trip to Sweden

 

[ktm_525]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Mcgyver29)

Used V70R. Problem solved.

 

[Mcgyver29]

Re: XC70 or V50 (ktm_525)

Quote, originally posted by ktm_525 »

Used V70R. Problem solved.

We can still get the V50 here in Canada as a T5 AWD with manual transmission, with the R package as a $4350 option.

Does anyone know what the Special Edition package was on the V70 T5 AWD in 2006. Was this a good year for the V70? There are about 6 of them just off lease in my area

 

[Hatdriver]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Mcgyver29)

we only have one 12 y/o but find we are carting his friends everywhere. the other thing is that kids only get bigger. to my way of thinking the 50 is an oversized hatch, not quiet big enough. The 70 is big but not too big. So perfect. If you do plenty of miles/kms then you should worry about the cost fuel otherwise the petrol version is a very quiet smooth roomy comfortable safe ride. New or second hand doesnt matter though i think the awd/haldex system on the 09 model is different to that on the 08. Later better version type of thing.

Cheers
Hatdriver.

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Mcgyver29)

Quote, originally posted by Mcgyver29 »

We can still get the V50 here in Canada as a T5 AWD with manual transmission, with the R package as a $4350 option. Does anyone know what the Special Edition package was on the V70 T5 AWD in 2006. Was this a good year for the V70? There are about 6 of them just off lease in my area

Not a V50 R Design. A V70R.

 

[Mcgyver29]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Mcgyver29)

Just noticed the new offers on the V70 and V50. Can anyone tell me why the V70 ($26,900) is less than the V50 ($27,550) in the U.S. With similar equipment (auto trans.) the difference is closer to $3,000. Here in Canada with the new promotions the V50 is still cheaper, but without the Safe and Sound protection... too bad.

Is there something about the V70 I should know about.

We would like to pull the trigger on this deal soon. The dealer has 2 V50 and 2 V70 left on the lot.

 

[Lunchman]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Mcgyver29)

The v70 are very good deals now.

 

[rovermark]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Lunchman)

The V70 is a wonderful car, very refined, the "true" Volvo - large, safe, comfortable. It is a fantastic car.

 

[BarentsBlueV50]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Mcgyver29)

I upgraded from a V50 T5 AWD to an XC70 T6. I test drove the V70 and XC70 many times before making my decision. It was a tough call. I liked the V70 immensely, but I wanted the hp and torque of the T6 so I went with the XC.

Between the V50 and the V70, get the V70. More room for hauling kids, people and stuff. It is extremely quiet and has luxurious, smooth ride. The mileage penalty (especially compared to a V50 T5 AWD) is minimal. The V70 is a terrific car. Car and Driver loved it. Road and Track loved it. I guessing you will love it, too.

If I had to do it over again, I would still buy the XC70. I have used the AWD in winter and on jeep trails. It sits at the perfect height--not falling down into or climbing up into it. The seats are all day comfortable. The a/c kept up with the AZ desert on a recent road trip. My wife's cousin was visiting last week from back east. The lease is up on his ML350 and he is sold on the XC70.

 

[Munin]

Re: XC70 or V50 (rovermark)

Quote, originally posted by rovermark »

The V70 is a wonderful car, very refined, the "true" Volvo - large, safe, comfortable. It is a fantastic car.

Assuming you can find one. I don't think there's a single one in my state.

 

[Mcgyver29]

Re: XC70 or V50 (BarentsBlueV50)

BarentsBlueV50,

A very glowing review indeed, I was just wondering why the V70 was priced less than the V50 in the U.S. I'm guessing promotions are based on inventory and feedback from the dealers.

I wish Volvo Canada offered the Safe +Sound package here, just for peace of mind with a new model car. I guess with $6,000 off MSRP for a V70 I could be persuaded. The dealer also has a demo 2009 XC70 at a great price.

So how is the haldex AWD in the snow? What mileage difference did you find between the T5 V50 and the XC70?

Barents Sea Blue is one of my favorite Volvo colors, haven't been able to locate one yet...

 

[BarentsBlueV50]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Mcgyver29)

Quote, originally posted by Mcgyver29 »

BarentsBlueV50, A very glowing review indeed, I was just wondering why the V70 was priced less than the V50 in the U.S. I'm guessing promotions are based on inventory and feedback from the dealers. I wish Volvo Canada offered the Safe +Sound package here, just for peace of mind with a new model car. I guess with $6,000 off MSRP for a V70 I could be persuaded. The dealer also has a demo 2009 XC70 at a great price. So how is the haldex AWD in the snow? What mileage difference did you find between the T5 V50 and the XC70? Barents Sea Blue is one of my favorite Volvo colors, haven't been able to locate one yet...

I think you are correct about the price differential between the 50 and 70; it's all about sales numbers and the new V70 just doesn't seem to be selling well on this side of the pond.

Re snow. I was in the local mountains a couple of times this past winter. The XC made it up a steep, icy road that cause lesser cars to slide down backwards. I had no trouble getting into or out of driveways that had been plowed in. Though I was required to carry chains, I never needed them. Some one here did have an issue of getting stuck, but I can't recall who it was.

My V50 was a T5 AWD with an automatic. In mixed driving, I generally averaged between 19-20 mpg. In the XC70 T6, I generally average between 18-19 mpg. Somebody posted that you get better mileage by using the geartronic feature; they were correct.

There are a couple of additional factors to consider if you get the demo XC. First, IIRC your warranty is reduced because it runs from the day the car was put in service, not from the day you buy it. Second, while I'm sure that people taking test drives were not allowed to abuse the car, who knows what dealer personnel did with it when they were out by themselves.

I saw a barents blue XC at the movies last night. It looked very sharp. I still love the color, I just never get the same color car twice in a row.

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: XC70 or V50 (BarentsBlueV50)

Quote, originally posted by BarentsBlueV50 »

There are a couple of additional factors to consider if you get the demo XC. First, IIRC your warranty is reduced because it runs from the day the car was put in service, not from the day you buy it. Second, while I'm sure that people taking test drives were not allowed to abuse the car, who knows what dealer personnel did with it when they were out by themselves.

I do not believe this is correct. If the car is a demo car, in the VCNA system it has never been put "In Service". So the warranty time frame runs from the time you purchase it, because that is the first RETAIL in service.

Not sure about the mileage, but I thought I heard someone say a while ago they bumped that up too. I could be wrong though.

 

[gascos80]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Munin)

There is always an OSD option...

 

[BarentsBlueV50]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by Needsdecaf »

I do not believe this is correct. If the car is a demo car, in the VCNA system it has never been put "In Service". So the warranty time frame runs from the time you purchase it, because that is the first RETAIL in service. Not sure about the mileage, but I thought I heard someone say a while ago they bumped that up too. I could be wrong though.

According to Max's posts in this thread Volvo starts the warranty clock ticking when the car is put in service as a demo.

Like I said, don't buy the demo without knowing the in service date. That date will tell you how much warranty coverage is left.

 

[Mcgyver29]

Re: XC70 or V50 (gascos80)

Yes, my family and I would love to travel to Scandinavia, but I was told that it is strictly a cash deal. The dealer cannot offer 0% financing on OSD orders. Is that the same in the U.S. and elsewhere? I find it is really hard to find good information about the OSD program in Canada.

 

[gascos80]

Re: XC70 or V50 (Mcgyver29)

VCNA should have financing for OSD available. I would doubt that 0% is available.
Some banks and credit unions used to finance the OSD here before the financial crisis. It might change now.

May I offer other venue, that I have used in the past?

I took no-collateral loan at my credit union prior to the purchase, and then took auto loan, paying the non-collateral off, when car has arrived.

I did pay higher interest for 3 month, but that was still worthwhile overall.

Although lately, I "finance" myself, accumulating money on interest bearing account for 3-4 years prior to the next purchase, and then pay cash.