Why I don't understand Volvos

Their symbol is derived from the circle and arrow mark used for "male," or "iron."

Yet they are among the more feminine vehicles, favored by soccer moms and produced in socialist, feminist Scandinavia. They even created the show car "designed for women by women." The one that didn't have a user-operational hood latch, since women didn't want to open the hood of the car.

 

eh, they are fords anyway....

 

I had the displeasure of driving one as a rental this week. What junk. And to think people actually pay quite a bit of dough for these things. Terrible.



Darrell.

 

they are like Lexus , good mean of transportation but not more

 

Definetly doesn't make sense I like their badge and what it stands for but they're for women more so for sure. I will say though that they are very comfortable and safe which is probably why women/families like them so much.

 

Worked for many years for Volvo Dealer... Damn those cars used to be bullet proof boxy TOUGH cars the S40 Meh whatever the V70 etc very good but ye ol T5 850R wagon GIMME GIMME

Not the same since the fordafocation

 

Dudes, it's a car, an appliance.
A car designed to be practical, utilitarian and very safe - that is the market segment.
You could perhaps add a car for people who are secure and don't need a toy to prove something... the perfect second car for Mondial owners...

Excuse me while I go put a Pelosi for president sticker on my XC-90.

 

AGREED on the 850R!!!! What a ride!

My old man had a '96 850R sedan which he picked up brand new, coincidentally, the same year I turned sixteen! Let's just say that car was quickly subjected to the "newly licensed teenage male test" and it withstood it with ease. I've always thought I'd like to get an 'R' wagon one day, just to have something practical and fast. Wait, I'll save that for the wife

By the way, Ryan..I don't understand Volvo's usage of the badge either but I can tell you that the word "Volvo" translates to "I roll".

Pretty cool nugget for pub chatter if nothing else...

And P.S. It's always HOT soccer moms driving those V70 XC wagons

Cheers,
Aaron
'82 GTSi
'83 400iA

 

i wanna yeller one

 

The male iron symbol is because Volvo used to be a steel company so hence the symbolism.

 

Wait a second here, how did they open the hood then? Was it bolted on in front instead of latched?

 

V70R owner here

Volvo's may not light the world on fire, but hidden in the model line up are the T5's and the R series. Not sports cars, but much more sporty than the rest of the line up.

Base models with no turbos can be as doggy as any other base model from any other manufacturer.

If you think Volvo's are dog I suggest you get out to your local Volvo club track day and see what can be done with these boxy cars. Here is a tip, in stock form they are WAY understressed, hence the reputation for running for ever. But pumped up even a little they come alive. Stock you get 300hp out of a modern R, 350hp aint far away (with a chip and pipes) and I've seen 400hp versions. AWD, 350hp, stiff chassis? With a few tweaks here and there they make exceptional track cars.

you havent lived until you've passed some souped up euroubercar in a station wagon

Check out IPD USA for all the hop up parts avail for Volvo's

 

I love new Volvos but wouldnt be caught dead driving an older one.

 

They are crap. Any car that weighs 3500+LBS and is front wheel drive is worthless. Front wheel drive is ok on a $15k commuter, but totally unacceptable on a supposed $40k european luxery sedan. They are ugly, drive horribly(remember front wheel drive) and overpriced. They have no redeeming qualities. I would rather drive a Ford 500 for 20k less if I wanted a toaster on wheels.



Darell.

 

To each his own. My wife drives a 2003 Volvo V70 2.4T Turbo wagon. We got it brand new for $29K, fully loaded, on european delivery. Price included 2 round trip tickets to sweden, 2 nights in a hotel in sweden, and for an extra $50 each they gave us connecting tickets to go to Geneva.

We love the car. IMO, Nothing else comes close in the price range.

That said, it is a "girl's car". But, last time I checked, my wife qualified...

 

Have you ever actually driven a Volvo? Not all fwd cars drive like crap, and for thier demographic, the buyers wont notice. The cars that I like and matter to me (R models) are AWD. The interiors are pretty nice on the Volvos, nice and simple, the cars are some of the safest cars around, and IMHO, they look great for the most part. To each his own I guess.

 

Gold's Law: If the shoe fits, it's ugly.

BUT

Get smacked big-time in a Volvo... compare notes with dearly departed in another Make.

 

We had a XC-90 rental from Hertz in Toronto in September when we were there for the ALMS race at Mosport. That was a very nice vehicle - comfort, quality, safety - the seat heaters were a welcome to rain dampened jeans. Just so happened that weekend that rain prevailed for most of it. In the Speed GT race the Volvo WON ! the Caddys, Vettes and others were left behind.

Nice car.

Carol

 

I remember reading or watching something about the Women designed car. The hood can only be opened by a Volvo trained Mechanic. I guess these women didn't want their husbands to "fix" something.

 

Do you have any idea how many people stood across the service desk from me telling me of the horrendous car accident they walked away from because their volvo saved their lives?? 2 per month

one guy got the 850 wagon when his folks got a new xcountry on way back to college a drunk driver in a chrysler minivan crossed yellow lines at 70+ mph and hit him head on (he is doing same speed) 5 people in minivan died

He bumped his shoulder and walked out of the wreckage

 

My mom has been a Volvo driver since the 80s. We were on a road trip and she rolled the whole family (four of us) over three times in the median on the highway when I was a kid in our 240DL wagon. We survived that 70mph wreck without a scratch.

She has been driving a 98 S70 which she loves (but I hate) and has been dying to buy the C30, which doesn't come out in the USA for quite a while. I think I did a very good thing by convincing her to buy an Audi A3 instead (2.0T, DSG, fully loaded, she'll be buying in the next week or two). The Volvos are uninspiring to say the least.

The T5 engine sounds and feels like an octogenarian with pneumonia, the gearbox is ponderous at best, the steering has too much assistance and is numb, and so on. I totally understand why some people like Volvos (I actually like the C70 a lot... just give it a different engine and I would love one) but as a car for someone that gets tactile enjoyment out of driving they just don't work.

 

psssst... hate to tell you this but....

the C70 is the only Volvo that isnt availible in AWD.

Volvo makes one model that fits your ~$40k and fwd descritption, the S80 (with the inline 6, not the best engine for that model). The S80 AWD V8 goes for $47k. And at that, the S80 is a plush sedan, not a sports car.

In the rest of the model line up the fwd models are in the $20-30k range. The AWD, T5 and R models go for $30-45 depending on model.

go drive one. REALLY drive it. Push it. Drive a model with the 4C active suspension, set it "sport" and then report back as to how bad they handle.

You are going to be suprised.

Like I said, they arent sports cars. But they stand up VERY well to every well in all departments. Unless you are heavy duty track day driver, they do you just fine.

 

If safety is a concern, I would STILL rather drive a 7 series. If performance/steering feel/driving dynamic is a concern, I would still drive a 7 series.

If I needed AWD, I would get a A8 or S8.

Now when you consider you can get a really nice 7 for 15k now....

 

I've absolutely thrashed the pants off my '97 850 sedan and it's still going strong.

Had it to 200km/h several times, and despite the FWD had it in 4 wheel slides.

The chassis is stiffer and stronger than the E36 BMWs, plus they're much safer. My brother was in one when he was T-boned at 60km/h. The car flipped and landed on top of another car before landing sideways on the ground. My brother and his friend climbed out the 'top' (door) like a submarine with nothing more than minor cuts and bruises.

The car itself is also very light, coming in at 1450kg - lighter than an E46 M3.

Disclaimer: Speed reference above are in mythical kangaroo monkey / hamster units. As such, the numbers above are arbitrary and should not be taken seriously.

 

If you don't get it don't buy one. I, for one, love them and I will be at the dealer looking at another one today. They are not for everyone and that is part of the appeal to me.