New XC needed

[slance66]

I've decided to get rid of my trusty 2001 S60. The replacement candidates are the 04-05 X70, an 06-07 XC70 (I've heard too many horror stories about the 2008s) or an XC90 with a 2.5, 3.2 or V8. T6 is off the list due to tranny issues.

I heard that there were some AWD improvements in 06. What did the new Haldex system improve? Is is less likely to destroy VCs, and angle gears like my 2000 XC did? Did the 04 and 05's have that problem as well? I assume that the XC90 runs the same system. I'd like to spend less money, but I'll spend the money and move to the 06-07s if they are less prone to those issues.

On the XC 90, I view the V8 as a great engine and tranny, but with lousy MPG. I truly wonder, having had a 2000 XC70, whether the 2.5T can really move a car that heavy. I see them everywhere, but it must be underpowered. We drive to Vermont often, so lots of hilly highway runs. I tested a 3.2 XC70, and that engine seemed enough...just barely. Car really needs about 250Hp and torque.

Online prices seem very high of late. Any thoughts on that?

[Aviator]

JRL is the man to talk to here. I don't think there is a viscous coupling with the Haldex system.....it's a totally different setup.

Dave.

[slance66]

It does seem that through further reading, the 04-05 use almost the same Haldex system as the 06-07 (minus some software), and don't have the VC like the 01-02. I'm not sure about the 2003s.

Ideally I'd like an 04-05 with around 60k miles, so I have a little while before the timing belt expense. Need the booster seats.

[wgriswold]

I think that the 2003's are about the same as the newer ones, although small improvements were made over the years. Mine does not seem underpowered, but you have to factor in that I was happy with my 1980 DL which had 114 hp. I seem to remember that people on this list have the opinion that the 06 and 07 models were the best of the run having the summation of improvements from over the years.

[ifnt420]

MY01~MY02 had VC AWD
MY03~MY05 had Haldex AWD
MY06~MY07 had Haldex AWD with Instant Traction (more here> http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=41704

[shamr0ck]

I have 4 children and when I bought my '04 it was a deal lock when everyone saw the integrated child booster seats. My youngest was 4 at the time and none of the kids will be very tall, so the ability to boost/collapse the seat cushion is a big help.

The two youngest still like to sit with the seat boosted and the highschoolers in the carpool just collapse the seat and go to sleep ~ every one is happy...

[RockitShip]

My 2003 with 2.5T rated 208 HP is in fact faster than the newly outfitted 235 HP 3.2 XC70's, as they simply weigh more. The 2.5T has better weight per HP and have a good amount of torque. The powerband is perfect, wide and low. The 2003 2.5T will go 0 to 60 in about 8.5 seconds as opposed to the new 3.2 versions 9 second 0 to 60 sprint. I also have to wonder about the gearing... whether or not the 5 speeds are better for acceleration versus the new 6 speed design. The 2.5T performs very good at passing at highway speeds... much better than it's 0 to 60 performance (which is still respectable for a car it's size and powerplant). :cool:

[slance66]

My 2003 with 2.5T rated 208 HP is in fact faster than the newly outfitted 235 HP 3.2 XC70's, as they simply weigh more. The 2.5T has better weight per HP and have a good amount of torque. The powerband is perfect, wide and low. The 2003 2.5T will go 0 to 60 in about 8.5 seconds as opposed to the new 3.2 versions 9 second 0 to 60 sprint. I also have to wonder about the gearing... whether or not the 5 speeds are better for acceleration versus the new 6 speed design. The 2.5T performs very good at passing at highway speeds... much better than it's 0 to 60 performance (which is still respectable for a car it's size and powerplant). :cool:

You give me some encouragement. I like the 2.5T in the XC70. I've never driven a 2.5T XC90, but I did drive the v8 and a 3.2. The v8 was fantastic, as expected. The 3.2 was very underwhelming I must say. In fact, I recently drove a 3.2 equipped S80, and didn't much care for the engine even in that lighter car. Maybe it's the lack of torque. Considering the lousy gas mileage every 3.2 equipped car has, they need to re-think that engine. When a BMW 5 series with 30-40 more HP can get better mileage than a 3.2 S80, something is wrong.

[slance66]

I have 4 children and when I bought my '04 it was a deal lock when everyone saw the integrated child booster seats. My youngest was 4 at the time and none of the kids will be very tall, so the ability to boost/collapse the seat cushion is a big help.

The two youngest still like to sit with the seat boosted and the highschoolers in the carpool just collapse the seat and go to sleep ~ every one is happy...

Yes, we liked them in our 2000 XC, and now that my daughter is 6, they would be perfect.

[mbsl98]

The pretty standard view is to get the latest XC70 you can, through 2007. each year has improvements and fixed glitches, and our '07 was perfect for the 40k we drove it. Big change years were '03 (huge update - engine, AWD system, etc.) and '05 (significant minor improvements). "07 added instant traction to Haldex, and a few more goodies as standard equipment. I wouldn't at all write off the 'new XC70 ('09 on), so long as you do the T6 version - it is proving to be a very nice upgrade for us, better ride, better handlling, much more power at any speed, and only slightly worse mileage than our '07 so far. The '07 was not very good at mileage for the first 10k or more, but eventually was running a consistent 26+ on trips and 19 in city/surban day to day use. Our '09 computer is showing 20.3 cumulative right now, and it hasn't been out of town for several weeks. WE took it on a 500 mile weekend over labor day, through northern NH and NW Maine mountains and secondary roads, and it was a far better road car than the '07 on same run to our house up there - much better overall motion control at pretty good speeds for old 2-lanes.

[marcinrudzki]

... and don't forget about DSTC. It was added as standard equipment in 2007 I believe. It was optional before 2007 and not many cars came equipped with it. I have 2007 and it has been great so far. My 2004 S60 had many more problems.

[slance66]

The pretty standard view is to get the latest XC70 you can, through 2007. each year has improvements and fixed glitches, and our '07 was perfect for the 40k we drove it. Big change years were '03 (huge update - engine, AWD system, etc.) and '05 (significant minor improvements). "07 added instant traction to Haldex, and a few more goodies as standard equipment....

I'm looking at what looks like a good deal right now. 2007 XC70, with 33k miles, for $20,990. Has all three main packages, so boosters & backup assist, homelink. Thoughts? Is this a pretty good price? Lowest I've seen.