XC70 re-design coming out in 2006 ?

[volvoxcfans]

I am living in Australia and have been planning to buy an XC70 later this year.  

I have considered both XC70 and XC90 but I am more fond of XC70.

Recently I found some information about V70/XC70 will be re-designed in 2006/7.  Any idea on this ?  
http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[Outrageous]

My antennae have received a bit of chatter that leads me to believe that there will be at least some sort of facelift sooner than that.

[volvoxcfans]

Following suggests a big change in 2007 but there's another page suggests a change in 2006.  

http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied/112_2007fvf

If there's a change coming very soon, I might wait http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleeping.gif   or have to go for XC90 http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif.

[ifnt420]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (volvoxcfans @ Jan. 10 2004,22:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Following suggests a big change in 2007 but there&#39;s another page suggests a change in 2006. [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
The Motor Trend forecast doesn&#39;t really make sense,
as there is a redesign for V70/XC70 in 2007, but no S60 redesign in 2006 or 2007?? &nbsp;Its kinda strange consider that the S60 &amp; V70 share so many exterior and interior parts.

And If I remember correctly, back in 2000 the S60 came out 1 year earlier than the V70, therefore we should expect the new redesign V70/XC70 only after the new S60 comes out.

2006 Future Vehicle Forecast (http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied/112_2006fvf/)

2007 Future Vehicle Forecast (http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied/112_2007fvf/)

Cheers &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[NeuDaddi]

Either way, that is still a few years off from the current model. &nbsp;Would anyone hold up their near term purchase of an XC70 because 2-4 years from now the car might get a facelift?

I&#39;ve hesitated on the purchase of a car when the next model year would include major changes, but I never care much beyond that. &nbsp;I can&#39;t really justify holding off for any more than 12-18 months if I am serious in buying a new vehicle, and I&#39;ve never actually delayed for more than 6.

[gibbons]

It looks to me like for this generation of cars, the number of issues discussed on this board decrease as the model years get newer. &nbsp;IE, it looks like there were some bugs to work out early on. &nbsp;So, do you really want to be the first person with a 2007?

[John@CdnRockies]

Well put Gibbons. If reliability is an issue, going with a mid-life vehicle makes sense. The 60 series was not a Consumer Reports recommended vehicle until several year&#39;s production had elapsed. Kinda mirrored the posts on this and other enthusiast web sites.

[AWD*V70XC]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Seriously considering ordering &#39;05 XC70
Currently Driving: &#39;01 Mercedes C320[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'> John@CdnRockies

I think John you need to 1. stop considering and buy &amp; 2. get rid of that C320.

The sooner you do, you will enjoy more MPG, not only have four wheels on the ground but four wheel that all want to drive you to your destination. And the money you save on fuel you can put in the Jeep for party times.

Stop considering and join us as a true member.

The Rockies is no place for a Merc unless you want to pose for the &#39;girlies&#39;, get yourself a XC70 and you can drive up the slopes in Banff and let everyone see you then. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

[volvoxcfans]

Thanks Gibbons and John for the valuable opinion. &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

BTW, Volvo Australia has the following promotion now :

&quot;For a limited time, satellite navigation will be fitted for free with every newly purchased XC70. Click here for details and conditions.&quot;

They had the same promotion a month before end of 2003 with a finish date of 31 Dec 2003. &nbsp;Seems they are trying to get rid of current stocks for a potential facelit coming out later this year.

[gibbons]

vovlvoxcfans: I can&#39;t really say &quot;you&#39;re welcome&quot; for that opinion, cuz I may be warped on my thoughts.

I remember the 60&#39;s and early 70&#39;s when I was a kid, when Detroit sheet metal changed every year. Everyone could tell who was driving which model year. It was a status symbol to have the latest sheet metal.

That philosophy carried over with me into the 80&#39;s, when I liked to have a new Accord when they changed about every 4 years. I could tell who had the latest, greatest.

I consider myself to be automotively astute. However, I gotta admit, until I got a brochure at the Volvo dealership last summer, I couldn&#39;t have identified model years or generations in Volvos. So, I figure, if I couldn&#39;t tell what year it is, nobody else can tell either http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif

I don&#39;t think sheet metal status works with these cars. If they changed the car next year, and our 2004 wasn&#39;t current anymore, I probably wouldn&#39;t really care as far trying to be groovy with the latest, greatest.

[NeuDaddi]

Gibbons,

To add to your point, I actually think that there is something to be said for having a Volvo that is not brand new. &nbsp;This may just be a personal opinion of sorts, but its seems to me like a badge of honor and a sign of status, in a quirky way, to have an older Volvo and still have it in good condition and on the road. &nbsp;I look forward to the day that our XC70 reaches 200,000 miles or its ten year anniversary. &nbsp;I hope its still on the road, keeping us safe and warm.

[XCMark]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I consider myself to be automotively astute. However, I gotta admit, until I got a brochure at the Volvo dealership last summer, I couldn&#39;t have identified model years or generations in Volvos. So, I figure, if I couldn&#39;t tell what year it is, nobody else can tell either[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

The first place I look is the rear badging on XC70s... 2003 and newer say &quot;XC 70&quot;, older cars say &quot;V 70 XC&quot;. With all I&#39;ve learned on this site, I know what I have vs. what older models have, etc.

If the XC70 is getting a facelift in 2006 or 2007, that would make it the same design for 5, 6, 7 years. That is very good considering consumer impatience for new designs. I don&#39;t know the stats on the average exterior design upgrade for cars, but the fact that the XC70 has had a relatively long life witht the current design says a lot.

The VW Jetta IIIs were not out for very long before they changed again to the current Jetta design (much better improvement, tho).

Do sales dictate if a design change is in order? Do they make design changes for the sake of design changes to spur new sales and no other reason?

I agree with Gibbons, I wouldn&#39;t really want the first year of a new design, before the glitches are worked out....

I also agree with NeuDaddi, I want our 2003 to get several 100K miles on it and keep it pristine and keep it as a durable &#39;classic&#39;. I don&#39;t always have to have the latest and greatest of everything. I like to &quot;repair&quot; rather than &quot;replace&quot; when I can.

[Pennhaven]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (XCMark @ Jan. 13 2004,14:28)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If the XC70 is getting a facelift in 2006 or 2007, that would make it the same design for 5, 6, 7 years. That is very good considering consumer impatience for new designs. I don&#39;t know the stats on the average exterior design upgrade for cars, but the fact that the XC70 has had a relatively long life with the current design says a lot.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
The fact that Ford Motor Company is using the same chassis design for their new Five Hundred and Freestyle models also says a lot. Ford has a lot riding on the success of the Five Hundred.
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The Detroit News January 11 - 2004 North American International Auto Show - Consumer Guide:
Ford Freestyle
Ford refers to this new seven-passenger model, a companion to the Five Hundred sedan, as a &quot;crossover&quot;, but it really resembles a domestic version of the Volvo Cross Country wagon. Features include all-wheel drive, fold in floor third-row seating and full length side curtain airbags that protect all three rows. The chassis is derived from the Volvo P2X platform, which underpins the V70 wagon, as well as the S60 and S80 sedans. (emphasis added)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

[Chipshot]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Pennhaven @ Jan. 13 2004,16:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The fact that Ford Motor Company is using the same chassis design for their new Five Hundred and Freestyle models also says a lot. Ford has a lot riding on the success of the Five Hundred.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
On the other hand, Ford is still building its Mustang off its 1970&#39;s Fox platform (soon to change). &nbsp; http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif

Platform sharing between Ford and Volvo could work out to the benefit of both. &nbsp;It will be interesting to watch. &nbsp;Volvo received the first fruits, the new S40/V50.

[nicwood]

Why wait&#33;

Although having a new model is nice from seeing it on the driveway, it sometimes brings new and previously sorted problems, I like to see a new model on the streets for a few months before I consider getting one.

What is the aftersales like in your area?