XC Likes and Dislikes

[MagicDragon]

2002 XC

Pros

Awsome interior
Big, comfortable seats
Smooth engine
Stable high speed performance
Great rough-road capability
Generous cargo space
Great exterior design
Relatively good fuel efficiency (I get 23-24mpg)

Cons

Less than exciting handling performance
Interior rattle
Deep brake stroke (too soft for my taste)
Big, fat A piller that obstructs view when turning
Dashboard reflection on the windshield
No turbo meter ( I miss it! )

[daniel]

2001XC

PRO

great confort,interior,exterior,geartronic,HU803,phone,e ngine,easy to drive in bad condition(ice,snow...),good traction is a great car, maybe safety(i don't want to now http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif )

CONS

speaker phone,stability in curve,traction when descent a slope with snow and ice!!,no option for second sunroof http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif service Volvo http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Art]

I'll play along. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

2001 XC Ditto to all of the above +

PROS http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Great seat warmers
8.2" Ground clearance
Broad roofline for hauling wide loads
Exclusivity http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Great line of accessories
Ample passing power


CONS http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Bogus compact spare
No separate rear window release
Stark center console
Lack of cupholders for rear passengers (MY2001)

[Njord]

I've lived with my 2002XC for three weeks and 1,200 kms now and don't consider myself an expert. However, when I was looking to upgrade from my 99xc these were things that I noticed...

Pro:
-air vents in the B pillar (I've got kids)
-two stage seat warmers (as yet haven't even pressed the button to see if they even work, but the concept is good as my 99 was good for the first 2 minutes then they would fry your butt)
-intermittent wiper function (it's strange that I even have to mention this but my 99xc didn't have this)
-Seat & mirror memory -great if there is more than one pilot
-Acceleration
-Handling -it's a lot lighter feeling than my 99xc (more fun)

Con:
-taupe dash and reflections
-How about the door lock button. You never know whether it will unlock or lock (without looking at your door). How much would it have cost to put in a second button?
-Handling -it's more demanding than my 99xc (tends to wander at speed if you're not careful)
-no standard change holder (gotta get me one of those add on ones)

[lsokol]

Cons:
Power of Engine
Rattles
Blind Spots
Lag time of Engine
LIGHTS(horriable)

Pro:
Everything else

[clodel]

I really dig the HU-803 sound system. I put in my Tapestry CD last week, and I could have sworn Carol King was singing "It's Too Late" right from my back seat.

For me the pros definitely far exceed the cons, but here are the things I feel they can improve on:

- auto-open and auto-close function for the rear passenger windows, like what's available for the front windows & sun roof.
- putting the clock in the audio display LCD
- allow display options for the audio system, particularly to show the time for each track playing (so far the track time only shows up when you hit one of the scan buttons)
- making the center console(where the cd's can go) more enclosed
- the "Oh ****" handles in the center console can go, but that's probably because I haven't taken the puppy off road yet.
- how about making the rear hatch motorized to open with the remote instead of just unlock?
- a built-in holder for eyewear, like sunglasses
- a built-in holder for coins (especially quarters)
- slightly more tinting for the passenger/cargo/rear windows
- better gas mileage for city driving. (With city driving in San Francisco, I'm averaging 12mpg according to the driver computer)
- how about making the lumbar adjustment motorized instead of the manual dial

[BangkokXC]

Likes:
Looks
Seats
Space
Interior leather
Stereo interface

Dislikes:
Remote locking system (I pretty much have to be within a few meters)
GSM phone (reception is terrible)
Interior rattles

[1Lieutenant]

Cons:

Not enough enclosed storage areas.  Center console has that rear seat cup holder that takes away the small storage area on the top of the center console.  No coin holder or ashtray like container in the dash, etc.

Pros:

All the rest

Steve

Solutions to some XC problems:

Donut spare: Donut spare (no good if you have to drive 200 miles home on a Sunday night when no options are available): despite what several dealers said, you CAN fit a full-size spare (earlier forums addressed this. You do have to remove the floor (four bolts) and angle the tire slightly and press, but a fully inflated Scorpian tire fits perfectly. You may to pry a bit to get the tire out, and you can't use the grocery bag holder, but not being stranded at night, with many miles to go, and no tire stores open, is a good trade-off for those who spend a lot of time on the road.

Reflections off tan dashboard: go to IPD and order the black fabric dash cover.

We have been getting almost 28 mpg highway driving, with some mountains. Also had a sudden avoidance maneuver (when someone on the exit ramp suddenly changed his mind), and the XC didn't even sway as it jumped over.

[Gundo]

Too much electromagneticfield in my car - my teeth have been tuning in radio stations...


Seriously, the handling sucks, too soft and wandery for my taste.

-EDIT-

See this post for a more thorough handling discussion:
XC Handling post (http://xc70.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=1;t=460)

[1Lieutenant]

Why would anyone order an SUV type of vehicle and then complain that the handling is soft and not precise.  Volvo addressed these issues with their T5 wagon.  Low profile tires, sport suspension and high pressure turbo. However, you lose the ground clearance and suspension compliance.(PLEASE...This is not meant as a reprimand, just a commentary.)

Each car is a compromise, you just need to pick the ones you can accept.  

Steve

[MagicDragon]

Speaking of handling, I kindda hope Volvo will some day mimik what Audi has done to its allroad quattro (adjustable suspension) for those who want performance handling in an SUV, as an option.  Personally, I don't really care too much about handling as I don't drive in a way handling performance would matter.  Rather, I want a bigger glove box for now (it wouldn't take my CD case).

[Lydds]

Dislikes: Car does not lock automatically, very little storage space, phone interference (static in speakers), need coin holder, my explorer warns me when I was low on gas and this one just wont start (hehe).

Like: seat memory, love it when I can put the front seat down and fit a 10 foot 2x4. It's like a little SUV with attitute, style and flair. Best of all is the fries holder ( I can eat and drive) dont need a designated driver anymore.

[coastal]

haha! nice photo Lydds! I assume you know the sides can be pressed in to adjust for different size cups right? Just be careful with it.. I've had two break already, and I believe that's the reason they're no longer available on the 2002+.

Coin holder is available as a reasonably priced accessory. Fits in the center arm rest and I got mine for $18 CAD. Only problem is it's quite bulky, and with it installed  my cd wallet won't fit, which is also quite bulky.

The ash tray is available in European markets, and can be ordered and fitted to the North American model. IIRC, at one point this was a no cost option... not sure if this is still the case.

OK, now my +/-'s

(+) Extremely good ergonomic fit. For me and my big frame at least!
(+) Intuitive buttons and controls.
(+) Curved edges everywhere make it an easy wash.
(+) Storage areas under the rear section.
(+) 40/20/40 split rear.
(+) Attractive AND unique styling.
(+) Quality fit and finish evident everywhere.
(+) Safety.
(+) One of the most versatile vehicles on the planet!

(-) Having to replace all tires at once.
(-) Outer skin is too thin.
(-) Slow throttle response.
(-) Center grab handle chips too easily.

[Ab_Fab]

Hi All,

I agree with all the things mentioned but will just add couple of extras for me

+ve - fantastic towing vehicle

-ve - very noisy indicator click (drove a V40 and it had a very nice soft noise rather than the annoying click the XC makes).

[telekuehn]

For me only a few cons are missing:

Why do I need a key and a seperate remote. Most other companies build both in one.

What do I need a seperate remote button for the trunk for? I would prefer a button that closes windows and the sunroof.

Not enough storage in drivers reach. Where do you put your sunglasses? (On your nose, haha, I know).

But, I still love this car.

[lsokol]

Volvo does not provide free maintenence?http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif For a year or two? BMW does http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[cbob]

I got a free 2 y maintenance package. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
There is a list of "things that wear out" that are not covered, and they won't provide synthetic oil for free.
They also are giving me a "break-in oil change and complete vehicle check" for free if I bring it in before 1500 km or 1 month, whichever comes first. Since I have logged 1400 km in the first 18 days, I booked my first service today. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Rats.
My darn job is interfering with my driving time. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

( Guess I'm a typical New Owner ) http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif


Michael