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Willy
09-07-2002, 02:09 PM
Hello,
I wonder how safe it is on the third row when a car hits the XC90 from the rear.
I only find pictures of front crashes and I want to know if the third row is not in the shock absorption zone.
If not, the absorption zone is very short (about 50cm or 20").
In fact, this applies even more to the V70 where the extra seat is almost at the back of the car.
Sincerely,
Willy

wiz
09-08-2002, 05:47 AM
This was also true of the proximity of the 3rd seat to the back in the older 740 and 240 wagons.

FWIW, when it was a current model, the 240 wagon was statistically the safest car on the road, according to Consumer Reports.

Obviously that doesn't speak specifically to rear-end collisions with occupants in the 3rd seat, but there had to have been some instances in the data pool.

09-09-2002, 09:58 AM
Please go to http://www.volvoxc90.com/xc90/movie.asp and check out the movies for 'Third Row of Seats'.  I think the third row seats in the Volvo will be safer than the competition.  However, only real-world data will acknowledge that.

09-09-2002, 10:23 AM
Hello again,
The reason I came across this item is that I try to find the safest place for my dog.
Perhaps I can put it on the back seat (second row), dressed with a proper harness attached to a safetybelt (maby I would not need a SUV or break than).
Good idea?
Willy

wiz
09-09-2002, 10:52 AM
Well, maybe the dog should be driving - I think Gromit drives, right? - why not your dog? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

It's fair to say that the safest place is probably in the middle, however.

MagicDragon
09-09-2002, 03:04 PM
The biggest problem I have with SUV or mini van is the fact that both luggage and people travel in the same, unpartitioned space. Imagine a Zero Halliburton attache flying to your head at 40mph during a collision. There's not much chance for you to survive.

This is why I chose the Volvo stationwagon. Because the back seat has a very strong metal armor inside to stop the luggage from invading into the passenger area. Volvo also supplies a cargo net made of Nylon 66 that can withstand severe force and prevent luggage from coming to you (metal barrier optional). But these safety options are unavailble in SUV/Minivan.

SUVs or Minivans are dangerous when you have heavy or sharp-edged luggage inside. The third-row seat is helpless against rear-end collision. They don't handle well, and they can't stop quickly. They tend to flip over during an accident. These safety issues steered me away from getting an SUV or a minivan.

But I hope Volvo has done some magic to address these problems on the upcoming XC90. We'll see.

09-10-2002, 12:45 AM
Hello WIZ,
I didn't mention but I have a French dog.
So I think I will do the driving. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Willy

09-10-2002, 12:47 AM
Hello MagicDragon,
I assume you have a XC70.
This would be an alternative for me, do you like it?
Willy

wiz
09-10-2002, 02:18 PM
Gromit is an English dog, so at least a French dog would drive on the correct side of the road... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Like MagicDragon, I too am a new owner of a V70XC, and I like it very much. If you are considering the Cross Country, go into your dealer and drive one.

They are offering a straight $3500 rebate until the end of September to move the 2002's. That's a great deal. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

MagicDragon
09-10-2002, 07:24 PM
Hi Willy,

Yes, I drive a 2002 V70XC and I absolutely love it.

Willy
09-11-2002, 12:10 AM
I will indeed try the XC70.
Even better, in november I get the chance to try a normal V70, a XC70 and an XC90 (my dealer will call me when he has them all).
I think I already know the outcome since my wife finds the XC70 (in ash gold) very attractive, since she is not tall she thinks  that the XC90 will be to high for her to get in and out (short skirts, you know) as the BMW X5 proved to be.
Moreover, she is the boss (you know also).
I will indeed consider to put my dog on the second row, I found out there are some very good safety systems on the US market.
I have one further question about the XC70: if I calculate the height of the wheels, then the higher position of the car is almost entirely the result of these taller wheels. Is this true or is the suspension height-adapted as well?
Willy

MagicDragon
09-11-2002, 03:54 PM
Willy,

I believe the height of the vehicle itself (suspension) has been raised in addition to the bigger tires.

wiz
09-12-2002, 03:03 PM
Willy if you wait until November you will not get the $3500 rebate that Volvo is offering on the current 2002 V70XCs should you decide to buy one. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

Willy
09-13-2002, 09:39 AM
Rebate is fine, as long as I still get exactly what I wanted in the first place.
Rebates are not universal, I am afraid Volvo Belgium never heard of this one  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Is the rebated XC70 the visco coupled model or is it the newer Haldex?
Maybe I should forget about 4 wheel drive. I will explain my problem: I own a Volvo 940GLE from 1992. It is the best car I had until now but cars have evolved in the mean time.
I want to stay with Volvo, unfortunately they only build frontwheel driven cars.
I have a nighmare sometimes: I find myself in the mountains (on the snow), car uphill, the boot fully loaded. Having a frontwheel driven car, the wheels get no grip and in the best case the car stays where it is (I have seen this happen, once I drove such a car up the hill backwards - this is no option if you also have to tow at the same time:-)
The perfect solution: 4 wheel drive, or is it?
Perhaps I should opt for a auto-leveling system. This system will not move any weight to the front wheels but it should move the center of gravity forward thereby giving the front wheels more grip (and impove steering too). The problem is I don't know if this "theory" is true and in what measure it will work as opposed to 4 wheel drive.
If anyone knows, please let me know.
Willy

pico de luuks
09-13-2002, 09:52 AM
Didn't know they had big mountains in Belgium (or lots of snow)  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Just kidding there Willy, if you encounter those conditions a lot, I think a 4wheel drive is the best you can have. Wether it has to be a XC70, XC90 or the V70 AWD, that's up to your personal choise and budget. I don't think there is such a thing as last-model-year-rebates in Europe, unless your local dealer has a demo on the lot. The XC70 gets the Haldex system, the V70XC has not http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif Do drive your considered options in november and choose wisely.......

http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif

wiz
09-13-2002, 10:27 AM
Sorry Willy, I didn't realize you were in Belgium - that would explain the French dog, right? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

As pico points out, the rebate model is the viscous (mechanical) AWD. Reportedly not as good as the Haldex, but the Haldex is NEW, which means it won't work properly on a Volvo for about two years... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

I know what you're saying about the 940. However I traded a 1989 740GL (made in Belgium http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ) for the new V70XC and I'm very happy. The 740 was a nightmare in the snow. I retain a 1987 240DL wagon which is a VERY good snow car.

Willy
09-13-2002, 12:24 PM
What you say is that your XC drives better than the 740, yes?
This is promising since my 940 is really a 740 in another dress.
When I read road tests of the XC70, some report that the car steers somewhat unprecise at higher speeds so the driver needs to correct the car constantly, perhaps as a result of the higher position on the road and/or the big wheels.
Can you comment, you are well placed since you owned a 740.
Of course, it is hard to interpret what the reviewers mean by "higher speed" and how they interpret the behavior of a car (and of course they need to have some critics as well).
If I knew the XC70 drives better in all respects than my 940, it will certainly be on my shopping list.
And yes, the french dog has to do with my living in Belgium. Although I am part of the Dutch speaking part of the country we understand each other quite well most of the time http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Willy

wiz
09-13-2002, 01:53 PM
Right, Willy, most of the time. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I lived in Utrecht for a while so I am familiar with what was quite an issue some years ago. It is taking us all a very long time, as humans, to be able to live with each other.

The highest speed I have driven my new V70XC is ~85 mph. I have not experienced the steering problems that others have reported. What I have noticed is under smooth but very strong acceleration (a firm, progressive push on the accelerator pedal) the steering gets very light in feel. I attribute this to (if you come from a 740) the almost unbelievable acceleration of the car. The front of it has to be lifting off the road, so to speak.

The car is very different to drive than the 740. It is much more responsive in every respect. You have to be especially careful with the accelerator, or else you and your passengers can go flying out of the back window. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I will tell you this. We are now in our 6th week of ownership of this car, and we have put 2000 miles on it. We are not missing the 740. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Willy
09-16-2002, 01:34 AM
Thanks again for your reply WIZ. The light steering can be the result of the fact that the steering wheels also deliver traction. In a rear wheel driven car this will be less (one of the reasons sports cars are still RWD?).
The issue of the behavior of the car is very important to me.
I will open a new topic since some members may not have read my question under the current title.
Willy