Dirty ash gold pics

[Big]

Initial runs on unmaintained roads have been very positive. Adequate clearance, good traction, nice suspension, reasonable maneuverability. I worry about scratching the paint but I'll get over it. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif Notice how the color looks different as the light changes.
http://idisk.mac.com/main_street/Public/XC90-bounce.jpg

Moderately steep, high-altitude tracks are handled with ease.
http://idisk.mac.com/main_street/Public/XC90-Pine-Mt-1.jpg
http://idisk.mac.com/main_street/Public/XC90-Pine-Mt-2.jpg

Although sharp rocks are to be feared with the stock Michelin tires, sand is no problem.
http://idisk.mac.com/main_street/Public/XC90-Biak-2.jpg

A pleasing end to another day.
http://idisk.mac.com/main_street/Public/XC90-sunset.jpg

[ifnt420]

Great pics, glad to see other XCs on the trails.  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I'm just curious, why did you take off your license plates??

Cheers

[Big]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ifnt420 @ July 02 2003,21:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I&#39;m just curious, why did you take off your license plates??[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Plates haven&#39;t arrived yet. Didn&#39;t like the garish dealer plates.

[pico de luuks]

Great pics, Big&#33; Haven&#39;t seen too many XC90&#39;s in ash gold. Looks great on the car. Where about are these pics taken?
Nice http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif

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

[Big]

I really liked the Ruby Red but thought the Ash Gold would be easier to maintain in our driving conditions. Also, this vehicle has a lot more &quot;presence&quot; than the XC70 and I figured the light color would blend into the surroundings more easily. Besides, I liked it&#33;

The photos were taken in 4 different areas in Deschutes County, Oregon. High desert and mountains in the central part of the state.

[ifnt420]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Big @ July 02 2003,22:12)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ifnt420 @ July 02 2003,21:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I&#39;m just curious, why did you take off your license plates??[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Plates haven&#39;t arrived yet. Didn&#39;t like the garish dealer plates.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I see, I&#39;m glad it wasn&#39;t because you were trespassing some one elses property and afraid of getting caught... http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Cheers

[Big]

Trespassing can be a problem here because of the large amount of rural land, fast growth, and &quot;cowboy&quot; mentality (no disrespect to real cowboys). I have seen worse signs than that, most of them riddled with bullet holes.

Central Oregon is dominated by public lands. There are less than 40 people per square mile in the most populated county. Eastern counties that are larger than some states have about one person per square mile. Hence the need for a capable vehicle like the XC. What is Taiwan like?

[ifnt420]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Big @ July 03 2003,09:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What is Taiwan like?[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
mostly like this photo... high rise, traffic, mopeds and more traffic.
Taiwan has 20 million ppl, same as Australia. But as for Taiwan&#39;s size, the island will fit into Lake Michigan with only the highest peak above the water, or about 1/400 the size of Australia. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Cheers.

[kayaking]

Ahhh Sweden...they allow you to go anywhere... as long as you respect the owners property: due to their &quot;Right of Public Access&quot; law...nice sense of freedom...hope we&#39;re not losing too much of it here in the states and elsewhere, due to excessive privitization.
IFNT420...now I see why you like to get out on the trails&#33;
BIG...nice pictures...looks like it was a good ride.&#33;&#33;

[Big]

Thanks&#33; Added some &quot;clean&quot; car shots to the guest photo section that show the Ash Gold in different lighting conditions. Of course, a web photo does not show color accurately but it gives some idea of the variation in the metallic paint.

Good-looking car. I may have to remove those running boards some day, though. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh2.gif

[philparis92]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Big @ July 06 2003,15:44)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Thanks&#33; Added some &quot;clean&quot; car shots to the guest photo section that show the Ash Gold in different lighting conditions. Of course, a web photo does not show color accurately but it gives some idea of the variation in the metallic paint.

Good-looking car. I may have to remove those running boards some day, though. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh2.gif[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Why do you wish to remove the running boards? I was considered getting them for the nice look....

[Big]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (philparis92 @ July 07 2003,07:37)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Why do you wish to remove the running boards? I was considered getting them for the nice look....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I&#39;ll probably get use to them. To my eye they throw the lines off, less so with the light color but still noticeable. Also, they remind me of &quot;fancied up&quot; SUVs owned by people who never venture off-pavement.

At least they seem somewhat more balanced than the large stepping platforms on some SUVs. They may provide some protection from rocks and road debris thrown up by the tires, as well as from swinging doors in parking lots. Also, I use them to reach the roof rack and to knock stuff off my shoes when entering. They may be useful for children to access the rear seats, although my neighbors had them installed and then returned them because they were too shallow for people to step on comfortably.

Another down side is that it is easy to get dirt on your pants if not careful. I also wonder what they weigh. The pounds add up with accessories and affect performance.