We have a 2004 XC70, Should we get a 2012?

[gibbons]

We have a 2004 XC70, and need another car. My wife wanted a third row for when the kids are around, so we started thinking SUV. Currently, we are thinking the brand new model Infiniti JX35. There's supposed to be an all new MDX for 2013, but no news on it yet. I am looking for reliability and lower cost of ownership, so anything Audi is out, and XC90's are too close to a total makeover.

The JX35 is winning, but I can't get over its odd looks. And it's "roof rails" are a plastic cap on something underneath, but it only has two pop off caps for cross bars that have to be Infiniti and they are waaaaay to close together for bike rails. It looks like there's no way to add a Yakima.

So we stopped by the Volvo dealer, who has about 10 XC70's lined up. That's rare, usually its 1 or 2. The salesguy said they are in a dealing mood, I could probably get it for invoice. One with the 300hp turbo and Platinum package...

So, if you have one, or know someone who does, a few questions...

- Do the 6 speed geartronics hold up better than the notorious 5 speeds in the last generation?
- Did they figure out how to do bixenon lights?

Considering this makes me nervous, having been though (at 100K miles): Broken ignition switch, 6 wheel bearings, struts+shocks+Aarms, motor mounts, etc...

Thanks for any comparison thoughts, and stuff y'all already know about like, "the gizmo breaks on all of them", or "they are known to be noisey at this speed", etc.

[cattlecar]

The P3 platform models have been great. The techs are worried as the things that they can fix on the P2's are not needing service on P3.
Brakes last a long time, no front suspension bushings giving out, and transmissions are not being a problem.
I have driven 3.2 and T6 models each for a few thousand miles. I got better MPG with T6 on highway in the areas I drive that have hills but are not mountainous.
T6 had the torque at low revs to pull grades without lots of shifting down. The 3.2 would have to drop 1 or more gears on small grades at 65-70 mph.
The car is much quieter and has a much more solid feel than P2 version.
The HID lamps don't give trouble and the steering feature is more usable than I imagined.
My Sister has a 2010 3.2 AWD and she loves it.

[brissim]

gibbons - went through pretty much the same process as you before deciding against the current model XC70. To answer some of your more specfice questions :-
- while not brillant, the 6 speed auto is a significant improvement over the old 5-speed auto in the P2 Volvos. Given its being around for 3-4 years now I'm not aware of any major problems with the transmission.
- yes Volvo have sorted out their xenon lights and I would now say are at least equal with anything else out there. I think it was about 2007/2008 they changed from a reflector to projector type and now give a great range and good sideways illumination. The adaptive headlights are even better for those winding country roads at speed.

One question back to you. You mention you are after a vehicle with a third row seat? Despite its increase in size over the P2 XC70, the current model XC70 does not have a third row option. The XC90 is the only Volvo that currently offers this.

While we loved our MY05 XC70, in the end we decided against the current model XC70 for bacically the following reasons :-
- the current model XC70 has basically gone up half-a-size, with the wagon now being based off the large S80 sedan as opposed to the then mid-sized S60 of the P2 V70/XC70. With the kids off our hands we no longer needed a large AWD wagon.
- with the increase in size has come an increase in weight - 200kg/400lb. This - in my opinion - impacts adversely on everything from performance and handling, through to fuel economy. The P2 XC70 was no sports car, but whta we loved about it was the right balance between comfort and performance/handling. For us, the current model XC70 is weighted too much toward comfort at the expense of everything else (I appreciate it may be different for others).
- not a great lineup of engines. Here in Australia we only have the 3.2 petrol(gas) and the D5 diesel. Neither is particularly good. The T6 is the pick of the engines but unfortunately has very ordinary fuel economy. If only Volvo would convert the T6 to direct injection then they would have a world class engine that could compete with BMW 35i engine not just in power and torque, but also in fuel economy.

Tony

[budrichard]

My wife's 2011 XC70 has been bulletproof so far but I can't fortell the future!
The 6 speed works fine but so does my 5 speed in my 2003.
Don't have bi-xenons so no help for you.
Its a nice vehicle the little I get to drive it. My wife just drives them and I don' find any problems when I drive it unlike the 99 XC70.-Dick

[BillAileo]

Gibbons,
We very recently replaced an '03XC70 (140k) with a 2012 XC70T6. We had planned to keep the '03 longer as we really liked it but a failing steering rack changed our analysis. The 2012 is a much quieter car and the T6 seems fine except for MPG. We occasionally carry kayaks on roof racks and that remains an easy proposition on the 2012. The higher rooflines of most other options would make roof loading too awkward for me.

I have a personal interest in your purchase of a 2012: perhaps you would then follow up with another classic DIY guide for transmission fluid replacement as you did for the P2? Its a different set up and apparently a different transmission fluid "AW-1"....

[budrichard]

"We occasionally carry kayaks on roof racks and that remains an easy proposition on the 2012. The higher rooflines of most other options would make roof loading too awkward for me."

Exactly my reasoning except for the occasionally!-Dick

[OKCXC70]

How big are the kids? Most third rows are for tiny tots and the people I know who were third row enthusiasts have downsized. If you want a usable third row, get a Suburban. If not, get an XC70 and rent a mini van or Suburban when the kids actually show up.

[themoonandthestars]

The newer XC70s are nicer than the prior models, and I had a 2001 XC70 before we got our 2008 model. The premium sound system is even awesomer (plus, has the AUX jack, which is great!...I love mp3s!), the 3.2L engine is very quick and powerful. The vehicle is smooth as silk up to 120 mph (fastest I've gone with it). Only trouble I have is with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) often not working. I think the 2008 and up XC70 style is one of the most beautiful automobiles I have ever seen! I'm partial to Arctic White, though. Other colors don't look quite as nice for some reason.

[v70+xc70]

I just asked a similar question since I'm considering changing my wifes 03xc70 for a 12xc70. But can I find the thread nooo....
I'm in favor of the switch but wifey isn't and since its her car... However the inlaws are coming, so I'm hoping they'll help my wife say ok.
FWIW, I now have a first gen Honda Pilot (136k) and follow the Honda/Acura boards heavily. The next gen MDX will be getting all kinds of hybrid stuff especially to run the rear wheels. I would be very nervous about all that added tech especially since Honda can't figure out how to make Hybrids work better than Toyota.
Thumbs up for the current MDX though. I was thinking about trading up to that but problems with the XC may make running into a 12xc70 rather than an MDX a smarter move.
Yes, I like the 12xc. Its a little bigger, I like the six cylinder engine more than the 5, I'm no fan of Turbos either especially due to her short commute.
Now to look for an XC70, AWD, Caspian Blue, Expresso interior, Premier with Climate and Dog barrier in the Boston Area.

[brissim]

I just asked a similar question since I'm considering changing my wifes 03xc70 for a 12xc70. But can I find the thread nooo....

Well with respect - you obviously didn't look very hard - its only half-a-dozen threads down.....

Tony