Good bye XC70 hello Lexus

[rojah the boggah]

Having been a loyal Volvo fan since 1999, and owned 2 V70's and 2 XC 70's, I feel I know more than most onr the Volvo experience.

I have just finished my last 12 months and 24,000 miles on my oct 2005 XC70 D5 SE (185hp) 6 speed manual.

I have owned a 2002 XC70 pre haldex, for 58,000 miles, then a 2005 V70 D5 for 10,000 miles.

IMHO, they are fine for 12,000 miles, then start to go loose an "flaccid" especially on handling and suspension.

Latest XC70 D5, having just finished 24K miles, is a total disgrace to the marque, and thank god it's a contract hire vehicle and not mine.

OK they are supremely comfortable and economical (40 mpg), but they are noy built to last. My manual D5 6 speed has clutch judder when cold (christ we have just come through the hottest summer since record began), and the whole plot feels like someone has loosened every suspension bolt.

interestingly, I waxed lyrical about my new Volvos on this forum when I received them versus my 2002 heap, but I take back everything.

For serious hard use, fast driving over normal UK roads, they just are substandard.

Am I bothered? No, as they are on short term contract hire, they just get sent back to Volvo UK. But for you "owners" out there, beware....

So I was so concerned as to the long term fragility of my XC70, and after an appaling £300 first service cost (18,00 miles), I vowed to look elsewhere.

2 days ago, I am the proud owner of a Lexus RX400h.

All I can say is what have I been missing?

Crappy Volvo service, a forum full of apologetic enthusiasts, at last I have seen the light, a dealer network who seems totry to understand the customer.

So my advice is as such

NEVER NEVER touch a pre Haldex 2002 model.

All Auto transmissions pre 6 speed are suspect. pre 2003 should be avoided at all costs - just read this forum

Front suspension wears alarmingly and is loose as a lap dancer in Preston
after 20K of spirited driving.

Dealers are s**t, go to independants.

This is a shame, as I have loved the Volvo scene, safety, security, reliabilty. Trouble is that this is no longer a USP, everyone has this a standard.

Bye Bye, was good being involved, but no regrets now

PS the Lexus is superb, XC90's are agricultural in comparison

Roj

[RedXC]

Enjoy the Lexus brand. It's a shame Volvo lost another customer.

[John@CdnRockies]

"... interestingly, I waxed lyrical about my new Volvos on this forum"

And now you appear to be equally lyrical about the Lexus. Hope you don't get disappointed again.

I just bought an '06 Toyota Avalon but must admit that the Volvo is a heck of a lot more practical. First long trip since acquisiton of the Avalon (2,500 km road trip) and we opted for the Volvo on the basis of comfort and functionality.

Unfortunately, you won't find a forum nearly as helpful as this one when it comes time to exchanging thoughts. Good luck in any case.

John

[philosophicaldreamer]

Let me say one paragraph: Go on Lexus boards and you will find out that they have as many problems with their marquee as we do with our. Besides, bear in mind that your Lexus, at least in the States, costs about $10000 more than Volvo. I do agree with you, however, that Volvo dealerships generally leave much to be desired; and if Volvo does not wake up to this fact, they will be left behind.

Good luck with your Lexus.
Ta-ta, j.

[ifnt420]

2 days ago, I am the proud owner of a Lexus RX400h.

Congrat on your new overpriced Toyota.... opps I mean Lexus.

[dr.tb.xc]

IMHO, they are fine for 12,000 miles, then start to go loose an "flaccid" especially on handling and suspension.

Interesting choice of words. Have you tried Viagra? Cialis? My first XC had just short of 100K miles when I gave up on her. The transmission was a piece of crap, but her front end and suspension were still firm ... er, turgid.

Crappy Volvo service, a forum full of apologetic enthusiasts, at last I have seen the light, a dealer network who seems totry to understand the customer.

Whose appologetic? "Defensive" enthusiasts, maybe, but surely not appologetic. As for your infatuation with your new dealer, if you can predict how they're going to treat you from two days experience [Has it already required service?], I salute you. It took me at least six months to figure out that my Volvo dealership was $h!t. Also, if your Lexus dealer knows what "totry" means, you've struck gold.

Bye Bye, was good being involved, but no regrets now

So long. Give our regards to your new pals on the Toyota forum.

-Todd

[Boarder]

Japanese and European brands = apples and oranges IMO.

My buddy just bought his wife a Lexus GS350 and had such a horrible experience with the dealer that he says it is the last Lexus he will ever purchase. Once he actually receive the car, he found the CD player would not work and it took them a week of pulling apart the dash to figure it out.

Every manufacture has it's horror stories and that includes punch press Toyota platforms.

Once your honeymoon is over, I hope you find your new car to be what you expect.

Best of luck.

[mrb]

Good luck and happy driving with your new car. I have heard horror stories about all makes of cars and dealerships---I, hovever, have my 3rd Volvo from Putnam Volvo in Burlilngame, Ca and cannot express anything but the highest in sales and service. Like all fields there are good and bad and usually we only tell of the bad. I, too, hope that you have positive experience with you new car.

[psaboic]

Enjoy the new appliance!

I say that as that is what the Toyota and Lexus brands are to me. Sure they are very reliable, but then again so is my refrigerator, washer and dryer. All will last 10 years (or more) but neither of them invoke any passion or excitement.

To each his own

[AWD*V70XC]

2 days ago, I am the proud owner of a Lexus RX400h.

Roj

RX400H YBRID, First of all it is a Hybrid and secondly it's a rebadged Toyota.

Hybrid's will in time show that they are just a gap filler, I know the second hand market buyers are going to need some convincing to buy this type of car as it will be proven that the batteries are a non starter for the secondhand buyers - price - problems - premature.

As for paying over the top on a Toyota, oh it's another contract car, so let's not even go there -

It's been good having you for so long, hope you enjoy the new ride and pop back when you feel like it, even if it is just for reassurance...