Try to test drive the Audi 1.8T multitronic or tiptronic 
http://www.audiusa.com/model_home/0,,modelId-200401,00.html
http://www.audiusa.com/model_home/0,,modelId-200401,00.html
BMW or Volvo?
- Thread starter RussSchultz
- Start date
horvendile
Regular
Obviously I'm Swedish, which of course might influence my answer (even though Volvo is owned by Ford).
First off, the V70 of today is not the same car as the V70 of '98. It's not even built on the same platform.
V70 has had some quality problems - nothing major, just a bit too many small errors and weaknesses. However, I gather that that's sorted out by now. I'd guess it's not Toyota or Mazda quality, but probably not worse than BMW.
As for your choice of the V70R: Yikes! So the T5 (or even 2.5T) isn't enough? Honestly, what kind of driving do you do?
I'll admit though that I rather fancy the orange (sort of) leather.
If you are looking for power, remember that the automatic version's torque is limited to 350 Nm as opposed to the 400 Nm of the manual (IIRC).
Anyway, if you're going for something like the V70R then price and fuel consumption obviously isn't all that important. As suggested above, have you considered the XC90? That would give you ample loading space. Then again, you seem to be looking for something more sporty, so anything SUV-like is probably out of the question.
Given the choices you stated I'd personally go for the V70R. It's significantly more roomy, and above all it's a safety thing. At least in Europe whiplash injuries are one of the most common, er, injuries in car accidents. Independent studies (I can probably muster a link if anyone asks) show that those damages are reduced by 40% with a good whiplash protection. Volvo has, according to the same studies, one of the best implementations while BMW to my knowledge has none at all in those models.
When I and my girlfriend consider cars any car without whiplash protection is automatically dismissed, regardless of its other qualities. Whiplash injuries take a long time to heal (I know this both from statistics and from several acquaintances) and it's just not worth it IMO.
On a final note, my favourite yet not ridiculously expensive car (which would be the Rolls Royce Phantom) is the - admittedly unreleased - BMW 5-series sports wagon (or whatever it's called in English; anyway, the non-sedan version). It's just loaded with cool technical stuff, a weakness of mine... which is why I also fancy the new Toyota Prius.
On a final final note, what about the Saab 9-5 Aero or Hirsch?
First off, the V70 of today is not the same car as the V70 of '98. It's not even built on the same platform.
V70 has had some quality problems - nothing major, just a bit too many small errors and weaknesses. However, I gather that that's sorted out by now. I'd guess it's not Toyota or Mazda quality, but probably not worse than BMW.
As for your choice of the V70R: Yikes!
So the T5 (or even 2.5T) isn't enough? Honestly, what kind of driving do you do? I'll admit though that I rather fancy the orange (sort of) leather.
If you are looking for power, remember that the automatic version's torque is limited to 350 Nm as opposed to the 400 Nm of the manual (IIRC).
Anyway, if you're going for something like the V70R then price and fuel consumption obviously isn't all that important. As suggested above, have you considered the XC90? That would give you ample loading space. Then again, you seem to be looking for something more sporty, so anything SUV-like is probably out of the question.
Given the choices you stated I'd personally go for the V70R. It's significantly more roomy, and above all it's a safety thing. At least in Europe whiplash injuries are one of the most common, er, injuries in car accidents. Independent studies (I can probably muster a link if anyone asks) show that those damages are reduced by 40% with a good whiplash protection. Volvo has, according to the same studies, one of the best implementations while BMW to my knowledge has none at all in those models.
When I and my girlfriend consider cars any car without whiplash protection is automatically dismissed, regardless of its other qualities. Whiplash injuries take a long time to heal (I know this both from statistics and from several acquaintances) and it's just not worth it IMO.
On a final note, my favourite yet not ridiculously expensive car (which would be the Rolls Royce Phantom) is the - admittedly unreleased - BMW 5-series sports wagon (or whatever it's called in English; anyway, the non-sedan version). It's just loaded with cool technical stuff, a weakness of mine... which is why I also fancy the new Toyota Prius.
On a final final note, what about the Saab 9-5 Aero or Hirsch?
Bleh on all of those get this instead!!!
http://www.ford.ca/english/showroom/FordCars/2005Mustang/photo.html#
Man cant believe Ford is making such a comeback. Their cars really look nice. And not bad quality from what I hear locally now. I wasnt exactly a fan of them my last ford car was a Granada from way way back ... twas my first car... sweet jesus worse piece of shit Ive ever owned.
Im personally gonna invest in this in a year or so, the HEV one as Ive little faith in gas hydrates or any other fuel to replace oil soon.
http://www.ford.ca/english/showroom/FordSUVs/2005Escape/press.html
http://www.ford.ca/english/showroom/FordCars/2005Mustang/photo.html#
Man cant believe Ford is making such a comeback. Their cars really look nice. And not bad quality from what I hear locally now. I wasnt exactly a fan of them my last ford car was a Granada from way way back ... twas my first car... sweet jesus worse piece of shit Ive ever owned.
Im personally gonna invest in this in a year or so, the HEV one as Ive little faith in gas hydrates or any other fuel to replace oil soon.
http://www.ford.ca/english/showroom/FordSUVs/2005Escape/press.html
try an Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon GTA
Oh, wait, you can't...
http://www.new-alfaromeo.co.uk/alfa-romeo-156-sportwagon/
Oh, wait, you can't...
http://www.new-alfaromeo.co.uk/alfa-romeo-156-sportwagon/
Russ if you don't want a wimpy car for the price try this out http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/sub...l?tid=edmunds.n.marketmindex.popular.num1.1.*
I think it is a darn good deal considering the performance.
Of course there isn't any room there for your dogs either. I am going to buy me one *some day over the rainbow!*
I think it is a darn good deal considering the performance.
Of course there isn't any room there for your dogs either. I am going to buy me one *some day over the rainbow!*
I don't see it beating the volvo suv off road .
I know for a fact that the vw doesn't perform better than my old jeep cherokee off road.
Anyway durring the summer I race in upstate new york with my jeep . So i've seen all of them go up and all of them go down haha . My jeep puts up a good fight against a hummer off road . Mostly because its smaller .
I know for a fact that the vw doesn't perform better than my old jeep cherokee off road.
Anyway durring the summer I race in upstate new york with my jeep . So i've seen all of them go up and all of them go down haha . My jeep puts up a good fight against a hummer off road . Mostly because its smaller .
horvendile
Regular
jvd said:
I have driven neither, but according to the numerous (Swedish) tests I've read the Touareg does more often than not beat the Volvo XC90 off road. The Volvo on the other hand beats the Touareg on road, including snowy and slippery roads. With "beats" I consider how it handles, how comfortable it is and also its general practicality. Safety also plays in. I'd guess though that if you're after acceleration power even the XC90 T6 won't win over the Touareg V10 diesel (which is much more expensive, but anyway).
horvendile
Regular
jvd said:
Well, you're obviously in a much better position than I am to argue such a thing (what with actually having driven the cars and all).
Wouldn't the impreza wagon have enough space? Besides, even the sedan's back seat isn't that small, unless your dogs are huge -- I don't know dogs.
What about an Accord or Camry or a low-end Acura or Lexus? I'm know there is more than a currency difference when it comes to cars in America and Canada, but shouldn't be that big a difference.
What about an Accord or Camry or a low-end Acura or Lexus? I'm know there is more than a currency difference when it comes to cars in America and Canada, but shouldn't be that big a difference.
