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Car Forum / Volvo Cars / May 2005XC90 V8 questions
I'm looking at an XC90 V8 to replace my 5 year old Odyssey. It would be my fourth Volvo, although I haven't owned one for a number of years. I can't *quite* find out a few things about the V8 model - hoping someone in here knows the info. 1) The V8 was widely announced as a 2006 model, then appeared (it appears) as a 2005. Which is it? Are there any changes planned for the 2006 model year? 2) What are the options and parts needed for a trailer hitch on the XC90? I can't find any specific information, and there are references in the pricing list to a "hitch base" and separate hitches. I want a basic, low- profile, Class-III square-tube hitch... what options do I need? 3) Does anyone have reliable real-world fuel economy figures for the V8? 4) My impression is that the reliability problems of the XC90 were worked out over the last couple of model years. Does the V8 bring any new/known reliability problems to the game? Ad(thanks)vance... |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| I drove one, and it really performs better than the 6's. However, I understand that the v8 is a brand new engine, so I assume it will have some initial problems as do all new items. I won't buy the 6 because it's under-powered (someday they'll figure out that they need a high-pressure turbo, not a low pressure turbo, for their 6's (same issue as the S80)), and I'm just not sure about the new V8. In addition, the B-pillar pretty effectively blocks any over-the-shoulder left view visibility. I've been a 25-year loyal Volvo owner; however, with Ford in the picture now, I doubt I'll buy another (amd the XC90 is the only one that will meet my current needs).. I'm looking at a Chrysler Pacifica. > I'm looking at an XC90 V8 to replace my 5 year old Odyssey. It would be > my fourth Volvo, although I haven't owned one for a number of years. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > I drove one, and it really performs better than the 6's. However, I > understand that the v8 is a brand new engine, so I assume it will have [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > I'm looking at a Chrysler Pacifica. My needs are for 6/7 seats, reasonable cargo capacity, and neither enormous nor a truck. I also want a reasonable amount of power and snap. That leaves about four vehicles, three of which are minivans. I've driven a van for seven years; I really want something else for a while. I drove a station wagon for years, too, and while I kind of like some of the new-gen station wagons, I wouldn't want to drive one. Abysmal mileage for the capacity, for one thing. I don't believe the XC90's V8 is all that new; Yamaha has been making variants of it for at least a decade. Granted, there are new tweaks and it's in a new home, which might lead to some issues, but it's not fresh off the blueprints. It really pisses me off that so many vehicles, of a vast range of types and sizes, don't go past 4+1 seating. Including most of the XC90's competitors. |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > > I drove one, and it really performs better than the 6's. However, I > > understand that the v8 is a brand new engine, so I assume it will have [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > and sizes, don't go past 4+1 seating. Including most of the XC90's > competitors. Well. you got the Hinda Pilot/Acura MDX, and the Nissan Pathfinder, the chevy trailblazer ext, and the much better then I ever thought it would be Dodge Durango...its not fancy or sexy at all but there is a lot of room in a Ford 500...Another good option in my mind, perhaps the best of this sorry list is a used MB E class wagon... Best luck Jimbo! > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| >> My needs are for 6/7 seats, reasonable cargo capacity, and neither >> enormous nor a truck. I also want a reasonable amount of power and >> snap. That leaves about four vehicles, three of which are minivans. >> I've driven a van for seven years; I really want something else for a >> while. > Well. you got the Hinda Pilot/Acura MDX, and the Nissan Pathfinder, > the chevy trailblazer ext, and the much better then I ever thought it > would be Dodge Durango...its not fancy or sexy at all but there is a > lot of room in a Ford 500...Another good option in my mind, perhaps > the best of this sorry list is a used MB E class wagon... None of those quite fit - Pilot and Pathfinder are a little too trucky, Trailblazer and Durango way too much. I wouldn't be driving a large passenger/cargo vehicle at all if I didn't have to, and I if I have to, I want something that's a car scaled up rather than a truck converted or scaled down. That's why I like my Odyssey - it's a big fat Acura TL underneath, and still drives and rides more like a big sports sedan than a truck. The MDX was a candidate, but the last piece I want is more than average power, and the 311 HP of the '90 is very attractive. Nothing in a sedan or station wagon has enough cargo space for my daily needs - the difference between using my Odyssey for a big Costco run vs. using the E500 is about 20 minutes of loading and unloading time! And unless I've missed something, none of the new "station wagons" seat more than 5, like damned near everything these days. (3 in the front seat is not an option - it usually means crappy seats and crowding of the driver.) So the choices really dwindled to the XC90, the MDX, or another Odyssey or Sienna. And I really don't want to drive a minivan any more, even a very nice one. :) |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| Best alternative I've been able to find is the Chrysler Pacifica It's more than a wagon, but less than a van and drives like a car. Seats 6 or 7, depending on your seat array. Has good rollover and collision ratings, and has been around al,ost 2 yrs. Respectable power for a 5800 lb unit, so-so gas mileage (around 25 hwy I think). Runs anywhere from $25000 to $38000 MSRP depending on version and options, and dealers seem to deal on it. It sits at street level -- you don't have to climb into it, but you do sit up in it. All seats fold down flat for hauling. >>> My needs are for 6/7 seats, reasonable cargo capacity, and neither >>> enormous nor a truck. I also want a reasonable amount of power and [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > Best alternative I've been able to find is the Chrysler Pacifica > It's more than a wagon, but less than a van and drives like a car. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > have to climb into it, but you do sit up in it. All seats fold down > flat for hauling. I think it shares much with the forthcoming Mercedes R-class - a stretched version of the new M-class. I was waiting on the R, but took one look at the sucker and gagged. Ugly sucker. I'm not thrilled with the Pacifica, but I'll take another look. The other problem is that I got out of cars that depreciate like a rock several generations ago and don't really want to go back. Hence my focus on the Volvo, Acura, Merc, etc. |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| I agree about depreciation --- that is a concern with American cars. However, I need to get the right car for my purposes regardless of depreciation, and figure if I pay less for the car, the depreciation bite won't hurt quite as much..... Mt major concern with the Pacifica is American quality, but I understand Merc qual has slipped badly in recent years, and Toyota's sliding as well, while I hear American qual is getting better. Also, many of the foreign cars (but not Volvo) are assembled in the US --- which may account for their qual slippage. I was looking at the Toyota Avalon but understand it is essentially an American car. >> Best alternative I've been able to find is the Chrysler Pacifica >> It's more than a wagon, but less than a van and drives like a car. [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > I agree about depreciation --- that is a concern with American cars. > However, I need to get the right car for my purposes regardless of > depreciation, and figure if I pay less for the car, the depreciation > bite won't hurt quite as much..... Yes, I consider that. However, I've looked at the Pacifica and it just won't do for my needs. (Underpowered for its size and weight, for one thing.) The whopping depreciation it's sure to take is another. > Mt major concern with the Pacifica is American quality, but I > understand Merc qual has slipped badly in recent years, and Toyota's > sliding as well, while I hear American qual is getting better. Also, > many of the foreign cars (but not Volvo) are assembled in the US --- > which may account for their qual slippage. I was looking at the > Toyota Avalon but understand it is essentially an American car. I don't think "American" (in fact or in name) is a bad thing. Most of the quality issues come from cars trying to compete outside their range. I'm sorry, but a $25k Buick does NOT compare with a $50k Acura or Mercedes, no matter how much leather and faux wood you stuff into it. If the makers would build and sell cars to compete realistically, the quality issues wouldn't be of note. The Mercedes M-class is a good example of the inverse: MB tried to keep that car too cheap, and the corners they cut to keep it from being a $50- 60k vehicle show. Mercedes also has the problem of a divided image: to the rest of the world, they're a "General Motors," selling everything from econoboxes to vans to trucks and every niche in between. In the US, they're a flat-out luxury seller, and the juggling they have to do with their lineup here sometimes slips. But nah, I looked at the Pacifica, and again at the MDX, and tried a full-range search again... and I'm back at the XC90 V8. I'm doing some dealer research now to see if I have to battle against markups and option overloading, or if I can get what I want at something reasonable over invoice. Does anyone have a really good picture of an XC90 in Lava Sand? I can't find one, and can't quite tell if I like the color from the XC70 pics I've found. |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| I do like to XC90 V8. Pls Keep us posted on how the pricing works vis-a-vis invoice. I notice that since it's a new version, there's a fair amount of hype on the website, which suggests it may stay priced closer to MSRP than invoice for a while. >> I agree about depreciation --- that is a concern with American cars. >> However, I need to get the right car for my purposes regardless of [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| [ ... ] >But nah, I looked at the Pacifica, and again at the MDX, and tried a >full-range search again... and I'm back at the XC90 V8. I'm doing some >dealer research now to see if I have to battle against markups and option >overloading, or if I can get what I want at something reasonable over >invoice. [ ... ] Have you considered custom ordering one for overseas delivery, then travelling to Sweden to pick it up? Gary  SignatureGary Heston gheston@hiwaay.net Windows is like SUVs; a bad idea, poorly implemented, unsafe, with a lot of inept users, but a fact of life we have to put up with. > Have you considered custom ordering one for overseas delivery, then > travelling to Sweden to pick it up? I'm not THAT into the Volvo culture. :) |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| >> Have you considered custom ordering one for overseas delivery, then >> travelling to Sweden to pick it up? >I'm not THAT into the Volvo culture. :) Well, you don't have to be; if you've ever wanted to visit Europe, that would let you accomplish two objectives with one trip, and the savings on the vehicle would partially offset the cost of the trip. Gary SignatureGary Heston gheston@hiwaay.net Windows is like SUVs; a bad idea, poorly implemented, unsafe, with a lot of inept users, but a fact of life we have to put up with. >> I'm not THAT into the Volvo culture. :) > Well, you don't have to be; if you've ever wanted to visit Europe, that > would let you accomplish two objectives with one trip, and the savings > on the vehicle would partially offset the cost of the trip. Nah, none of the above. I thought of it with our Merc, but I'm just not all that interested in European travel. I did go look at a row of XC90's today. The black metallic and the nearly-black blue metallic are pretty. The Lava Sand bronze is okay, but just not my color. Rest are pretty boring. Looks like no markups, but the salesperson let it slip that the three V8s they have are gathering a bit of dust. Besides being expensive, perhaps it's the reported city mileage of 12-14 mpg. I have her looking for a black or blue metallic, graphite interior, with NOTHING except the Touring package. We'll see what turns up and how much they try to hold MSRP on it. Not entirely sure I want such a gas hog, but my choices are limited and nothing in my range gets much better mileage. Bleah. |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| I don't know where you're located, but if you don't like the results you get from the dealer you have looking, you might do well to contact Alan Byer Volvo in Syracuse, NY. (contyact Stephen Byer, he runs the place). I've never lived in the Syracuse area (so I've never had him service a car), but he's treated me so well on pricing that I've bought or leased my last 3 Volvo's from him and driven there to pick up the cars from various places I've lived on the east coast. >>> I'm not THAT into the Volvo culture. :) > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > I don't know where you're located... Sacramento. > ...but if you don't like the results > you get from the dealer you have looking, you might do well to contact [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I've bought or leased my last 3 Volvo's from him and driven there to > pick up the cars from various places I've lived on the east coast. Little too far to drive this time of year, but if I was making one of my regular trips to NYC any time soon, I'd think about it. We only have two Volvo dealers here, but there are about eight within a hundred miles. If I get serious, I'll go arm-wrassle with as many as I have to. I might be looking at an S80, too, so that gives me some leverage. Then again, word is that the 4.4 V8 is on its way into the car line. That might be worth waiting for. |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| Well, that is a bit of a haul. Rather than making the rounds in your area, send out for quotes to all Volvo dealers in your area. This is how I got to Byer in Syracuse --- he responded with the best price and we went from there, and he's consistently low-quoted every time since. Put together an email (used to be, it was hard copy letter), laying out EXACTLY what you want --- model, style, color, options, everything --- and indicate if this is a cash deal or whether you want their financing. If it's a lease, that involves other criteria they need to provide). What you want from them is the best price they'll commit to selling you that car for. Period --- lease cash, whatever) Your end of the deal is that you won't use their quote to bargain with another dealer, but will come to them for them to honor their quote. If you get there and they don't. you quickly move on --- this is a one-shot deal as far as the dealer is concerned --- no negotiating on your part.. Byer not only came in low, he found the car I wanted in Atlanta and had it trucked to Syracuse for him to prep and deliver (I always stipulate zero miles (under 10) on the odometer --- I want a new car, not a demonstrator). So the dealer doesn't necessarily need to have the car in stock --- he can switch it out with another dealer. If you have a trade, that's a separate deal, in which case you make the rounds of the three lowest quotes to get the best deal for your trade. All of this switches the game to your rules, not the dealers'. It works for me, and it makes an otherwise troublesome exercise fun. >> I don't know where you're located... > [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > All of this switches the game to your rules, not the dealers'. It > works for me, and it makes an otherwise troublesome exercise fun. Yep. I have pretty much all the cards in my hand, anyway, so I can play hardball. So far, my local dealer just amazingly hasn't been able to find an XC90 without at least two options I don't want - usually the Climate package, which is for cold/snow weather that we don't get here, and the fraggin' $800 headlights I don't want even if they're free. She's still looking. |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| >... (S80's) need a high-pressure >turbo, not a low pressure turbo, for their 6's (same issue as the S80)), and S80's do have high-pressure turbos as well as low-pressure ones. They're twin-turbos. I don't consider a turbo S80 underpowered with its 268-hp engine. Not racer, but not underpowered. My understanding was that the T6 is essentially a low-pressure turbo with twin gates. Whatever it is, I didn't feel the "surge" in the S80, and it certainly doesn't do it for me on the even heavier XC90. >>... (S80's) need a high-pressure >>turbo, not a low pressure turbo, for their 6's (same issue as the S80)), [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > I don't consider a turbo S80 underpowered with its 268-hp engine. Not > racer, but not underpowered. >My understanding was that the T6 is essentially a low-pressure turbo with >twin gates. Whatever it is, I didn't feel the "surge" in the S80, and it >certainly doesn't do it for me on the even heavier XC90. I repeat, the S80 has twin turbos, do a little research. > My understanding was that the T6 is essentially a low-pressure turbo with > twin gates. Whatever it is, I didn't feel the "surge" in the S80, and it > certainly doesn't do it for me on the even heavier XC90. The whole point of a twin turbo setup is to eliminate the surge and provide smooth power delivery throughout the range. I prefer the kick in the pants of the old style bigger turbo but they're dogs when coupled to a slushbox. > I drove one, and it really performs better than the 6's. However, I > understand that the v8 is a brand new engine, so I assume it will have some > initial problems as do all new items. I won't buy the 6 because it's > under-powered (someday they'll figure out that they need a high-pressure > turbo, not a low pressure turbo, for their 6's (same issue as the S80)), and Is the S88 T-6 not a high pressure turbo? It's nearly 300HP, is it really so heavy that it's underpowered? hey--be smart buy and old 740 in good shape, drop a mustang 5.0 in it and have Midas put a trailer hitch on it :) > I'm looking at an XC90 V8 to replace my 5 year old Odyssey. It would be > my fourth Volvo, although I haven't owned one for a number of years. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > hey--be smart > buy and old 740 in good shape, drop a mustang 5.0 in it and have Midas > put a trailer hitch on it :) But where would that leave my '68 Mustang? :) |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| >> hey--be smart >> buy and old 740 in good shape, drop a mustang 5.0 in it and have Midas >> put a trailer hitch on it :) >But where would that leave my '68 Mustang? :) Ready for a blown 351C. Gary SignatureGary Heston gheston@hiwaay.net Windows is like SUVs; a bad idea, poorly implemented, unsafe, with a lot of inept users, but a fact of life we have to put up with. >> But where would that leave my '68 Mustang? :) > Ready for a blown 351C. You mean... I'd have to throw away a 430-horse 347? |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > > hey--be smart > > buy and old 740 in good shape, drop a mustang 5.0 in it and have Midas > > put a trailer hitch on it :) > > But where would that leave my '68 Mustang? :) Does it have the standard 170 CI straight six, the high power 200 CI six, or the 289? Perrhaps a 351...but gee there were two of them and then there is a big block version too. Makes a difference, Jimmie! > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| >> But where would that leave my '68 Mustang? :) > Does it have the standard 170 CI straight six, the high power 200 CI > six, or the 289? Started with a 289. Still says 289 on the fenders and air cleaner. Still looks just like a FoMoCo 289. You'd have to dismantle it to discover that it's a heavily built, half- aluminum, girdled 347 with forged guts. You'd have to weigh it to see that it's 125 pounds lighter. And you'd have to try to catch me to discover that it's got 430HP, 435FPT and a 6k redline. :) |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| >>> But where would that leave my '68 Mustang? :) > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > that > it's got 430HP, 435FPT and a 6k redline. :) Still way behind the Duesenberg which ran all the way up to 8,500 rpm. Not bad for a straight 8 engine. It was also much smoother than a V8 and had roller bearings for the crankshaft. A similar engine is the Rolls-Royce B81. Remember straight 8s became V16s. Cheers, Peter. You forgot the trunk mounted jump seats, to match the XC90 in passenger space ;-) > hey--be smart > buy and old 740 in good shape, drop a mustang 5.0 in it and have Midas put [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] >> |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| >> |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| We're waiting on our XC 90 V8. I have already purchased a Hidden Hitch from Hitch Mart, http://www.hitchmart.com/. Item #87810, $138. Install in a half hour, they say. From there, you can download a PDF of the installation instructions. The hitch came with 2 bolts, washers, and lockwashers. There are a total of 6 bolt holes, three per side. The instructions say the 4 are "existing hardware" so I hope our XC 90 really comes with them. On the left, you have to drop the muffler bracket, and on the right I think all it is is a tow loop fixture. I called Hitch Mart after I got the hitch to verify that the same model hitch will work with the V8, which has dual pipes on the left side. They said it should be fine. Same with the Reese and DrawTite models. In fact, I was told all three hitches are made by the same company - as evidenced by the identical instructions for each (even though the pix of each differ). Can also try http://www.hitchesonline.com/volvo_c3_XCV90_03.htm http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/ http://www.reese-hitches.com/ http://www.hidden-hitches.com Mike > I'm looking at an XC90 V8 to replace my 5 year old Odyssey. It would be > my fourth Volvo, although I haven't owned one for a number of years. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > We're waiting on our XC 90 V8. I have already purchased a Hidden > Hitch from Hitch Mart, http://www.hitchmart.com/. Item #87810, $138. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > the muffler bracket, and on the right I think all it is is a tow loop > fixture. I looked under mine, and yes, I think four of the bolts are already there. I plan on adding a hitch someday, when needed. > I called Hitch Mart after I got the hitch to verify that the same > model hitch will work with the V8, which has dual pipes on the left > side. They said it should be fine. Much is made of the reviews of the V8 having a "dual pipe," but I can't see any difference except that the V8 has a chrome tip. |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| > We're waiting on our XC 90 V8. I have already purchased a Hidden > Hitch from Hitch Mart, http://www.hitchmart.com/. Item #87810, $138. Thanks for the number - I looked this up. It looks like it's a truly hidden installation, with just the receiver tube visible below the bumper. Seen any installed, or pics? Is this true? (I was disappointed with the hitches available for my Odyssey, including the Draw-Tite I went with - they are all fully visible, as there is no space to hide the crossbar. I hate the goopy look of an exposed hitch assembly on non-trucks.) What about the connector? Are you going with a Volvo unit or something aftermarket? |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| James, Yes, looking at my hitch, the way they designed it they added a short, roughly 2-3" reinforced extension below the main horizontal bar, in order to have just the receiver tube visible just under the bottom of the bumper. On the install notes, it shows that the bumper "fascia" rests on the top of the reciever tube. The rest of the hitch assembly appears to be behind and upwards, as to hide it all from being viewed. Mike >> We're waiting on our XC 90 V8. I have already purchased a Hidden >> Hitch from Hitch Mart, http://www.hitchmart.com/. Item #87810, $138. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > |=- James Gifford = FIX SPAMTRAP TO REPLY -=| > |=- So... your philosophy fits in a sig, does it? -=| |
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