Jorrell has responded to this before and still drives both, but I'm looking again. I'm still driving a '92 240, an '89 245 and '93 245. For the past year plus I've been looking for something newer, but every time I drive an XC70 I feel like I'm driving a Buick--very floaty and cornering sloppy. The '08 and '09 much worse than '05 - '07 I've driven. My 240s all have IPD sways, but nothing else special about suspension (sachs/boge) or tires (Michelin all seasons). I don't mean to disparage XC70s, but my 240s are much more fun to drive on windy roads with much better handling feedback. What reasonable suspension mods are available to improve the XC70 handling/feel? How successful is the end result?

Also, are there any differences worth mentioning between the '05 to '07 model years?

Thanks

We have driven to high milage a, 240, 740 (best of that series), 940 and an 850. Now have a v70 and a newer XC. The older ones feel more responsive, but when I look at my ramp connering speeds, the XC is higher and when things happen fast and unexpected, the XC owns the road situatuion compared to the older versions. It does it so well, that I admit it isn't as exciting as hanging on and praying in the old units.

Hi, having 2x850-94 aut since -97 I bought V70D5-05AWD 6geartronic (TF80SC)about one year ago. I'm still surpriced of the good driveability due to the combination:
engine, transmission, sport chassis. I use 55 profile tires instead of 45 for more comfortable ride.
I conseder XC a bit as compromice and thus not best combination for driveability.
br Tapsa

Apples and oranges comparison. With RWD, the steering is much more responsive to feel than the FWD/AWD. You could add a tower brace from volvo, better than the IPD brace.
My V70R rode like a truck with its lowered springs, but there was NO lean while cornering and absolutely no nose dive.
The XC cannot be tossed like the 240, unless the road is wet.
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My name is Klaus and I am a Volvoholic.

The V70R is a different critter altogether. I wouldn't mind having one but the tickets and gas dictate against it. I've considered the straight V70 and may end up there, but it sure would be nice if the XC was nearly as tough in performance as in looks. I don't expect high performance, just competent handling. I like the feel of the handling Outback, for instance (in spite of its drawback when pushing it) but it's just not big enough. Has anyone briven the 2009 Legacy wagon (Canadian)? I understand it's coming in 2010. I wouldn't mind a Passat if it had any reliability.

The XC awd is extremely sure footed. The 2003+ cars have a traction control that is unrivaled. The cars will not slide sideways, super great in snow and rain. But the XC will never win an auto cross, it is too much in control.

You are right about the turning radius, it is terrible. My old 164 used to turn so good, I could almost go backwards :) The 240 was almost as good. But they don't make RWD cars any more.

You could always replace the XC struts with Koni sports and adjust them to hard. Leave the Nivomats alone. Add a tower brace. Spend a few hours replacing the sway bars with IPD bars. But it will still be a 4,000lb wagon.
--
My name is Klaus and I am a Volvoholic.

I have an '07 xc70 (it is the second generation xc70 with a 5 cyl engine, not the new 6 cyl) which I put IPD bars on. I don't feel much of a difference at low speed around town but at higher speeds, on a twisty road, the car seems much more stable. I was told that the XC comes with progressive springs so at low speed when the forces are smaller the ride is stiff and at higher speed when the forces of the turn build the springs get softer? I don't know if this is true or not but for me with the IPD sway bars, the speed at which the pucker factor kicks in is greater, than without.
P.S. the rear IPD bar is much much bigger than the factory rear bar.

Test drive the '08 or '09 XC. We have both an '05 XC and an '08 XC and I like the 5 cylinder better than the six, but the '08 handles like a completely different car. Still kinda heavy (read: not a BMW), but much more responsive and smooth than the '05. The '08 is a very different handling car. Just wish the engine had more low-end pep to it. They look kinda the same, but are just completely different in almost every way regarding handling and performance.

Jim