Hey, it's odd for me to see this message. As it happens i just returned a new S80 2.9 to Hertz that I had for a few days. I ABSOLUTELY noticed a dramatic improvemen in performance. I previously wouldn't have wanted a 2.9 but as I now look at possibly taking a long term contract quite a distance away I'm thinking about maybe picking up another vehicle that would be more economical for high mileage. I still prefer the performance of my T6 but I can actually see me possibly driving a new 2.9 as my daily driver. Of significant note, I really hammered the accelerator in the 2.9 (as I do with any car I own or rent for that matter) and the gas mileage was about 50% better than what I get in my T6.

Other changes I noticed include additional padding in the front seats (I never made it to the back) and I think the steering wheel rim is fatter (but I can't be sure since I have a wood wheel on the T6 which might be thinner than the standard steering wheel). All in all, I have to agree with others who say drive both MY 2002 cars first and then decide. In the past I personally couldn't recommend the 2.9 but I've come around now and think that with the current discounting in the market the 2.9 should be a real bargain (of course a used T6 would be as well with the used car market crashing!)

Good luck.

-rdo