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For those who care, 1 year ago I sold the 944ti to purchase a 2001 V70T5. Needed a roomier car for the whole familly and mostly, I,ve been wanting a T5 since they came out, but couldnt afford it then.
As an update,
the V70 is a very pleasing car to drive, especially for long distances. Volvo kept the seat design as confortable as with my 940 or my previous 740. The suspension is stiff and the car handles like a charm. I wouldnt dought that the V70T5 could match the performances of any serious sport sedan. The 2.3 HPturbo kick butts but is sometimes a pain to deal with tork steer, hands up for RWD. I sometimes do get a kick out of creaming SHO owners and others on the highway. I especially amuse myself into thinking that not everybody knows Volvos can seriously perform and this unaware gentleman is fuming as he just got creamed by a station wagon. The body could be a little stiffer as you feel it tork in certain conditions but it'll hug into curves like you wouldnt believe.
The car didnt give me any hassle yet, other than changing the 4 stabilizer links on warranty (common problem as I heard). I am a little worried as the warranty will terminate next summer. What will happen and what suprises ($) does this car holds for me? Looking at the engine and surounding areas, I dont feel so much as confortable into working on it. Apparently, this car hold round 13 different computers for various functions.
Wow, cant wait to troubleshoot problems, fix or change parts... Though with OBDII...
Lots of room in the front, tight in the back seat for an average north american. Lots, excuse me, tons of room in the "trunk" and the folding seat system is well design. Once the seats are folded, the surface is nice, flat and amazingly roomy.
So far, I changed a couple of light bulb, installed a remote car starter and tracking system. The bulbs are still very easily accessible through easy access panels and checking for eletrical and fuses is still done without having to bend over backwards under the dash. One thing that always got me to respect Volvo engineering is that most of the interior panels and trims are solid, very well design to kept rattles away. They are easy to take off and very solid well aligned when put back in place. I was please to find the same quality and design in the 2001 models. The legend still live on on this end.
After 1 winter of driving the FWD, I found the 940/740 much more comfortably controlable on snow covered highways, (read "much"). The 240 was somehow even better, probably due to the 50/50 F/R weight ratio. The V70 FWD seems to be very tricky to handle even with the "traction control and ABS" BS system that is supose to make it so much better. I have driven and own lots of RWD Volvos and others and numerous FWD vehicles but the V70 was the first where "white knuckle driving in 3 inches of snow on the highway" was no fun no more but almost scary. Never had that feeling with the Accord and the 940 was the road opener for other drivers to follow. I have brand new Toyo Observe this year that are replacing the europeen brand (Gislav.. something) that I had last year. I can wait to find out how the car handle with these.
BTW, summer tires are expensive, 235/45/17 dont come cheap.
I am not disapointed of the V70 but admit that I miss the toughness, the simplicity and the reliability of the old RWD turbo. Not disapointed but I was maybe expecting something else.
For those who are thinking about the change, you might be feel the same way.
I still get to see the 944ti and get to drive it once in a while, I sold it to my best body with confidence. It is somehow conforting.
Regards to everyone in the RWD section that help me solve my problems for years. Hopefully I was able to help of few of you as well.
JF
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