Volvo V-50

No, but looking around my local dealer this morning, they look very nice, though the base versions seem poorly equiped for the price!

I would imagine the base 1.8 and 2.0 diesels are dogs, but the higher powered 6 speed diesel and the Volvo 5 cylinder petrols would fly! The NA

2.4 170 does 0-62 in 8.8seconds= the T5 ought to fly!

The new S40 looks very very nice.

Tim..

I drove one and it is a good car. It is comparable to a Subaru. It should last a lot longer than a Subaru.

The new V50 wagon is significantly improved over the original S40, sharing mechanical components with the Mazda3 and European Ford Focus. The car corners fairly nimbly, but the ride is stiff. The standard

168-hp, 2.4-liter, five-cylinder engine sounds raspy. A stronger, turbocharged 218-hp engine powers the T5. Although externally smaller than the old model, the new one is roomier inside. The driver's seat, driving position, and visibility are all good, but the rear seat is very tight. All-wheel drive is available. The V50 wagon is small but versatile inside.

I have a V50 for about 6 months now, 2.0D version. I drove about 36.000 Km now Comfort and quality of the car is ok, but I have a lot of software related problems and a very smal fuell-tank.

Do you mean software that controls the engine or the dash controls? Did you get them rectified? I've never heard of software related issues with a Volvo. Now, Ford--yes! Can you elaborate, Beacon?

--Fred

FWIW I've just had a software fix to the transmission on the V70. It would occasionally flounder in neutral between 1st and 2nd - apparently a known issue and the update seems to have fixed it.

Software issues have been a problem since ~1999 on the 70 series and even more so on the S80, and is ongoing. Where have you been the last 5 years?!

Tim..

I have been driving an '01 XC70 with no software problems.

Those are nice cars, Stephen. What kind of mileage does that sled get?

--Fred

I get 22 or 23 mpg locally and 25 to 27 on the highway. That is about the same mileage I got with my '90 Subaru Legacy Wagon which was much lighter, much smaller and had a low profile.

Our 850 gets about 3 mpg more. The higher profile and AWD lower the mileage on the XC70.

Wow, that is some good numbers. My Subaru L.L. Bean H-6 gets 20 in town and about 25 on the highway. I had a salesman tell me that a 2004 V-70 ti he has in stock can get upto 28 on the highway realistically. I like the looks of the XC-70, but I figured the mileage was lower--almost in the SUV category.