|
|
|
Hi. I am new to the forum. I am investigating whether to buy a Volvo V70 T5 station wagon. I would like to upgrade from my 99 Ford Taurus Wagon. While I like the Taurus, I want the safest car I can purchase. My Taurus only has front airbags. I like the idea of side curtain airbags. My concern is that the Taurus has a 24 valve engine and I like the power, especially climbing hills. I was wondering how the Volvo V70 T5 1999-2002's compare in terms of safety, power, etc. I gather from reading the forum messages that I am best off staying away from AWD. Another concern, since Ford purchased Volvo, is it best to try to buy a new 2002 before Ford begins messing with the Volvo's? Or, are Ford parts to be found in the new 2002 models?
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Wayne
on
Thu Apr 25 06:17 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
|
|
Having owned both an 850 and a Taurus wagon, I will tell you that we both preferred driving the 850 for the seats and handling, but the Taurus held more stuff and the one we had was dead on reliable for the five years we owned it. That is more than what a lot of Volvo owners can say, for like 60% of the cost. Maybe we were just lucky. We traded the Taurus for an '02 Odyssey LX because we needed more room. The new vs. used decision is a tough one. Volvos depreciate rapidly because, IMO, so many of them are leased and three year old models flood the market and depress prices. You can get a '99 wagon with 30-40K miles for probably 55-60% the cost of a new one. I guess it may worth getting a new one if you were going to own it for 10 years or so. Good luck in your decision.
|
|
-
|
|
|
the new v70 platform/chassis is stiffer (and quieter) than the previous gen 850/70 series. the ride is more refined and less harsh than the prev gen. as for AWD, bevel gear stories are a pain. the new 2002 (or 2003) v70 will receive the electronic version of AWD present on the 2002 s60 AWD. whether this system is better/more reliable than the old remains to be seen (although it probably will be). ford bought volvo mainly to have the mid-luxury class secured...and also to access volvo's state of the are crash testing site. ford hasn't really interfered with volvo in a bad sense. but has provided a huge boost in resource. u should really go test drive both a 1999/2000 v70 and a new 2002 v70 b4 u buy them. c which one u like.
|
|
-
|
|
|
I went from a Tauras to a V70 T5 and there is no comparison. The V70 is much more sturdy (just shut a door or the hood), more comftorble, and way more fun to drive. It fits slightly less cargo, but this has not been a problem for me.
I love the V70 and would never go back to any other wagon. Best of luck!
Noah
1998 V70 T5
|
|
-
|
|
|
No comparison. The T5 acclerates, climbs, and passes with far more authority (it's that flat torque band!), is quieter, more responsive, far more comfortable, and handles *ifinitely* better. I occasionally drive my father-in-law's 24v Taurus (and am a former owner) so I'm pretty familiar with both cars. Taurus has a ferocious tracking problem in turns, and has acceleration hot spots. Plus, I can't ride in it for more than half an hour before I need a chiropractor.
--
(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Ray N.
on
Wed Apr 24 04:54 CST 2002 [ RELATED]
|
|
Hills won't do much to slow down a T5 (I have a 98 T5). In addition,
with a turbo, the car maintains most of its power even at altitude.
If that hill is at 7000 feet, the Taurus would not even be close.
The 97 (and later) GLT models have a low pressure turbo engine and it
also performs very well.
You should also see better fuel economy with the Volvo 5 cylinder and
there is plenty of room under the hood for working on it if you are a
do-it-yourselfer.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Hi.
Having just gone through this decision, I can tell you a little about the side impact airbag differences:
98 has side airbags but no real head protection.
99 has modified side airbags to give more head protection (over the 98's)
2000 - I think that this is the year that they introduced front air curtain, which supplements the side airbag, but is specifically for head protection. The 2000 air curtain is for front passengers only.
2001 - Air curtain is extended to back seat. (still no side impact for rear passengers though).
At some point (I think in 2001) the front impact airbags became 3 stage airbags. that is, they will not go off at all if front passenger is below something like 30-40 lbs. They will only go off to something like 70% power if passenger is less than something like 110 lbs.
something like that.
not sure what is new for 2002 or 2003.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Inflatable Curtain (IC) was first offered in MY2001 as far as the new V70s are concerned, not MY2000.
The IC has always been the same, extending all the way to the back seat.
The DUAL stage front airbags have nothing to do with the weight of the driver and/or the passenger; they either deploy at 70% or 100% of the full deployment speed based on the status of the seatbelts, the force of the impact and what kind of pressure has been applied to the brakes.
Yannis
--
2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ECU Upgrade, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys
|
|
-
|
|
|
No Ford influence on ANY Volvo models. None at all.
If you go for the T5, rest assured that you will not be disappointed. A T5 will run circles against the Taurus.
Yannis
--
2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ME7 ECU Upgrade, K&N Air Filter, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys
|
|
|
|
|
