Okay folks, as you know, I love the 240 series, but this is one occasion where I must tout the abilities of the newer Volvos. On Wednesday I found out I needed to drive from Davie County, NC to Nashville, TN. A trip through serious mountains and switchbacks that I was looking forward to taking in our 240 "Bleen" with it's Yoko V4S semi-performance tires. Twisty turns and elevation changes are something I consider to be fun in a modded 240!

That being said, my wife insisted that I take the 06 XC-70 "Exe" because a winter storm might be coming in from down south. So I reluctantly took "Exe" and left "Bleen" sitting at home. The trip to Nashville was smooth, the car did great, I almost never felt the road despite the sway bar mods... ho-hum and kinda boring. The interview today went very well and I am anticipating an offer from them, a truly great fit... enough about that.

So, this afternoon I started driving back from Nashville and stopped at a rest stop to lose the monkey suit/tie and clad myself in weather worthy comfortable clothing like jeans and a sweat shirt. The kind attendant at the Rest Stop informed me that I would never make it through the mountain pass due to the weather past Knoxville, TN and sure enough he was right, I-40 was closed for rock slides and I-81 (the detour) was closed for ice and snow. I made it through Knoxville, TN with the hope of at least reaching Johnson City tonight but the temperature dropped and the rain turned to ice and then snow, "Exe" kept cooking at around 60MPH while other cars were spinning out, she never lost her grip thanks to traction control technology that exceeds my driving ability.

When I heard that I-81 was shut down due to weather I tried to find a hotel, five stops later, I finally found a place to stay for the night. What stuns me is that "Exe" NEVER missed a beat, never slipped, never skidded despite being in 6+ inches of snow. I must thank my wife for insisting that I take "Exe" rather than "Bleen" as "Bleen" would have gotten stuck at best or flipped over at worst.

I have a new respect for newer Volvo technology, sure it feels different than the crash safety of the 240, but it can provide the ability of avoiding an accident in the first place that a 240 is entirely incapable of!

I am NOT trying to disrespect the 240 here, I'm just trying to say that new Volvo technology is nothing to be shunned. As a matter of fact, I will now do my best to learn how to service/take care of the newer Volvos so their feared mysteries and perceived expenses can be avoided!

Thank You Julia!

jorrell

ps. Sorry if that "rant" is considered blasphemous or offensive! I am simply impressed! Merry Christmas!
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92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!