The Volvo S-60 Type R.

[Redstone]

Made the mistake of bringing a brochure home from the dealer, and just finshed reading it.

300 horsepower. Seventeen pounds of turbocharger boost. Active all-wheel drive. Six-speed manual transmission. Zero to 60 in less than five and a half seconds.

It'll go to 60 or 100 MPH faster than almost any of the legendary old American muscle cars, and won't spin its wheels while it's doing it.

The best part? It's a Volvo, for Christ's sake. The cops'll never see it coming. Anyone else here old enough to know what the term "Q-ship" means?

I'm getting all worked up. I may have to go back to the dealer and order one, in Flash Green Metallic with Nordkap Blue interior.

Discuss.

Redstone

[GOPisEvil]

1. I had a regular S60 for a rental. Loved it.

Very nice. It even got half-way decent mileage. High 20s, I'd guess.

[Redstone]

8. Oh, yes. Mrs R. has an S60 2.4T with the all-wheel drive,

and even with an automatic and the extra weight of the AWD system, it still gets over 30 on the highway. Mid-twenties around town, too.

And you know what's the cool part? The car actually cleans the air while you're driving it! That's right; the radiator is coated with a chemical that actually removes ozone from the air that flows over it. So, combined with the fact that it's an ULEV car, it actually leaves the air cleaner after itself. How slick is that?

Redstone

[GOPisEvil]

9. I *can* afford one...and I'd love to have one.

But, the ol' Infiniti is still zipping along at 11 years old. So, I'll wait - maybe I'll grab a gently used model in a couple years.

[Redstone]

12. Get one that's coming back off lease. That's where the

screaming bargains are, no matter what kind of car you're talking about.

Off-lease cars are NEVER beat up, because the lessee loses big, fat bucks if the car's been abused, and you can almost always get off-lease cars covered by the company's Certified Pre-Owned program, which is a hell of a warranty deal.

Redstone

[GOPisEvil]

13. I like that CPO program.

Like I said, I probably have a couple of years, but I did like that Volvo.

[Redstone]

14. I got the C70 convertible as a CPO, and have already had

$2500 worth of convertible top and $900 worth of sound system replaced free.

I'll say it's a good deal.

Redstone

[evlbstrd]

2. Can I ride in it?

I won't smoke.

[Redstone]

6. Sure. And I smoke in the car, so no problem.

As long as the window and the sunroof are open.

Redstone

[evlbstrd]

7. Excellent.

I love the northeast in the autumn.

[Redstone]

17. It's purty up here in the fall, that's for sure.

I'll be getting an email out to you as soon as I can; I'm up to my ass in alligators the next couple of days.

Redstone

[evlbstrd]

22. I'm not going anywhere.

Till DC this weekend at least!

[Redstone]

25. Dang, I wish I could make it down there.

But the urgent press of business, family stuff, and periodic physical inability to travel (which is in the "no long trips" phase right now), conspire to prevent it.

Give 'em hell for me, would you?

Redstone

[evlbstrd]

30. Will do.

I'll post pictures when I return.

[flamingyouth]

3. I have an S70 right now.

I've been eyeing the S60 as my next car. :thumbsup:

[Redstone]

10. See my post #8. I'd highly recommend the S60. It's environmentally

responsible, bags of fun to drive (even with an automatic) if you order the sports suspension, and really, REALLY comfortable.

Just ditch the Bi-Xenon headlight option if you can. That's the only thing I dislike about her car. I'm going to give her a set of proper driving lights for Chrismas, I think.

Go get one. Wait until model-year end (in about a month) and get a last-year leftover. You'll save about eight grand off sticker, without even having to negotiate.

Have fun with your new car!

Redstone

[DS1]

4. 17 pounds?

Jesus, thats more than a lot of aftermarket kit - my Mitsu had one of the highest stock boost ratings around at I believe 12 pounds.

I wish I could drop money on a new Volvo - sigh.

[Redstone]

11. Well, Missy (the C70 convertible) has 14 pounds, and she's

a handful. But I think the Type R would be much more manageable, because of the all-wheel drive.

See my other post...they drop big numbers off sticker if you buy a last-year leftover. We got a terrific bargain on Mrs R's S-60 without having to argue because of buying it in October when they needed to make room for the 2005s last year.

And, hey, the S40 is not by any means a bad ride, and one of those will set you back LESS than an Accord or Camry with similar kit.

Redstone

PS: The Type R has BOTH an air-to-air, and an air-to-water intercooler. I guess that's how they get away with that much boost.

[SIU_Blue]

5. It was a volvo...

now it's a Ford playing dress-up

:cry:

[Redstone]

15. Actually, it works the other way around. Almost all the new Fords

(cars, that is) are built on Volvo platforms. for example, the new Ford Five Hundred sedan is built on the Volvo XC90 platform, and even uses the XC90's AWD system. the new midsize Ford sedan (I forget the name) is built on a slightly-stretched S40 platform.

GM has turned SAABs into just another GM car. But Ford has been smarter; they let Volvo develop the technology, then build Ford cars that use it.

The only Ford part that has made its way into a Volvo is the new V-8 engine for the XC-90; that's made by Yamaha, who also made the V-6 in the old SHO Taurus (which was a terrific car).

Redstone

[DS1]

18. Super High Output, was it?

I remember that car rather fondly

[Redstone]

20. It was a terrific car. And was the only Taurus you could get

with a manual transmission. Though only in the first generation. The second series was not near the same car.

Redstone

[TrogL]

44. If that was the same engine they put in Windstars...

they tend to blow head gaskets.

:cry:

[SIU_Blue]

45. Whoa really?

Thanks for correcting me, I had no idea!

[swag]

16. Still 18 MPG City, 25 MPG Highway?

on edit: never mind. I read your post #8. Apparently the mileage ratings (or maybe even actual fuel efficiency) have changed.

on further edit: the autochannel doesn't find the 2005's mileage to be too terribly smashing (on the order of a 1965 Chevy Biscayne):

EPA highway (mpg) 24
EPA city (mpg) 18

http://www.theautochannel.com/newcardb/trim.html?asbodystyle=All%20Sedans&trimid=16195

[Redstone]

21. I think those are the figures for the Type R. Mrs R. has the

regular S60. I'm not sure what the EPA numbers for the standard S60 are, but the trip computer in her car shows about thirty and a half MPG consistently for highway driving. At an average of about 70 with the air conditioner on.

Redstone

[swag]

23. Thanks for clarifying for the non-close reader.

Therein lies the difference:

"Envirometer: The EPA rates the S60 above average for air pollution and tailpipe emissions. Gas mileage ranges from 19 mpg/city to 30 mpg/highway."

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/auto/review/volvo_s60.htm

[Redstone]

27. That's astonishing. How can the EPA say the emissions are

"above average," yet at the same time, the same EPA rates it as an ULEV vehicle?

Just another government paradox, I guess. Your tax dollars at work again.

Redstone

[friesianrider]

19. I've been thinking about getting an S40...

I like the S60, but think the S40 is a bit more "girly." WHat are your thoughts on that one?

[Redstone]

24. Do you mean "girly" in a positive way, as in being a bit trimmer

all around, and also perhaps more well-matched to a younger woman such as yourself?

If that's what you mean, yes, I'd agree that it is, and would recommend it for you. The interior styling on the S40 in particular is VERY modern. Not that the S60 is old-fartish, though the S80 certainly is. The S80 is kind of the Buick of Volvos.

You'd look fine, stylin' in an S40, trust me. It even looks good with a spoiler, which the larger Volvos don't.

Go get one. Post a picture of you and the car.

Redstone

[friesianrider]

37. Yeah in a good way ;)

I thought it looked a bit sportier, and like you said a bit trimmer and more suited for someone like me :)

I really like the S60 though too, so will have to do some research into the difference between the two. I totally agree about the S40 spoiler - I'd definitely get one. Looks like we'll have to hit the Volvo dealership this weekend - I'm excited now!

[NNadir]

26. Bubble Burster: It's a Ford.

You don't want to own a Ford product - been there and done that.

I can only imagine the shock and awe in Sweden when the new American masters arrived. I never thought Volvo would put out a piece of shit like that SUV, but there it is.

Buy a Prius or if you really must focus on zero to sixty, an Accord hybrid.

[CanuckAmok]

28. My last Jag was a "Ford"...and it was great.

I'd try a Volvord.

[Redstone]

33. That's the "S" series Jag, right?

People criticize those for using some part from the ford bin, but if nothing else, at least they don't break all the time like Jaguars used to do.

Ford has treaded quite lightly on Aston Matrin and Volvo, and even if they had a heavier hand with Jaguar, at least they got Jaguar to make cars that are reliable. And jaguar NEEDED that lower-price model to stay in business, even if that meant sharing some parts with Lincoln.

Redstone

[CanuckAmok]

35. XK8

Sherwood Green, just like this one:



I don't like the "S"; it looks like a Taurus with an XK120 grille glued on.

They share the same drivetrain: Jaguar all-new aluminum 4.0L V8, Mercedes 5-speed auto.

[Redstone]

36. Oh, my, my, that's one purty automobile.

One of the very prettiest, in my opinion. Oh, yes.

I'd be on one of those in a hearbeat if they were available with a manual transmission.

Redstone

[CanuckAmok]

38. They come with a optional 6-speed in the UK.

You could always swap one in.

I miss mine... it was a hell of a ride.

I didn't often put it through its paces, but I once drove it from Vancouver to White Rock at 5:00am, at around 230Km/h. Still had lots of top end left, but I chickened out. Smooooth all the way, though.

[MN ChimpH8R]

42. One of the prettiest cars made today

and so reminiscent of the XKE - the automobile as art. :loveya:

[Redstone]

29. See post #15. Bubble re-inflator.

I don't like SUVs either, but from what I understand the XC90 is a pretty good one.

But whether it's a piece of shit or not, the one thing it ain't is a Ford. It works the other way around, as I explained.

Redstone

[NNadir]

31. Well do what you'd like; I'd never take the risk.

There is a certain amount of time that a smaller better run company will be stomped to death by a larger poorly run acquiring company.

I have seen how it works in a number of companies that were customers of mine.

It starts with a kind of arrogance on the part of the conqueror - a feeling that the conqueror must be better simply by virtue have having done the acquiring.

The former owners run off with the money and probably die laughing.

By the way, it's my own business model. To be acquired and run as fast as I can.

[spacelady]

32. Had three 700 series turbo wagons--nice, but hope they have improved their

turbos, ours tended to blow oil.

[Redstone]

34. Yes, it's improved. Your 700s had the engine developed

with Renault, and it was an oil burner for sure.

The new 5-cylinders are an independent design, and very tight. My C70 has monstrous turbocharger boost and almost 50,000 miles, and oil consumption is negligible. I never have to add any between changes.

Redstone

[Blue_Tires]

39. eh...try an audi instead

just imo

[Redstone]

40. Oh, no no no no, I had an Audi. A $34,000 (in 1999) car that fell apart

in two years. No, thank you. No more Audis for me.

Redstone

[July]

41. Redstone, would you give me your opinion, please?

We're Volvo-driving liberals, and I'm trying to decide whether to hang onto my 240 wagon, which I had planned to be buried in, or buy an S60 or S40. Love my Swedish tank, but I have two sons who will be using Ma's car more and more, and the newer models have more safety features, I think. On the other hand, the slower acceleration of the wagon is something I view as a positive with young men behind the wheel. But the wagon isn't made any more, and the car isn't worth much (repairs/upkeep could cost more than it's worth soon, though I'd still save the investment in a new car).

So, which way would you lean? You're clearly well-informed about Volvos. Would you mind giving me your views?

Thanks!

[MissB]

43. I have the V70R

It's only 270 horsepower. :rofl:

I routinely beat people off the line. Without trying. Seriously. I have no interest in leading the pack off the line. It is just effortless.

Oh, and it takes me six seconds to reach 60 mph.

They might just see the sedan before they see the station wagon, though.

On the flip side, the gas mileage isn't so hot in the city. I'm only getting about 23-24 mpg. On the freeway, I hit about 35 or so.

[Bjornsdotter]

46. Do it!

I have a 95 850 Turbo wagon that is fast....nothing I like better than beating out someone who pulls up next to me thinking to blow me away. Very humiliating to be beat by a Volvo station wagon!

Cheers!

PS....Will be crossing the 200,000 mile mark in the next month, my mechanic says I'll get at least another 250,000 miles out of this car.