[s-cars] Re: Volvo S60R as UrS4 replacement?

[Daniel Hussey]

>Anyone have any recent experience with this AWD car?  I have come across a 
>good deal and my 93 S4 is getting tired.
>Joe

Joe,

I have owned a '94 S4 Quattro and a '95 S6 Avant.  Both of which were fantastic cars, however, my second one, the S6 Avant, hit a certain point at about 125K miles, where it was needing constant attention and the S-cars themselves had some inherant problems or inadequacies that always bothered me...  and no amount of spending was going to help this.  I also was tired of spending $350 a month on financing for an old car that was costing me money in repairs.  So, I sold the S6 when I recieved a good offer from a friend, and drove in-between my Porsche and my old beater Jeep (both of which were paid for) for an entire year. 

But, after a year of driving the Porsche as a daily driver, it became obvious that this is not the best daily driver and it was over 10 years old.  I needed a new car.

I was working for a car dealership at the time that had basically all imports, and I could get a good deal on anything...  any new Audi, Saab, BMW, etc.  I found myself missing the S-cars, but not wanting another and having to rebuild it, so a few months ago I bought a 2004 Volvo V70R.  This was my first new car purchase.  

I highly reccomend the S60R (and wagon-based V70R).  It feels like an S-car when you drive it, but has another 10 years of evolution and refinement.  300bhp turbocharged 5-cylinder, six-speed manual, Haldex AWD, 13" Brembo brakes, 17 or 18" wheels with Pirelli P-Zeros, great active suspension...  the list goes on.  

I'm very happy with the car..  love the suspension and steering has good weight and precise (two things that I always had a problem with on the S-cars).  The power is awsome, but not as linear as the S4 was.  There's some software upgrades and with a different downpipe, it can be faster and have a smoother powerband.  

I'll refrain from getting too involved, but I think the S60R is worth a second look.  If you like the S-cars feel and what it is...  I think you will like the S60R!  It's a very close relative to the original S-car.   Much more so than any of the new Audis.  

The only two things I will comment that I don't like are:
(1) The new R's have the worst turning radius of any car I've ever driven (period)!
(2) The gearbox is very notchy, makes gearchanges tedious and not as quick as I'd like.  

I also must reccomend the Atacama (natural) leather interior.  It's really unique!  

So, what is a good deal?  I reccomend Volvo's Overseas Delivery Program and if you can lease it, I think that's the way to go.  If you have any questions about the car, feel free to ask me.  

Later,
Dan
'04 V70R
Seattle, WA