Lately, I have been aroused by Volvo's offerings

"Stupidru" (Schm1an)
03/18/2014 at 13:20 • Filed to: None

In my quest to find the perfect replacement car, I stumbled upon the new Volvo S60 R-Design. Yes yes yes, it's heavy (er) than any other sport sedan, it has the poo-poo Haldex AWD system, and it's for old people because it's safe and because it's a Volvo.

But here's where things get interesting: In my growing age I no longer strive to achieve the fastest time through roundabouts and set a new record for shortest commute. While the S60 RD is no slouch at 325hp, my current car, while nothing special, is killing my back slowly. Volvos have great seats, some say.

In the next few years my wife and I will likely have kids. Volvos are safe, some say. Need more room? They have the V60 RD.

And how can you argue with the looks of the S60 RD? It's a reserved look, but it also won't attract kids at red lights. The mirrors look great, even though they are stolen from Audi S-lines. It is the ultimate sleeper, some say.

And lastly, before I get lambasted because of it's lack of a proper transmission, I will need something my wife can drive if we're in a pickle. Plus, I plan on getting a race Miata or S2k... with a third pedal.

IF I end up buying and enjoying the S60 RD, I could see one of these in our driveway to replace our Forester:

DISCUSSION (24)

EL_ULY > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 13:43

Get them now or wait til late 2015. Awesome and more competitive complete changes are coming up starting with XC90.

spanfucker retire bitch > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 13:46

As long as it's using a Gen 4 Haldex AWD system, it'll work exceptionally well. Don't poo-poo every Haldex system. They're not all made equally.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 14:37

The S60 RD is a great car. And Volvo in general are the perfect blend of sport and comfort. They feel like if Recaro made a Laz-E-Boy. Just drive the thing in S-Mode. It basically shifts at the same point that a manual would.

Vi517, JDX Racing > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 14:41

The S60 R-Design is awesome. I test drove one a year ago and the suspension is very good. It is stiff enough for driving fast, but it also absorbs potholes like they weren't there. I was actually looking last night at these. If you don't mind buying used, you can get one with low miles for $20,000 off MSRP. I just don't need another car right now. :)

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Textured Soy Protein > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 14:57

Nothing wrong with wanting some comfort, safety and room for the chillrens.

I know you're here in Wisconsin like me hence the awd...maybe look at the Taurus SHO?

Rico > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 15:06

Get a V60 wagon!

sellphones2493 > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 16:27

I have Haldex in my '07 S60 R and it consistantly handles better than both my neighbors 4-Matic E-Class and my parents A5 and A6. In fact, Haldex makes some AWD Systems FOR Audi. Is Haldex fragile and expensive to repair? YES. Is Haldex poo-poo? NO.

Stupidru > Textured Soy Protein
03/18/2014 at 17:05

That's also on my list of cars to consider! That, or the uber-stealth Lincoln MKS Ecoboost

Stupidru > EL_ULY
03/18/2014 at 17:06

I won't be in a position to buy for another 2-3 years, but I figure I should be looking now to see what residual values of cars will be when they come off of lease. So the 2015 MY is what I'll likely be buying, which is good because the S60 RD finally got paddle shifters

Stupidru > Rico
03/18/2014 at 17:06

I do love me some wagon!

Stupidru > sellphones2493
03/18/2014 at 17:07

I mean no disrespect to Haldex, but coming from 3 Subarus, almost anything seems like a step down

EL_ULY > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 17:09

MY2016 is when the S60 will change into its new platform and become a new car all together.

Stupidru > spanfucker retire bitch
03/18/2014 at 17:11

Will it work as well as my Subarus? Are all of the wheels driven all the time?

sellphones2493 > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 17:19

I used to have a 2008 Legacy (not GT - hence why I 'used' to have it), and I never fully got to experience snow in a Subaru (not much snow over both years of ownership). One day....

Stupidru > sellphones2493
03/18/2014 at 17:27

I also used to have an LGT, but of the 06 variety. It was great in the snow- there was traction when you needed it, and power when you wanted to have fun

Stupidru > EL_ULY
03/18/2014 at 17:29

Hmmmm, keep us posted! I might have to delay my new car purchase another year if the new model is enticing enough

EL_ULY > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 17:32

yes sir no problem. I'm OPPO's local Volvo, Lotus, Merc, Aston source for news :]

sellphones2493 > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 17:33

I was considering not too long ago a 2008 WRX STI but they hold their value way too well - you can't find a single one under $23,000 with decent miles in decent shape. My current obsession is a 2003 Audi RS6 - hopefully reliability will scare me away!

Stupidru > sellphones2493
03/18/2014 at 17:44

My friend just got an A5 2.0T with a 6-speed, and it was a dream when I drove it. Absolutely buttery smooth and it felt like the engine and transmission complimented each other. For the longest time I was researching A5s and A4s and Golf Rs, and eventually the GTD... I came to the conclusion that if it's engineered in Germany, I should stay away. Nearly everybody that you hear about that has had an experience with a German car has at least one thing that is enough to scare me away

spanfucker retire bitch > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 18:24

No, but unlike previous Haldex Systems, a Gen 4 won't stop giving power to all the wheels if they all lose traction. A common problem with the older generation systems in the snow.

I never said the Gen 4 systems were the greatest thing ever - they still won't beat a system like Subaru's that's mechanically driven 100% of the time, but neither are the Haldex Gen 4 systems as bad as their predecessors.

However, I actually don't know if the Volvo S60 uses the Gen 4. I assume it does, but off the top of my head, I can't be sure.

Rico > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 18:47

V60 is quite the looker. One of our fellow Opponauts had one at his job recently and posted some preliminary thoughts. Let me look and I'll find the link!

Edit: Found it http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/test-drove-a-2…

If you're not in a huge rush you could probably get one of these, all the car you want plus all the space and it looks incredible.

Stupidru > Rico
03/18/2014 at 20:16

It's indeed a beautiful car. Wagons are just so functional, I don't know if I could push myself to get rid of my wagon for another sedan, so I may have to go with the V60 RD.

sellphones2493 > Stupidru
03/18/2014 at 22:45

My mother has an '09 A5 with the 3.2 V6 (automatic) and it doesn't do anything for me. My parents were die-hard Saab People, then to Volvo, then to BMW, and now to Audi (they're weird and buy things in pairs). So far with the German's, Audi's have been great in terms of reliability (granted, my mother has 60k on her A5, and my dad has 15K on his 2013 A6 3.0), but that'll most likely change once the warranties are up. The RS6 however, apparently requires on average of $6000+ a year in general maintenence!

Stupidru > sellphones2493
03/19/2014 at 08:55

Oh my goodness! I guess that's not too far off from what I've been hearing about the Phaeton upkeep costs. Just think about it, that's a car payment just in maintenance