Loaner Car:  Volvo 940

"PyramidHat" (pyramidhat) 01/31/2015 at 00:37 • Filed to: None

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7

Had the XC in the shop for service and brakes and go this as a loaner:

Not a firebrand by any stretch (naturally aspirated). What I found interesting is the level of comfort that this car lacked. Now, to be fair, this has 125K miles, but even beside that, it seems that this era was generally less plush than the more current (>2000) models. To wit: The first time I sat in the XC (right after my friend bought it in 2005) the thing that stood out was how comfortable the seat was. Shockingly so. Then I could tell that the design and layout of the dash and the upholstery on the door panels was top notch (down to the baseball-style stitching). The 940, just seemed more spartan; it was good, but not...well...plush...it's like Volvo experienced a paradigm shift at the end of the 90's. It's still a fine car with interesting features (like the little tray on the side of the drivers seat, or the door handle that's built into the armrest), just very much different in concept, I think.

ly2v8-Brian > PyramidHat 01/31/2015 at 01:33

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It's like a really curvy 740 series (because it pretty much is)

Big Bubba Ray > PyramidHat 01/31/2015 at 01:43

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Fact: Volvo seats are the best seats.

My younger brother has a S40 and the seats are some next level shit.

Sam > Big Bubba Ray 01/31/2015 at 02:14

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Are those the ones with the crazy airbags in the sides? Or was that the S80?

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > PyramidHat 01/31/2015 at 02:16

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I've always found my 7s and 9s to be incredibly comfortable. I say this, having owned an S60 in my past.

bryan40oop > PyramidHat 01/31/2015 at 02:16

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This must of been their thought process for using a volvo as a loaner.

Big Bubba Ray > Sam 01/31/2015 at 02:31

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Probably the S80. The 40 is the the "base" model of these Volvos. I'm sure it's well equipped with airbags. Shit, I drive an '05 Outback and I'm 23. My brother is 18 and has the S40. He pays way less in insurance than I do. It's insane. Volvos are safe as shit and the insurance companies charge less for them.

twochevrons > Sam 01/31/2015 at 10:23

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That started with the 850. My 850R has them, and they terrify me somewhat – the detonator system is entirely mechanical and is never 'off'. If you're working on the seats, all you can do is slip an included plastic tab into the detonator mechanism, and just hope that you don't drop it or hit it too hard in the wrong place.

They're some of the most comfortable seats that I've ever sat in, though. Mmmmm, alcantara.