Need a ski car, thinking Volvo wagon?

[Soterik]

Going to get rid of my daily driver E class Benz, as I need a car that will take us into the mountains for travel with my older son on his ski racing travel. I was using my towing rig Suburban last year, but I'm just tired of driving that pig around the Northwest not to mention the mileage.

Soo, the budget is around $10K perhaps $12K. I'm thinking of a Volvo wagon vintage about 2000, 2001. There appears to be a lot of them in the Seattle area. Seems they get decent mileage, have the amenities, have side airbags, etc. I don't really want a Subaru...not sure why, but I just don't.

Any opinions? Different options? Talk me into it? Talk me out of it?

Will be selling a 1994 E420, original paint, silver over blue leather, new engine wiring harness, new distributor caps (spendy), newer 16" E500 wheels, 78K original miles, 3 owners.

Thanks!!

Eric

[red-beard]

Get something that can fit Nokian tires. Keep money off the table from the deal for the tires. Hakkapeliitta!

I would go for a small SUV with 4WD and Nokian tires. If you're going to be driving in the snow, you want some height as well as the ability to push through the snow.

[Soterik]

I updated my initial post... the Volvo wagon I'm thinking of is the AWD XC70 which has a higher ride height from the factory. As for the tires, absolutely will run a full set of whatever the best will be for this upcoming year. Wife runs a Passat with 4 studded Pirelli's....

tks

[Dave Nordhoff]

I ski about 30 days a season and I love my Dodge Caravan. My kids and I can gear up in comfort without opening a door. Front wheel drive with good tires and I have never used
chains. Plus its great for camping, hauling stuff and can carry 7 people. Plus chicks dig minivans.

My $.02,

Dave

[Stanley]

I considered getting an XC70 for a while. Then I did some research and found that these cars are complete money pits in terms of maintenance and basic items breaking. Their awd system is also really weak.

[steveo123456]

Get a Subie. IMHO an Outback is the best ski vehicle on the planet.

[vash]

Originally Posted by steveo123456

Get a Subie. IMHO an Outback is the best ski vehicle on the planet.

+1, but i vote for the legacy wagon.

[Brian Cameron]

How about one of these?





Or these?

[Soterik]

I really don't want a Subaru...sigh...I know they are good, but there are soooo many of them here. I'll think about it....

Now a Carrera 4 sounds great! But it's not in the budget....sadly....I do have an original vintage Porsche ski rack though!!

Any more input on a Volvo?? Or???

[Brian Cameron]

OK, seriously, used to have a volvo 850AWD, one of the very few standard transmissions they made in this model. With good winter tires, it was unbelievable in the snow. It simply would not get stuck.

However I can't vouch for the quality of what Volvo / Ford is making now. We did have a lot of electrical problems with that beast, one of the reasons it was the last Volvo I have owned (and I've owned 7 of them since 1982).

Maybe they're OK again but I'd check the Consumers ratings on a X-Country or similar to be sure.

On the tires, I'd second the Nokian Hakkepellitas or however you spell that, especially the speed rated RSI model. They should make winter hiking boots with that compound and tread pattern, no one would ever slip and fall again. Ever.

[Chocaholic]

I currently drive an XC70. Bought it new though...it's an 08 and has about 12k on it. Traded in a Lexus GS300 and like the Volvo much better. But, the car you're considering is a different animal, so I can't vouch for it in terms of maintenance cost, etc. The Turbo 5 in that car is supposed to be quite reliable and fuel efficient. Mine has the newer in-line 6 and is as smooth and quiet as any Lexus or MB that I've owned.

Went with the wagon to have room for my son's RC Airplane gear. I'd say the quality is top-notch. Great materials, thoughtfully designed and not a single issue with the car. I have an in-law with an 03 with 90k on it and they've been very happy with it. We plan to keep this one for a long time. It will become my wife's car once she's able to move out of her minivan (3kids and two dogs still at home)

I have to agree with you on the Subie. Every time I visit the NW, they're coming out of the woodwork. Not sure what it is. The people I've met who drive them have been primarily left-wing liberal, unattractive women. Not intended as a stereotype...just my personal observation.

Perhaps Volvo owners are no different (except me I guess). I'm admittedly a bit unattractive, but will not be voting for Obama.

[Dave L]

subaru ... Ewww yuck, too common and too ugly.

Heres what I got last month



It wont be as big as the Volvo if thats important but the Saab will be cheaper than the similar Impreza and most likely still have warranty left.

2005 Saab 92x is basically an impreza wagon with a different nose, surprisingly I have found the fuel economy to be very good despite the 4WD.

[berettafan]

We have gone back and forth over a V70 (2wd version) over the past few years and one thing i recall loud and clear; AVOID 2001 models. Can't even remember why that is right now but i've seen it many places.

[Macroni]

Audi Avant wagons, A4, A6 or Allroad, BMW 5 series xi wagon, Mercedes 4trac wagon, Passat 4motion wagon. These are all 17 to 20 mpg types. Great deals on all these cars.

[surflvr911sc]

Audi Wagon is the way I would go. They even come in black.

Here's a 2002 Audi Allroad Quattro 2.7T $12,995

Link:

[onewhippedpuppy]

The late '90s Volvo AWD systems were notoriously unreliable. If I remember correctly, the center diff would burn up from wear, improper oil level, or different sized tires (including using a spare). Very pricey fix, and I'm not sure when/if they improved the system. Do some research before you buy an AWD Volvo.

If it were me, and I wanted a ski vehicle only, I'd go with a used SUV. They are dirt cheap right now, and tough to beat in the snow. 4wd, ground clearance, and good snow tires, you can't be stopped. You can pick up a 2000 or so Mercedes ML with under 100k for under $10k, along with a host of others.

[RKC]

I've heard bad things about 2001 Volve XC70's too - but I owned one for three years and had zero problems - and I mean nothing - fewer than our Acura MDX or the current X5.

2001-2002's did have some special viscous AWD, and 2003 went to a more normal Haldex system....But, as I said, despite all the stories, mine was fine for 40+K miles.....

I liked the 2001 quite a bit. But the 2000'm might make sense as they would be the previous year model/body style, which looks jut like all Volve wagons since the 1970's, and so the outside bits might be easier to find.

I thought the 2001 V70 XC (later XC70) was a great car. Drove nicely, quick enough, got about 18 city and up to 28 highway, which isn't bad compared to an SUV....

When replacing the Volvo in 2004, we looked at Audi's Allroad, but found it to be too small, too harsh/dark, and despite all the raves, I've never liked the Audi interiors. YMMV. But if there's one thing everyone seems to agree on, it is that Audi's are maintenance nightmares.

[Soterik]

Thanks for the input....

At this point I still can't suffer into a Subie... I know, I know... but the stereotype does exist.. Maybe a Forester with the 2.5X, but its still above my price threshold.

The Audi's scare me.....

The BMW's are too pricey still...

The only Mercedes that fits is really the ML320, and I hear they don't get great mileage, but I'll look into it further....

I think the Saab 92x is a neat little car, but it may be too small even with a box on top, I'm going to look at one at a dealer.

Appreciate the updated info on good years of Volvo...I'll try to find an 03 and drive it....might still be on the high side price wise. I have heard they get pretty good mileage.

We will be driving about 7000 miles during the ski season (that's what we did last year). I went to Mt. Hood 5 times last year......

E

[911boost]

My wife had an S60 AWD, I think it was a 2002. We didn't have a single problem with it. For those of you that said the AWD sucks, its made by Haldex, the same company that makes the Audi system.

Ours was a lease, so when it was over, we bought an XC90. It has doen 30K trouble free miles. Something I would expect, with a higher priced car.

Audi, umm yeah, read Jim and Tim's threads, I will NEVER own one.

I would find a newer lease return XC70, and buy the extended warranty. You should be fine. Our S60 was pretty unstoppable in the snow.

Bill

[vash]

there is this guy here that tracks his wife's subie legacy. he shows up, unloads the car of family stuff, and then runs in advance groups with ferraris. it is a sight to behold.

i think the rest of your car choices are going to be expensive to fix/maintain. my wife has the lesbo forester. i hated it at first, but the turbo version with the artificial atmosphere rocks in the mountians. i looked at the SAAB, but i felt that it was just an uglier version of the WRX, but beauty is in the eye's of the beholder.