Schlamozzel here with another Slumlord Brand (TM) review of a product the general public needs to hear. Our subject for today (said while tremendous fanfare music plays in the background, and with Schlamozzels "game show announcer" voice) is the 2004 Volvo XC70.
Many of you, my faithful readers, remember the year long fiasco with the 2003 Volvo XC70 that Mrs. Schlamozzel purchased. For a refresher, the car had a transmission problem, went back and forth with the dealership 10 times and was finally replaced after Schlamozzel wrote letters to Sweeden and Michigan. (Remember Ford Motors now owns Volvo Cars). The replacement vehicle is a 2004 Volvo XC70 Cross Country. We got it with 200 miles + or - on it.
The Basics
This 2004 Volvo XC70 Cross Country has the following:
Engine and transmission
2.5 liter (or litre in europe) 5 cylinder dual overhead cam alloy engine.
5 speed overdrive automatic geartronic transmission with adaptive shift logic and winter mode.
4 wheel traction control (TRACS)
Electronically controled all wheel drive.
Suspension / Chassis / Steering
Front independent strut suspension with anti roll bar and anti dive geometry (I have no idea what it all means folks)
Fully independent rear multi link suspension mounted on alloy sub frame
4 wheel power assisted disc brakes with ABS system and electronic breaking distribution system
16 inch alloy wheels with Pirelli tires
Aluminum front skid plate
Power assisted rack and pinion steering
Safety and Security
Unibody constructed with additional high strength steel passenger security cage
Volvo inflatable side curtain air bags
Driver and passenger front dual stage airbags
5 "3 point" safety belts with height adjustments and pretensioners on all 5 belt stations
5 padded head restraints
Volvo whiplash protection system (WHIPS) in driver and front passenger seat
"Safe approach and home safe" perimeter lighting system
Immobilizer anti thefte ignition system with coded keys
Security system with back up battery for siren
Daytime running lamps
Rear wiper system
"Iso Fix" baby child seat station in rear center
Child safety locks in rear doors
Cargo security cover
Molded side directional covers
Comfort and Convieniance
Power driver 8 point seat adjustments with 3 position memory and remote lumbar support setting
Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
Dual zone electronic climate control
Split folding rear seats with 2 position backrest and manual retractable head restraint
Key intergrated remote control unit for 2 step entry with tailgate release panic alarm ans safe approach.
Front and rear power windows with front driver and pasenger power down and up automatic. (Don't have to hold the button)
Heated outside power mirrors with memory
Interior dust and pollen filter system
Simulated redwood door and glove box trim
Front center armrest with cupholders and CD compartment
Leather steering wheel and gear shift lever covers
Driver and passenger illuminated vanity mirrors
2 front and 2 rear map / reading lights
Headlamp wipers and washers, roof rails and power sunroof.
Audio Equipment
In dash am / fm / cd / cassette stereo with 20 pre set stations
Dolby "B" surround sound system
4 x 25 watt amplifier / 6 speakers
Illuminated cruise control and radio tuning and volume control steering wheel mounted buttons
Environment
Radiator coated with "PremAir", a substance that converts "ground level" ozone to oxygen as you drive. (PremAir is a registered trade mark of Engelhardt Corporation)
Warranty
Factory scheduled maintenance 3 yr / 36,000 miles
48 month / 50,000 mile limited warranty
96 month "unlimited mileage" corrosion protection
Mileage Rating
19 miles per gallon city / 24 miles per gallon highway
Total suggested retail price on the sticker = $39,390.00
Driving experience
With the past experience we have endured I will say that I am at best skeptical of what Volvo has to offer. Once burned is twice shy they say. That having been said, please read on...
Oh this car is a comfortable, quiet ride. Except for the radio of course, that will make some noise. "Enough noise to wake the dead" as my mother said. But that is the "good kind" of noise I suppose. Engine noise is an absolute minimum in the car. Outside noise is tremendously reduced as well. I hear more road noise when I'm hunting 1.5 miles in the woods than I do sitting in the car.
This vehicle corners like a dream, the steering is tight and very responsive. A very good car for those twisty twervy roads like here in "backwoods" New England.
The snow / slopy winter roads are no match for this thing. The traction grips and powers this vehicle through the most adverse "driveable" road conditions. (I say drivable because nobody should be out if the Governor closes the roads due to blizard or flooding conditions)
Acceleration with this "quiet" turbo charger thing is like, "Chewy, Make the jump to light speed"! Incredibly responsive is all I can say.
Braking is exceptional. There have been a few of those "panic stop" situations that leave your heart in your throat this past winter. This car takes it like nothing ever happened. I am actually impressed.
Guess what happened...
With only 7,900 miles on the vehicle...
After Mrs. Schlamozzel finally completed years of surgery and physical therapy from her last auto accident...
When you least expect it...
18 feet of skid marks later a 1998 Ford Mustang slams into the rear end of Mrs. Schlamozzel!
This 2004 Volvo XC70 Cross Country has damage to the rear bumper, undercarrage, and has internal "torsion bars" that secure the unibody which were damaged. All you can see from the outside is a scratched up bumper cover and some misaligned trim.
Mrs. Schlamozzels injuries sustained
Concussion
Whiplash (apparently the offending vehicle struck the rear, drove under the car thus lifting it and slamming it down causing a forward thrust motion with a up / down whipping action)
Seatbelt injuries
There is a question of internal organ damage which is currently being investigated through medical tests
Shoulder injuries
Other injuries may not be yet discovered, but present.
What did not happen
Now, having been in the fire service for 10 years and seen some horrific collision scenes I can tell you this. A 3,000 punds car that leaves 18 feet of skid marks before directly colliding with another stationary object has a lot of kenetic energy to expel. When it collides with that stationary object the energy transferred wreaks havoc on that thing it hit. In my opinion and with my professional experience to back it I say a lesser grade vehicle would have about 1 foot of intrusion into the trunk area from this "major hit".
The body of the car doesn't look bad. The car doesn't drive straight on the road without having to turn the wheel, thus an indication of frame damage / torsion took place. Were it not for Mrs. Schlamozzel having been restrained bt the 3 point, height adjustable safety belt Mrs. Schlamozzel would have been thrown into the steering wheel and possibly struck the windshield. Almost certainly she would have suffered profound, and very possibly life threatening injuries.
As time goes on and things develop further I will update this post on the situation and full assessment and costs of repairs. But for now, I hope you forgive me if I just spend time tending to my wifes needs. The car is glass, plastic and metal. It means nothing to me. On the other hand, Mrs. Schlamozzel is the single most important thing in my life. As far as I'm concerned this 2004 Volvo XC70 Cross Country saved her life.
Cheers,
Schlamozzel
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Lemon Trade
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: 2004 XC70 Cross Country with EVERYTHING
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