Calgary Car Talk - Page 6

Bigtime · #**101** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 2:04 PM**

This is my current car:

My Ride by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr

2011 Volvo XC70 AWD. It's got all the bells and whistles:

-Radar Cruise Control
-Blind spot warning system
-Lane departure warning system
-Driver alert system
-Automatic emergency braking
-Rear seat TV's (but our kids don't know about them yet, will try to keep it that way for as long as possible)
-Heated/Cooled seats (cooled seats rock on a hot day when you get into the car after a round of golf)

Pretty much the perfect size for our now family of 4, I like having the bit of extra space in the back (a step up from my previous Volvo S60).

Mrs. Bigtime drives a 2008 Yaris (hatchback), and she loves it (she only has like 30,000km on it too). Like this one, but she has the bike racks on top:

240glt · #**102** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 2:12 PM**

^ Nice upgrade! Thought you had an S80 for some reason

Here's my classic old 242... she hasn't been out of the garage this year as I've just had too much elseo on the go... next year... next year....

CorporateWhore · #**103** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 2:17 PM**

Loving the Volvos....we have one as well that my wife drives primarily. Really great car...roomy as hell when you need it, but small enough to drive and park easy in urban situations.

And here's my pride and joy.

Also have a Mazda Protege 5 that I use as a winter beater (you can see the tip of it on the left in the above photo). It's a little rusty, but man is that car ever fun. Sometimes more so than the Cayman.

Bigtime · #**104** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 2:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240glt

^ Nice upgrade! Thought you had an S80 for some reason

Here's my classic old 242... she hasn't been out of the garage this year as I've just had too much elseo on the go... next year... next year....

Love those old Volvo's, our family has become something of a Volvo family. Let's just say that Valentine Volvo here in Calgary likes us. Here (to my best knowledge) are all the Volvo's my family has had:

-'96 Volvo 960 (first one my dad got, that started it all)
-S80 (first year it came out)
-S40 x2
-S60 x2
-XC90 x2 (they were both a bit of a lemon unfortunately)
-V70 R
-XC70 x3

The current "fleet" is:

-XC70 x2 (2011, 2012)
-S60 (2011)
-S40 (2011)

240glt · #**105** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 2:33 PM**

How have the XC70's been ? My day-to-day driver (2000 Toyota Tacoma) is getting on in years and up in miles, and with the "kids" (2 labs and a Chihuahua) it'll be a lot easier with something of the wagon/ SUV variety... The dogs don't go in the partners' Acura TL... so I was thinking about a 4Runner or an XC70

Lordy.. can't even remember how many Volvos I have had over the years... all started with my Dad's 1976 265GLE that I got given to me when I was 16... and it just never stopped!

Bigtime · #**106** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 2:38 PM**

I've enjoyed the XC70, lots of power for the highway driving, I've got about 44,000km on it and have had no maintenance issues. Perfect car for our family size now.

Calgarian · #**107** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 2:51 PM**

I don't get the appeal of those old Volvos, they are not attractive cars IMO.

Bigtime · #**108** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 3:02 PM**

I bet you hate boxes too don't ya?

Full Mountain · #**109** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 3:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Loving the Volvos....we have one as well that my wife drives primarily. Really great car...roomy as hell when you need it, but small enough to drive and park easy in urban situations.

And here's my pride and joy.

Also have a Mazda Protege 5 that I use as a winter beater (you can see the tip of it on the left in the above photo). It's a little rusty, but man is that car ever fun. Sometimes more so than the Cayman.

What year is your P5? I notice it has the silver headlight surrounds (mine are black) I know they were only produced for 2 years, the other difference I've noticed is the marker/signal light behind the front wheel, but I can't seem to find confirmation whether they were a year change (02, 03) or a mid-year change (I read in one place about a 2003.5 version).

240glt · #**110** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 3:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I don't get the appeal of those old Volvos, they are not attractive cars IMO.

I get that....they're definitely a "style"... people seem to either love them or hate them

Both Calgary and Edmonton have very successful Volvo car clubs

Innersoul1 · #**111** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 3:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

This is my current car:

My Ride by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr

2011 Volvo XC70 AWD. It's got all the bells and whistles:

-Radar Cruise Control
-Blind spot warning system
-Lane departure warning system
-Driver alert system
-Automatic emergency braking
-Rear seat TV's (but our kids don't know about them yet, will try to keep it that way for as long as possible)
-Heated/Cooled seats (cooled seats rock on a hot day when you get into the car after a round of golf)

Pretty much the perfect size for our now family of 4, I like having the bit of extra space in the back (a step up from my previous Volvo S60).

Mrs. Bigtime drives a 2008 Yaris (hatchback), and she loves it (she only has like 30,000km on it too). Like this one, but she has the bike racks on top:

Loved my Volvo when I had it! Would definitely get one in the future. I really like the XC60s and my in-laws have a brand spanking new loaded to the tits C70 Convertible. The only thing lame about it is the stupid radio antenna that sticks out the side like and 80s cell phone!

Biggie, I am curious about your thoughts about the lane departure system. All of the reviews I have read on Volvos equipped with it state that it's a great system but REALLY annoying. to the point that people just shit it off. Thoughts?

Bigtime · #**112** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 3:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

Loved my Volvo when I had it! Would definitely get one in the future. I really like the XC60s and my in-laws have a brand spanking new loaded to the tits C70 Convertible. The only thing lame about it is the stupid radio antenna that sticks out the side like and 80s cell phone!

Biggie, I am curious about your thoughts about the lane departure system. All of the reviews I have read on Volvos equipped with it state that it's a great system but REALLY annoying. to the point that people just shit it off. Thoughts?

I turn off the lane departure most of the time, I'll use it on long highway drives usually.

DizzyEdge · #**113** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 5:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I turn off the lane departure most of the time, I'll use it on long highway drives usually.

They should have an automatic feature were it goes on after 10 or 15 mins of not making turns.

CorporateWhore · #**114** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 5:43 PM**

I usually hate that kind of nanny tech in cars myself, although the blind-spot detection in my wifes V50 is pretty nice. You should still shoulder-check all the time, but once in a while it helps you to see something that you don't spot even with a check (things moving too fast, or in chaotic situations), which makes it very handy to have.

Bigtime · #**115** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 6:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

They should have an automatic feature were it goes on after 10 or 15 mins of not making turns.

The car actually has another system that does just that. It is the 'Driver Alert System', at speeds over 60km/h it uses the windshield camera and control movements of the driver to detect if they are starting to drift around the road (perhaps due to being tired), it will sound an audible alarm upon reaching a certain threshold.

This system is independent of the lane departure system, which you can turn off.

gmc72 · #**116** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 6:54 PM**

This is my pride and joy:

350hp, 0-60 in under 6 seconds, and one of the best vehicle to take a road trip in. It's got heated seats, power everything (including adjustable pedals), sunroof, a/c, leather seats, and one of the best sounds when the pedal is pushed to the floor.

Of course, when I commute, I usually take the bus.

CorporateWhore · #**117** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 9:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer

I am looking at upgrading to the FR-S.

Great little review by Chris Harris about the FR-S in comparison to a 370Z, or a used Cayman S. Not hugely surprised by the outcome, but an enjoyable video.

• Video Link

Innersoul1 · #**118** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 9:34 PM**

Good video. But I must say those tail lights are hideous!

Me&You · #**119** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 10:58 PM**

Interesting... This isn't the Prius club I expected it to be

Some nice rides here...

suburbia · #**120** Posted **Aug 15, 2012, 11:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

This is my current car:

My Ride by BigtimeYYC, on Flickr

2011 Volvo XC70 AWD. It's got all the bells and whistles:

-Radar Cruise Control
-Blind spot warning system
-Lane departure warning system
-Driver alert system
-Automatic emergency braking
-Rear seat TV's (but our kids don't know about them yet, will try to keep it that way for as long as possible)
-Heated/Cooled seats (cooled seats rock on a hot day when you get into the car after a round of golf)

Pretty much the perfect size for our now family of 4, I like having the bit of extra space in the back (a step up from my previous Volvo S60).

Mrs. Bigtime drives a 2008 Yaris (hatchback), and she loves it (she only has like 30,000km on it too). Like this one, but she has the bike racks on top:

Now I know why I tend to agree with you so often. I drive an FX35 fit out similar to your volvo (few variances like around view cameras - and yes, I like the heated/cooled vented seats too) and with 39K on it. My wife has a yaris hatchback, which she very much loves.