Meant front left wheel to BACK right wheel

 

Interesting points regarding the choice you made and the thought that went into it. I was torn between the two cars as well, but in the end went with the Acura. I could not deal with the abysmal resale value, the potential for more engine breakdowns (forced induction engines typically require more work), the higher price, and the fact that they wouldn't even let me test drive it!!

I do still wish that the Acura had an additional 30+ horsepower and AWD, but the sweet sound of VTEC manages to keep me content

 

there dashboards and center consoles are disgusting

 

I must have told myself a dozen times... "I will be happy with either car I get". They are both good cars. The HP is not the problem with the Acura, it is the torque. If the car had 50 or more ft-lbs of torque it would be more appealing. And the AWD would have made it a no brainer.

I am not sure I agree with your forced induction comment. That might have been true 20 years ago thanks to chrysler, but certainly not if you take care of the car. I put 93 octane gas in the car, change the oil when required and only use synthetic, and put an aftermarket cold air intake and filter on the car to make sure it gets clean air, and a boost timer on the car so it will run to cool down and warm up. High Performance requires knowledge and care.

I had a hard time test driving the car too. I had to drive to a dealer almost 2 hours from my house to find an 05 with manual transmission. I test drove an 04 automatic several times and hated the transmission...so it was wroth making the trip to make the final decision.

Check out the sound of the Volvo... Actually sounds much better than the Acura...I was shocked... Volvo S60R Exhaust Sound Clip

 

WOW!! That does sound sweet!! I have been asking for a sound clip of the Comptech exhaust for MONTHS and have yet to find a single clip!!

The one thing I DO like about the Volvo is that it is much less mainstream. I have only encountered one on the road, Black/black we both glanced and nodded at each other.

Thanks for the information on the forced induction reliability as well. I guess as technology marches forward, so to does reliability (not true in all cases, but in most).

Enjoy your S60!

 

S60R got awd, more hp, better suspension~ anyway a very nice car~

but the brand is too old for me...

 

I looked at the TL & the S60. The ride in the TL is better, the interior nicer, more interior room, & it was less expensive...

 

I heard the Comptech exhaust on another web site... It was NOT impressive. The quality of the recording was not as good as the Volvos, but I would have expected to here it and it really wasn't that loud or that rumbly. I was immidiately dissapointed. The driver in the video was kind of sad and didn't seem to have a clue how to show people how an exhaust sounds.

The Comptech stuff is nice, but it is intended to be oem replacement stuff. Not performance racing stuff. Which is why they aren't using 3" downpipes, a hi-Flo Cat and a 3" exhaust. Makes a big difference.

Keep searching the forums for the Comptech exhaust it is out there. I just don't remember its URL.

 

Not sure what S60R you test drove, but the ride was NOT better in the TL. What mode did you have the suspension on in the S60R? Do you actually like body roll when cornering becaseu the Acura has a ton of it? Do you not like to have torque while in 5th gear on the high way doing 70? The Volvo seats are probably the most comfortable seats in any car I have ever sat in with excellent latteral hold.

The build quality in both cars is exceptional. I think alot of people can get sidetracked by the Acura's gadgets and not realize how limiting they can be. It is the difference between an enthusiast and someone looking for a new fun machine to drive. One thing that turned me off to the Acura was the main streem marketing they are doing with this car. They are trying to make it the be all end all for all people and it is losing its uniqueness in the process. There was nothing that was GREAT in the car, just a lot of good things. Which makes it an all around good car...but not GREAT.

 

Enjoy your new car. You did a lot of research and it sounds like you made the best decision for you. OTOH, I decided on the one that does lots of things that I care about very well rather than just a few. I/we compromised one way, you another.

It seems to me that the more unique a car is, the more difficult to find parts and a repair person. You are right, Honda/Acura tends to build a crowd pleaser and Volvo has more of a niche product especially the hi-performance models. Please keep us posted on your experience.

 

Thanks, you enjoy yours as well. Like I said it was a really hard decision. I had the Volvo Ordered and was setting up my Overseas delivery and I still went on one more test drive of each to be sure. It is funny, I was 100% sure I would get the new acura when I started looking for cars....Then I guess my tastes and expectations matured. So, I guess I should be worried for the next time I buy a car... BMW 745i here I come!

If anyone else is considering an aftermarket parts comparison...for Volvo there are many more companies making them. Check out evolvecars.com and svenskeracing.com. Those are two who are offering HUGE upgrades to everything from the AWD to the turbo or even just brakes and ECU upgrades.

Enjoy!