This is a little bit of a rambling so please bear with me...

Anyway, I was looking at the new 2011 Volvo S60 and while I understand it's a compact car at 182 inches long, the price is about the same as the TL SH-AWD. I saw the engine numbers: 3.0 Turbo 6 good for 300 hp/325 tq, a 6 speed auto and AWD and similar gas mileage.

The only numbers I found for 0-60 and such pointed toward a mid 6 to high 5 car, like the 5AT TL.

Sooo my question was, how a 3900 lbs compact car with a 6th gear and 50 tq more than the 5AT TL SH-AWD can't be any faster than that? Because Volvo didn't want to make is quicker and chose a more conservative gearing?

It also makes me wonder what direction Acura might take with the new 6AT for the TL. My guess is that it'll follow that of the MDX and RL which is a 0.5 0-60 improvement and a 1 MPG increases.

Anyone compared the 2 cars???

End of ramblings!

 

I've owned two Volvos (the 850 Turbo and the S70 GLT).

Horrible reliability but the best/most comfortable front seats in the business.

 

^I had test driven a couple of S60Rs after they first came out, and I'd have to agree with PsychDoc about the seats ... hands down the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in. Also, their stock Dynaudio systems are some of the best factory systems around ... made even better once you access the hidden EQ menu.

 

At one time was considering Volvo as well till I talked to my mechanic who specializes in European cars and mentioned how expensive replacment parts for Volvos are and the reliability issue.
He had the same comments about Audis.

 

I heard the same thing. When I purchased my 2001 3.2 CL while residing in Allentown, PA area I was looking at Lexus, BMW, Audi, Subaru, and Volvo. My neighbor was an ASE certified mechanic for Mack Trucks up that way. Everything I test drove I swung by the apt. complex for him to scrutinize and break down the pros and cons mechanically for me. He liked the Acura best...even though he was a big American patron, Chevy. I did something similar with this TL, the guy is actually a Nissan mechanic. Does he drive a Nissan, well....

 

I think European car designs are awesome (Audi and BMW make some great looking cars). That being said, Volvo makes some goofy looking cars, but they sell because they don't necessarily pimp their acceleration, comfort, etc. in their ads - they promote their safety. Because, as you know, you could run head-on into a locomotive ant 75 mph and still survive in a Volvo, not to mention the cupholders that wouldn't spill a drop of your coffee in the process...

 

I've always heard that Volvo's are one of the safest cars on the road....

 

Yes I've heard the same and I'm sure they are, but I'm not going to buy a car with crappy reliability and expesive repair bills based on something that God forbid I will never be involved in(CRASH).

 

For what it is worth, I leased a new 2001 S60/T5, 265HP as I recall? Put 75k on it in 4 years. Car ran well with some stupid issues, like the in-dash CD player eating 4 discs and freezing up, and side marker lights (both sides) that would snap off just from normal wear and tear. The car had pretty good pull off the line and while passing on the highway, but very quiet. While a bit more sporty looking than past years, these cars are historically designed and tuned for safety and fuel economy before performance, so I am not surprised at the stats you are seeing.

At 6'5", I loved the seats too and thought the interior was laid out very well, although anyone at 5'2" - 5'4" would complain that the front headrest (used to be in a fixed position, don't know now,) would contact their head at an awkward angle. So comfort was an issue here. I would recommend to check to see if this has been improved. Overall though, I liked the car.

 

In one of the reviews about TL awd i've read that even Acura did not give its 305 hp engine full potential, as this more of a luxury than sport vehicle. I imagine that most people buying a TL are not really concerned with its 0-60 performance.

 

Totally agree with you. I consider the TL a Luxury car. If anything I'm the one who drives it hard, not the wife.

 

I think that Volvo lately is making some really nice looking cars with some great exterior designs.

However, I still did not even walk into their showroom once when I was shopping for a car earlier this year. The main reason was their very poor re-sale value. All of the poor reliability issues etc. you guys mentioned above were all very true. It's the same with BMW and MB and yet I did go into their showrooms. Why? Both BMW and MB still have good re-sale values despite their poor reliability. However, Volvo really does poorly here....