2012 Volvo S60 T5 experience

[coachditka]

Got one for a few days as a loaner from the dealer. All I can say is wow. Volvo finally put together a sports sedan that can easily compete with BMW and Infinity. I have not driven a new new car in a long time and things have really come a long way. I got on the freeway and the turbo easily made passing fun and easy. This might sound silly, but I was really impressed that the stereo synced with my Iphone via blue tooth and I was able to listen to all my pod casts, pandora, etc. I'm easily impressed. It seems like there is a BMW 3 series in every driveway and the S60 is a good alternative IMHO.

 

[ls1mike]

How much horsepower is it? Sure looks sharp. Comfortable? I like the CTS but the Volvo is sharp car.

 

[Astro14]

IIRC, the S60 is 300 HP and the R design S60 is 325 HP...pretty good. My '02 has 247 HP and is one quick wagon...surprised a few folks with its acceleration and cornering ability...

 

[ls1mike]

How heavy are they? My Buick is 240 stock (I change a few thing since then)Are they Low 14 second 1/4 mile cars?

 

[wings&wheels]

I test drove the S60 T6 AWD and was very impressed. It was a great car, high content for the price, but I did not find the steering feel quite up to BMW/Audi yet, but aside from that it is certainly competitive with them. The only reason we did not buy the Volvo was that this car would be a commuter/kid hauler, there is just not that much negotiation on them (we were down to ~$40k on a 42.8K sticker) and the deals currently available on SAAB's are (were? since SAAB just got bailed out again...maybe) so good.

 

[SLCraig]

Finally? the S60R has been awesome for years, but of course that is just my opinion. I have always loved fast Volvos with manual transmissions, they are just great, unsuspecting cars. Love 'em!

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig

Finally? the S60R has been awesome for years, but of course that is just my opinion. I have always loved fast Volvos with manual transmissions,

Too bad this new S60R isn't available with a manual trans.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: coachditka

Volvo finally put together a sports sedan that can easily compete with BMW and Infinity. I have not driven a new new car in a long time and things have really come a long way.

Sorry for nitpicking, but wouldn't you have to drive a new BMW and Infiniti as well before making this statement? Everyone keeps making improvements, not just Volvo.

 

[Stanley Rockafeller]

Originally Posted By: coachditka

Got one for a few days as a loaner from the dealer. All I can say is wow. Volvo finally put together a sports sedan that can easily compete with BMW and Infinity. I have not driven a new new car in a long time and things have really come a long way. I got on the freeway and the turbo easily made passing fun and easy. This might sound silly, but I was really impressed that the stereo synced with my Iphone via blue tooth and I was able to listen to all my pod casts, pandora, etc. I'm easily impressed. It seems like there is a BMW 3 series in every driveway and the S60 is a good alternative IMHO.

Try and do a u-turn in busy traffic, silly swede's still can't get that problem fixed after countles complaints from several (including me) customers. And just like others said, I also think you should at least test drive the competition before making an accurate comparison.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

Originally Posted By: SLCraig

Finally? the S60R has been awesome for years, but of course that is just my opinion. I have always loved fast Volvos with manual transmissions,

Too bad this new S60R isn't available with a manual trans.

They are emulating Mercedes S/SL/CL there, no manual...... there have been studies shown that a Tiptronic-type setup MAY have been good akn to BMW SMG, but that an actual clutch and gearbox would be.. out of place on a car like that. Silly swedes = stubborn swedes And the S60 in T6 form, not so much T5 form though the T5 is very capable, has been likened to a much-improved car with a masterpiece INTERIOR that drives somewhat smooth, but also has aspects of it that are bested by the Buick Lesabre/Regal, Acura TL and Audi A6. Let me see if i can pull up that review that says it is a good value but still is "oddly swedish" if driven. http://www.edmunds.com/volvo/s60/ and (this one is most useful) http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/05/review-2012-volvo-s60-t5/ That said, id still buy one. Its different, new, bold, the backseat is like most every other Euro car - a bit small, and that commercial with the skid turn made me want one! Silver is this car's color. MAYBE Black.

 

[coachditka]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

Originally Posted By: coachditka

Volvo finally put together a sports sedan that can easily compete with BMW and Infinity. I have not driven a new new car in a long time and things have really come a long way.

Sorry for nitpicking, but wouldn't you have to drive a new BMW and Infiniti as well before making this statement? Everyone keeps making improvements, not just Volvo.

Yes. I have a co worker that has an Infiniti and a family member with a 5 series. I have driven both. I didn't want to write a rambling review like I am some sort of car review pro...I just happened to have an s60 to play with for a few days and liked the heck out of it.

 

[45ACP]

Originally Posted By: coachditka

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

Originally Posted By: coachditka

Volvo finally put together a sports sedan that can easily compete with BMW and Infinity. I have not driven a new new car in a long time and things have really come a long way.

Sorry for nitpicking, but wouldn't you have to drive a new BMW and Infiniti as well before making this statement? Everyone keeps making improvements, not just Volvo.

Yes. I have a co worker that has an Infiniti and a family member with a 5 series. I have driven both. I didn't want to write a rambling review like I am some sort of car review pro...I just happened to have an s60 to play with for a few days and liked the heck out of it.

Did you like it MORE than the Infiniti and 5-series? First gen Q45 = cool 2nd Gen Q45 = Tame, not worth it IMHO 3rd gen Q45 w 345HP = bubbly, powerul, a huge "maybe" 2012 s60 = looks like a Nissan Altima, but classier.. i like it and i walked oast one today. Sharp!5-series = one of my fav cars, if not a bit tired. In review of cars, Infiniti wasnt looked on too kindly and didnt make it to a comparo. This was some years ago. Maybe it has found a used market niche, like a QX4, etc.

 

[coachditka]

Originally Posted By: 45ACP

Originally Posted By: coachditka

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

Originally Posted By: coachditka

Volvo finally put together a sports sedan that can easily compete with BMW and Infinity. I have not driven a new new car in a long time and things have really come a long way.

Sorry for nitpicking, but wouldn't you have to drive a new BMW and Infiniti as well before making this statement? Everyone keeps making improvements, not just Volvo.

Yes. I have a co worker that has an Infiniti and a family member with a 5 series. I have driven both. I didn't want to write a rambling review like I am some sort of car review pro...I just happened to have an s60 to play with for a few days and liked the heck out of it.

Did you like it MORE than the Infiniti and 5-series? First gen Q45 = cool 2nd Gen Q45 = Tame, not worth it IMHO 3rd gen Q45 w 345HP = bubbly, powerul, a huge "maybe" 2012 s60 = looks like a Nissan Altima, but classier.. i like it and i walked oast one today. Sharp!5-series = one of my fav cars, if not a bit tired. In review of cars, Infiniti wasnt looked on too kindly and didnt make it to a comparo. This was some years ago. Maybe it has found a used market niche, like a QX4, etc.

Personally I liked the S60 the best. I'm not trashing any other brand, this one just got my attention.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: coachditka

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

Originally Posted By: coachditka

Volvo finally put together a sports sedan that can easily compete with BMW and Infinity. I have not driven a new new car in a long time and things have really come a long way.

Sorry for nitpicking, but wouldn't you have to drive a new BMW and Infiniti as well before making this statement? Everyone keeps making improvements, not just Volvo.

Yes. I have a co worker that has an Infiniti and a family member with a 5 series. I have driven both.

Cool. Thanks for the clarification. Your initial statement made it sound like the only new car you've driven in a long time was the S60. IMO, the new S60 is a good looking car, at least on the outside. The interior feels sort of like walking into IKEA, kind of sterile, but that's very subjective of course. If it was available with a stickshift, I'd definitely consider it.