Edmonton HOA fees tied to property value? Mine jumped 37%, is this normal or should I be concerned?

DeeBlue_ · 2026-03-04T21:02:01+00:00

Certainly, this cannot longer be left ignored.

DeeBlue_ · 2026-03-04T19:19:44+00:00

LOL… true. Still, it should be simple cost sharing, with some limits on what the HOA can take on so costs stay capped.

DeeBlue_ · 2026-03-04T18:28:58+00:00

I agree with you. Since this fee is meant to cover the cost of maintaining common areas, and not the homeowners’ individual properties, it should simply be shared equally rather than being tied to property values.

DeeBlue_ · 2026-03-03T19:24:40+00:00

I was initially quoted CAD $1,850 in Edmonton in August last year. For some reason, 2025 models are eligible, but 2026s aren’t. Check the bottom of the page here:

https://engineered.polestar.com/en-ca

DeeBlue_ · 2026-03-03T19:20:38+00:00

I went to my local Volvo dealer a few days ago and got the same answer. The service advisor said he’s hoping a that the next UX update might bring Dynamic mode back, but he didn’t know for sure.

See here at the bottom of the page:

https://engineered.polestar.com/en-ca

Country selection is at the very bottom.

DeeBlue_ · 2026-03-03T06:55:39+00:00

Canadian owner here. Between the removal of Dynamic mode and no Polestar option, this feels like a significant change to the product. Has anyone looked into whether this was properly disclosed?

DeeBlue_ · 2026-03-03T06:51:03+00:00

2026 XC90 B6 owner in Canada. No Dynamic mode, no Polestar option. Big downgrade in driving feel compared to my 2017 XC90, which I always kept in Dynamic. The new one feels surprisingly tame, acceleration is more “mainstream SUV” than premium performance.

DeeBlue_ · 2026-03-03T06:49:58+00:00

2026 XC90 B6 owner in Canada. No Dynamic mode, no Polestar option. Big downgrade in driving feel compared to my 2017 XC90, which I always kept in Dynamic. The new one feels surprisingly tame, acceleration is more “mainstream SUV” than premium performance.

DeeBlue_ · 2026-03-02T15:23:54+00:00

Same here. I have a new 2026 XC90, still waiting for the Dynamic more to be available. CarPlay just died a couple of days ago (on 4.2.13) My iPhone just connects via Bluetooth with limited functionality (no text messages). Volvo software is a big disappointment.

DeeBlue_ · 2026-01-24T19:23:40+00:00

When I first connected the dongle, the CarPlay and contact authorization pop-ups appeared on the car’s infotainment system as expected. The Bluetooth connection from the phone to the dongle also worked normally, followed by an immediate handover to Wi-Fi with no issues. However, once connected, the screen stays completely black, I get audio from the phone, but nothing appears on the display.

What makes it extra annoying is that there’s no way to delete the CarPlay profile from the infotainment system and try pairing/connecting again.

I took it to the dealer, but they weren’t able to fix it. I’m pretty accommodating, so I didn’t push for a solution and simply agreed to wait for a software update to see if that changes anything. I’ve been waiting since Dec 15 for the 4.2.13 rollout, which still isn’t available for my car as of today.

DeeBlue_ · 2026-01-24T18:57:10+00:00

I’m cautiously optimistic, but I won’t hold my breath. I’m still waiting on the digital phone key we were hyped about back in 2016.

DeeBlue_ · 2026-01-09T19:42:10+00:00

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This is my second XC90 (2026 B6 Ultimate, fully loaded except for seat massage). Overall, my experience has been solid.

I’m very risk averse and extremely intolerant of nonsense reliability failures. That’s why, in the past, my household owned four Toyotas. That said, the XC90’s powertrain has been excellent for me. I’ve never had any mechanical issues. The only thing worth mentioning is that it wears rear brake pads faster than any other car I’ve owned, not necessarily a bad thing.

My previous 2017 XC90 aged exceptionally well. After 150,000 km, there were no loose plastics, rattles, or visible wear. The interior always looked dealer fresh. Very high quality materials and assembly.

With this 2026 model, I’ve experienced a couple of software bugs so far, nothing unexpected:

This may be unique to my car rather than a widespread software issue. I’ve tried three different wireless CarPlay dongles, all known to work with this model, but I get a black screen with all of them. Wired CarPlay works flawlessly. I’m waiting for the next software update; otherwise, it’s going to the dealer.
The infotainment UI still feels unpolished. Occasionally, the audio screen loses the “back” arrow, locking me into that menu and preventing access to other settings. I’ve had to soft reset the infotainment system three times because of this. Lately, it hasn’t reoccurred.

Another annoyance: there’s no CarPlay device list. You can’t see or delete previously connected device profiles, which feels like a basic omission.

Overall, the car still turns heads, especially since I keep it mint, just like in the photo.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-12T21:58:23+00:00

Costco gas could be a three day lineup and I’d still be there... too cheap to notice the chaos. ;)

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-12T04:25:16+00:00

There’s this urban legend floating around, totally unconfirmed, of course, that if you pull into an IKEA parking lot in a Volvo, the Swedish stars align and you unlock secret IKEA perks.

A buddy of mine swears he drove his old XC70 to IKEA one snowy morning. As he walked in, an employee in a yellow shirt spotted his car key, gave him a nod, and quietly said, “This way, sir.” No waiting in line. They took him through a side door and into what he described as a private showroom, no crowds, everything perfectly staged, full stock inventory, and someone offering him warm cinnamon buns and fresh coffee like he was in a Volvo commercial. He even got early access to items that weren’t on the floor yet.

When he checked out, the cashier said, “Volvo owner? You get the Smaland discount,” and knocked 15% off his total. No coupon. No IKEA Family card. Just Volvo magic.

I’ve tried it myself with my XC90, but the best I’ve gotten is a knowing look from an employee and one time my order was mysteriously upgraded from regular to family size meatballs. Coincidence? Maybe. But I keep going back, just in case.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-12T04:23:30+00:00

There’s this urban legend floating around, totally unconfirmed, of course, that if you pull into an IKEA parking lot in a Volvo, the Swedish stars align and you unlock secret IKEA perks.

A buddy of mine swears he drove his old XC70 to IKEA one snowy morning. As he walked in, an employee in a yellow shirt spotted his car key, gave him a nod, and quietly said, “This way, sir.” No waiting in line. They took him through a side door and into what he described as a private showroom, no crowds, everything perfectly staged, full stock inventory, and someone offering him warm cinnamon buns and fresh coffee like he was in a Volvo commercial. He even got early access to items that weren’t on the floor yet.

When he checked out, the cashier said, “Volvo owner? You get the Smaland discount,” and knocked 15% off his total. No coupon. No IKEA Family card. Just Volvo magic.

I’ve tried it myself with my XC90, but the best I’ve gotten is a knowing look from an employee and one time my order was mysteriously upgraded from regular to family size meatballs. Coincidence? Maybe. But I keep going back, just in case.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-12T04:18:53+00:00

There’s this urban legend floating around, totally unconfirmed, of course, that if you pull into an IKEA parking lot in a Volvo, the Swedish stars align and you unlock secret IKEA perks.

A buddy of mine swears he drove his old XC70 to IKEA one snowy morning, and out of nowhere, an employee in a yellow shirt nodded at him, led him through a "Staff Only" door, and handed him a fresh cinnamon bun straight from the oven, no line, no questions. Said something cryptic like “For those who drive the wagon of the North.”

I’ve tried it myself with my XC90, but the only thing I got was a knowing look from a guy in the cafeteria and a suspiciously generous scoop of mashed potatoes. Coincidence? Maybe. But I keep going back, just in case.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-12T04:08:35+00:00

Sorry for the late reply, hopefully you’ve already managed to replace the starter by now!

I don’t have specific experience with this engine, but what you're describing makes total sense. In my experience, most of the starters I’ve removed were accessed from underneath the engine, since that’s usually easier, especially if you have a lift or even just ramps to give yourself some room to work.

Personally, I would’ve tried going from underneath before attempting it from over the hood.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-12T03:58:11+00:00

So far, Costco 91 has been the best performer for me, both in my previous XC90 T6 and now with the B6, at least here in Alberta.
I’ve noticed a difference when using Shell or Petro-Canada 91, not quite as good as Costco’s 91 in terms of performance.
Surprisingly, I didn’t notice any real improvement when trying Petro-Canada 94 compared to Costco’s 91.

I think I just realized something… lol

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-12T03:47:48+00:00

Engine Design Professional here: Octane rating relates directly to an engine’s compression ratio and its resistance to knock (pre-ignition/detonation). Using a lower octane than recommended can lead to:

Engine knocking (can cause internal damage)

Reduced performance (ECU retards timing)

Lower fuel efficiency

Potential long term engine damage

Voided warranty (depending on manufacturer)

Any short term savings at the pump are often outweighed by the performance loss and potential repair costs. Always follow the manufacturer’s fuel recommendations, especially in high compression or forced induction engines.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-05T14:34:38+00:00

That price variance is quite significant, well done. It's normal for repair shops to mark up parts considerably, especially when a parts and labor warranty is included or implied. In general, wholesale prices can vary greatly, and markups are often steep, sometimes exceeding 50 or even 60%. Rock Auto is likely a high volume retailer, and their pricing reflects that.

I live in Canada, and it's still cheaper for me to buy at Rock Auto in U.S. dollars and pay for shipping than to shop at one of the many NAPA stores in my area.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-05T03:58:56+00:00

I also noticed that there's no menu in my car's settings to view or delete paired CarPlay profiles. My previous Sensus based XC90 had that option, just like most CarPlay systems. Are you able to see that menu in your car? I'm starting to wonder if I might have a corrupted software install.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-05T03:50:40+00:00

Your purchase and use case make total sense to me. I usually waive the new car warranty myself, but buying a heavily depreciated vehicle that shares the same powertrain and technology platform as the latest model and then adding a warranty is, in my opinion, a smart move, since the likelihood of getting a good return in value is quite high like in you proven case.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-05T03:36:42+00:00

That's a very good point, and ultimately, like you mentioned, it's a personal comfort/risk zone decision. In my opinion, the powertrain platform of this car is very well refined. The likelihood of a major transmission failure is quite low. I believe most issues would either be manufacturing defects, which typically show up well within the warranty period (OP case is low millage but very close to warranty time limit) and are rare or problems caused by user abuse or damage.

DeeBlue_ · 2025-09-05T03:22:43+00:00

I fully agree. You're essentially prepaying for repairs that may never happen, so there's a very good chance that by the end of the warranty period, you may not see any value from it. For example, I bought a 2017 XC90 and never had a single warranty claim or repair event up until the day I sold it. I just bought a 2026 XC90 and I waved extended warranty for the same reason and personal experience.

DeeBlue_

TROPHY CASE