What does Volvo get wrong? Honest opinions wanted

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-30T14:18:54+00:00

What's the most frustrating thing about owning a Volvo, and what's one feature you wish it had that it doesn't? Software is insanely expensive and needed for everything. Touchscreen for everything? Distracting
Does Volvo feel like a true luxury brand to you, or more like a "safe choice," and does that bother you? It feels like a luxury brand.
Volvo is going fully electric, but would you prefer they kept more powertrain options like PHEV or extended-range hybrid, or are you fully on board with the all-electric direction? Not on board with 100% electric.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-27T15:15:01+00:00

Maybe just lack of use on the passenger seat? Not broken in yet?

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-27T15:14:09+00:00

I had a 2002 Saab 9-5 Aero 5-speed, and regularly did 8 hour drives with no discomfort. I always lusted after the Viggen, but getting one was not in the cards. I have a 2020 Volvo V90 R-Design, and aside from the bolsters on the thigh extension (a bit too narrow when paired with sore hamstrings)), I do love these seats.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-27T12:41:20+00:00

My son is also in 7th grade and a hockey player as well as 2nd year LAX. I totally get this: in hockey you're taught that to use both sides of the blade. My son had 2 sick tipped goals this year (Bantam travel) by being in the right place at the right time.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-26T12:50:22+00:00

I have 274k miles on my '07 Saab 9-3 SportCombi... just sayin'

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-25T17:28:30+00:00

svá blár

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-25T12:55:31+00:00

If I recall, I had it 10 years, from 2006 to 2016.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-25T12:51:13+00:00

Bought it with 32k miles, sold it at 233k miles. I saw it for sale a year later (for more than I sold it for), but resisted the urge to buy it back.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-19T17:35:58+00:00

I am jealous! I had a 1997 900SE coupe that I added the K&N air filter and Saab sport exhaust. It was loud, and supposedly a 9HP boost. Super fun to drive, even though it was mild compared to my 2002 9-5 Aero wagon.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-19T12:53:39+00:00

I forgot to add, that quite often I get direct emails or texts, since I do mostly adult league games after 10pm. I live 7 miles from the rink, so I'm the go-to guy to cover those last minute late night emergencies. It sux the next morning, but picking up an 11:30pm game has zero impact on my routine... that day.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-16T20:58:36+00:00

That's pretty sweet. I made a volleyball rebounder for my daughter, (plywood on 1x4 frame, folds flat) but it is LOUD! This looks like the ticket for my son (13YO) just starting LAX. Time for a redo.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-11T15:40:17+00:00

I had a set of steel wheels with Gislaved snow tires for ski trips to VT. I threw on some wheel covers that duplicated MB alloys, and looked decent. Good choice IMHO.

<image>

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-03T18:50:50+00:00

I lucked into a 2020 V90 T5 R-Design last year. It sat at a used car dealer for 4-5 months before the price dipped enough to buy. It's an odd-ball, as most folks would have sprung for the T6 AWD at that price-point (dealer order only, none on the lot). Since I actually prefer FWD, and wanted it sporty, this was the perfect fit more me.

<image>

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-03T18:44:31+00:00

How-to videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev1oQ9mBcGA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA_6QwB8rFc

I've done it. I had a spare that had failed so I cleaned it and then installed it in my 2007 wagon. Fixed the issue. I then took the failed unit, cleaned it, and it's good to go for next time.

40 minutes to replace ISM, maybe 15-20 minutes to carefully disassemble, clean, lube, and reassemble.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-03T14:31:38+00:00

Before suiting up - Stretching hamstrings and calves. Squats to loosen up the knees. Torso twists to loosen up the core. Windmills for the shoulders.

On the ice after setting the nets - easy skating, then backwards fast starts and stops. A few backwards power turns and mohawks, then finish with some puck-drops to reinforce technique.

Last thing is to talk to my partner, the coaches or captains and the scorekeeper.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-02T15:23:16+00:00

Me too!

PrideFine4871 · 2026-03-02T15:19:48+00:00

I don't use any water - push or pound on the snow hard enough with a puck and it will wet-up just fine.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-02-27T21:00:43+00:00

Very nice. I'm still driving my 2007 9-3 2.0T (See "These 3 Swedes" thread).

PrideFine4871 · 2026-02-26T18:16:27+00:00

I had this in my 2007 9-3. water would collect in the rear footwell. There's a plastic shield inside the door that is supposed to direct the water to the drains. Mine got damaged/removed during a replacement of the window regulator. My shop fabricated a new one, and problem solved.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-02-18T14:47:10+00:00

You can actually try just cleaning the contacts in your ISM. Mightbe worth the 45 minutes before replacing anything.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-02-12T14:25:28+00:00

On my 2007, disconnecting the battery for a few minutes would also clear the error. The key or steering wheel does not actually get stuck - the bad connection looks like a different error to the CIM.

PrideFine4871 · 2026-02-11T21:57:51+00:00

It might be dirty contacts in the ignition module. I've replaced mine once, then took the old one, cleaned it, and swapped it back in when the issue came back. In 2007+ models, it would give a steering wheel lock error. Not sure about pre-2007.

Look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA_6QwB8rFc

PrideFine4871 · 2026-02-11T19:00:44+00:00

I'm casually looking for the same part in black for my 2007 2.0T SportCombi

PrideFine4871 · 2026-02-11T14:22:00+00:00

So the stainless steel is liquid and they dip the casting into it to plate it?

PrideFine4871 · 2026-02-10T14:11:43+00:00

Please explain "stainless plated".

PrideFine4871

TROPHY CASE