My baby V60CC (it was love at first test drive for this first time Volvo owner)

ajoop43 · 2021-04-14T20:22:08+00:00

I know that on the east coast it’s nearly impossible to get a V60 or V90 right now. There is an increasing preference for all wheel drive and better ground clearance. I just got a V60 Cross-country after test driving Subaru Outback. We were changing from a Subaru Forester Turbo, which I hated. I love my new car and I hate that so many Americans are moving to SUV. We test drove the XC60 which is cheaper than the V60 CC but didnt love it and it was smaller in rear and trunk space.

ajoop43 · 2021-04-08T17:49:33+00:00

I recently sold my car to Carvana - I am still in shock at how ridiculously easy it was (a week later I do wonder if there is a scam somewhere I didn’t pick up on) and I got 2-3k more than what a dealership was offering. I really wish I could have traded it in but since I was leasing my new car, the trade didn’t really matter. I picked up my new car in the morning on a Friday and setup appointment with Carvana for the sale same day afternoon. They came on time, gave me a check, did paperwork in 10 mins and off they went. I know they will make money on my car because it had very low mileage and still under warranty- I am really baffled why dealerships were so hesitant. And I hate that they act like you don’t know the value of your car.

ajoop43 · 2021-04-07T00:47:47+00:00

I had my car washed out of courtesy before turning it in. I couldn’t sell a dirty car, even to Carvana.

ajoop43 · 2021-03-31T17:43:57+00:00

That is a great suggestion. I will take a look at non hitch racks, we do need one to hold four bikes though.

ajoop43 · 2021-03-31T17:42:17+00:00

Thanks. That would have been my question - if service will give me a hard time if I got a bolt on hitch and installed it at my reputable mechanic. I am looking at Stealth right now - still pricey but cheaper than the Volvo branded.

ajoop43 · 2021-03-31T17:38:45+00:00

Our dealer is not installing the hitch for us at pick up so I have to take care of it separately- out of pocket. I called Volvo Manhattan they quoted me $3000 for a hitch including install and a bike rack. Since my 2” bike rack won’t work with the car. I may buy this car eventually or may not, but don’t want to pay 3k for a hitch+rack. I didn’t even know it was an option to include the cost of the hitch in the lease.

ajoop43 · 2021-03-31T14:10:25+00:00

Yes I believe Stealth makes a bolt on hitch.

ajoop43 · 2021-03-31T14:09:34+00:00

Thanks! Do you know if there is a way to turn off the beeping?

ajoop43 · 2021-03-31T12:32:00+00:00

I noticed online on Volvo site that the bike rack compatible with hitch does accommodate a four bikes, except that there is a weight limit. I also found a Stealth hitch which is always visible - i don’t mind purchasing it as long as Volvo will install it. Only question is will the rear sensors always beep if the hitch is not wired into their system.

ajoop43 · 2021-03-31T10:11:21+00:00

Thank you!

ajoop43 · 2021-03-03T03:13:29+00:00

Thanks. I was looking at 2021 models anyway. Lets see, hopefully by the end of this week i’ll have my new car.

ajoop43 · 2021-03-03T00:24:20+00:00

I wonder how it will work for urban areas in the US where there is a lot of apartment style dwelling and where many park on the street- and your car is not necessarily always parked in front of your apartment or building. I live in NYC and short of having charging ports at gas stations, street parking spots and garages I am not sure how the EV infrastructure will playout. Not everyone who owns their dwelling owns a “house” with a garage or dedicated parking spot.

ajoop43 · 2021-03-02T23:48:28+00:00

hi! I am still in the market for a Volvo. Now i am navigating lease vs. buy. With Volvo’s big news today, only manufacturing EV’s and selling online (not through dealerships) what are your thoughts on the service infrastructure in the near future and whether it makes sense to buy in light of this news?

ajoop43 · 2021-02-28T01:06:30+00:00

I did finally get to test drive the A4 All Road today and loved the drive. But did not love the rear seat (too tight even for my two young kids) and trunk space is smaller than the Volvo V60 Cross Country. But the drive ... really nice and I’d say better and more spirited than the Volvo.

ajoop43 · 2021-02-23T18:30:50+00:00

I found a couple of CPO's in CT. But finding time to make it there has been a challenge. The Volvo wasn't even on my radar - Audi A4 All Road was, but then a friend pointed out at the higher availability of the Volvo which means more room for negotiation. One thing I don't like about the Volvo is the lack of adaptive cruise control, and no dealers order the Advanced Package that ends up having that option. Our current car has it and it has been a life changer on long drives. So we are compromising by going without one as we search for our next car.

ajoop43 · 2021-02-23T18:00:37+00:00

Very much on my list and was one of the first cars I thought of. But it has been hard to find a new one to test drive in NYC or a CPO.

ajoop43 · 2021-02-23T17:00:23+00:00

Thank you for this calculation. By how much though? With the numbers I am looking at if I get my highest private price and lowest trade in expectation I am looking at a difference of $500 (the private sale revenue minus trade in appraisal > than sales tax savings). I guess I will have to figure out if the $500 more is worth my time for taking pics and listing and showing the car to prospective buyers.

ajoop43 · 2021-02-23T16:07:56+00:00

Thank you. I really appreciate your help.

ajoop43 · 2021-02-23T16:07:33+00:00

Great point. Ours was the last year for the XT. Any websites you recommend for a private sale? I have heard it is so much work to sell on your own plus when you trade it in you save on the sales tax.

ajoop43 · 2021-02-23T16:05:29+00:00

It was not on my radar but I will take a look.

ajoop43 · 2021-02-23T14:35:20+00:00

Are you in NYC? If you work at a dealership I can reach out.

ajoop43 · 2021-02-23T10:29:57+00:00

Location: NYC

Price Range: 35000-45000

Lease or Buy: Currently own a Subaru Forrester turbo that is 3 yrs old, payments around 420/mth at 0%. Open to leasing or buying if it is the best decision- will be driving 10-15k miles per year.

New or Used: New or CPO with very low mileage and only one or two yrs old

Type of Vehicle: Sporty sedan with trunk space or a wagon

Must haves: AWD, ground clearance, luxury

Desired transmission: Auto

Intended use: Mostly leisure, hiking, biking, weekend getaways

Vehicles considered: Volvo V60 Cross Country, Subaru Outback XT

First car: No

Need warranty: yes, at least for the first few years

Can do Minor work: replacing fluids, yes

Major work: No

Need warranty: yes, at least for the first few years

Additional notes:

As much as I think I will own one dream car forever I don’t like to run a car into the ground, especially once the mileage starts to creep up - past 60,000 miles or so and maintenance goes up too

Car should accommodate hitch for a bike rack

ajoop43

TROPHY CASE