1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Thanks for the welcome! Returned on Thursday from the trip. That "other car" performed very well -- the XC is a decent highway cruiser.
The good:
- Comfortable seats (not as good as the Aero) -- but didn't experience fatigue after a 13 hour leg. Impressive.
- The trip to Florida was not fun. Black ice throughout Virginia and into North Carolina on 95. Wrecks everywhere -- mostly SUVs naturally. Felt horrible for those involved -- just before the holidays. I was glad to be in an AWD vehicle frankly. The XC has the stability control (an option) and I believe that helped quite a bit as we were simply driving on ice. The car performed nicely, although I credit driving skills mostly -- lots of distance between vehicles and slow going. It was a nerve-wracking experience. The Aero would have handled it well too, but with its snow shoes on. The Volvo just feels safe and substantive.
- Lots of capacity -- we had the "coffin" on the top -- Volvo's roof box, which I believe Thule makes. Somehow, though, it's roomier in the Aero overall.
The bad:
- Averaged about 23 mpg. Not great, although we were driving between 70-80 mph most of the time. The engine was up to the challenge, but it's loud under throttle and slightly weak in terms of responsiveness. Definitely missed the HOT.
- Cracked the windshield via a direct hit with a stone (glad it wasn't the Aero!).
All-in-all, a good trip. The XC is a decent performer, but as you said, good on the highway, but when the twisties come, there's no comparison between the Volvo and Saab.
Happy New Year to you and the twin (now officially 3 years old!).
PS - Still no snow shoes on the Aero -- it was 69 degrees today in DC! They'll go on shortly -- I'm really hedging now!
posted by 209.8.99...
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |