Saturday, July 28, 2007

The New Family Truckster


Its Boxy but Safe.




The thought that goes through everyone's head when hear the word "Volvo". That works for me when it comes to the transportation of my wife and child. Thats right, I bought a Volvo. But not just any Volvo, The XC90, the Volvo SUV. The mandatory purchase as soon as everyone finds out they are having a kid............time to pick up our generation's version of the station wagon.




Its funny how things come full circle in life. I remember being a kid and my parents having a red volvo sedan. You couldnt mistake the red safety box as it rolled up to a light. Stylin and Profilin it was not. Some things have changed though, Volvo's have become stylish, elegant cars, that are still one of the safest on the road. Im not going to bore you with all the details of our weeks of car shopping that culminated in a frenetic weekend of straight 72 hours of test driving, haggling, internet research and shopping, and stocking cars with what we think we are going to haul around from each of our daughter's playdates. Seriously, we really did spend about 2 hours in our parents driveway stuffing car seats, strollers, and various baby items in a Volvo S80 sedan we were considering. Instead, Im going to give you the first "New Dad" product review.


2008 Volvo XC90

Looks: In a world full of crossover SUVs that look like glorified minivans or futuristic space bubbles, the XC90 still looks like real SUV. It also has elegant lines and strikes you like an elegant vehicle. I give the looks an 'A'


Ride: You sit very high so you get a commanding view of the road and it drives very smooth. It has very little lean when you take curves and while Im not going to be racing an Porches, it has enough pickup for Traci to beat out the other mom for the primo parking spot at Publix. Ha Ha, another win for Team Wilensky. Plus, you get the bonus of changing lanes when you want because other cars will slow down due to the size of the XC90. Unless we are trying to edge out an Hummer or a big ass Ford F 150. I give the Ride a 'B'. Almost a 'B+'


Interior: The inside is HUGE! We opted against the third row of seats so we can fit a Honda Accord in our trunk. We will have no problems taking around Little Miss B Dub's gear (strollers, Pack N Play, Diaper Bags, 20 suitcases, Golf Clubs, Traci's entire shoe collection, spare crib, etc.). I think you get the point on the size of the cargo area. The Leather seats are extremely comfortable and there is plenty of legroom for the seats. My only complaint would be the stereo. The sound is average. There is a huge 'cool' factor with the navigation system. It pops up out of the top of the dashboard and there is a remote control or steering wheel controls. It also has an aux input to plug in an ipod or satellite radio. I give the interior a 'B+'


Fuel Economy: There is a price to size, utility, safety, and luxury................the environment. Not so good. It gets 15mpg in the city and 21mpg on the highway. Its not horrible but its close. I will have to ride a bike to work for two days a week to make up for the gas drinking problem the XC90 has. Fuel Economy gets a 'D'


Safety: Its a Volvo. Nuff said. The only thing that would worry me would be a Tank or an Intercontinental Ballistic Missle. Otherwise, I feel this is one of the safest autos that could transport the most valued people in my life, my wife and daughter. I give safety an 'A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++'



Overall, I really like this SUV. I would reccomend it to anyone making the "Im having a child and I must get the obligatory SUV" purchase. Especially now, Volvo is offering ridiculous deals. Time to go get in the SUV and head to the grocery store for milk, the other car is just not big enough for the carton of milk. Make fun all you want, because my family may be in the boxy mobile but they will be safe.




Summer Break


I have taken a little summer hiatus from blogging but Im coming back fast and furious. We are 22 weeks now. Over half way there. Keep your eyes on this page at least every other day for more fun antics about becoming a dad.