I gotta give it to Volvo on this one. The car handles a little off to me, but still nice none the less. It was weird driving a car with a turbo like thiers. The turbo spools pretty quickly, and once there, it pulls pretty nice. It's not nice like overall lateral acceleration of the STi, but pretty nice though.

The S60R though is pretty nice.

I drove a Boxster today too. The Non Turbo one, pretty nice, just not comfortable. The feel of the car is really plasticy and not real feeling in the steering.

Overall, neither will drag me away from BMW's, but they are nice none the less.

I drove a Boxster today too. The Non Turbo one, pretty nice, just not comfortable. The feel of the car is really plasticy and not real feeling in the steering.
No such thing as a turbo Boxster. Plastic-y and numb steering? You sure it wasn't a Toyota MR-S that you drove? ;)

-Paul

No such thing as a turbo Boxster.

He probably meant the 'S' version :)

my friend had an s60r. it was an awesome car. very fast in the straight line and the active suspension and pop-up navigation was awesome.

I got my rear-end hadnded to me the first week I had my M3 by a S60R. We were side by side up untill half way through 3rd when he just bolted off. I stopped counting the CL's after I got to 10 :D

Sorry, I mis spoke...Boxter S indeed. The S60R is no joke. If it weren't a Volvo, I'd want one SO bad :)

I got my rear-end hadnded to me the first week I had my M3 by a S60R. We were side by side up untill half way through 3rd when he just bolted off. I stopped counting the CL's after I got to 10 :D
Don't tell me this... my friend just bought one and I"m dreading his challenge... :(

I had an 04 S60R for half the day last week that my lawyer borrowed me.
Sadly I am not a badge queen so if I like the car if it's a Volvo, Honda, Ferrari etc, I like it.

Honestly, the top end of the car is impressive, a little heavy but a very comfortable car, nice big brembo brakes and a sweet AWD system.
They do handle very well and seem to have some great reviews.
They do take time to spool, an STi to me feels almost NA, felt strong from the start, where the Volvo just takes a deep breath and you start to feel gobs of powerafter 3500 rpm, personally I like that feel more.

Are they worth $40k+ I'll leave that up to some of you.

Go to a Volvo dealer and try one out, I actually enjoyed it.

I almost bought an S60R before ending up with my 5. My feelings on the car, after much research and several drives:

Turning Circle = CRAP
May not be something you normally think about in a sporty car, but just TRY parking it...

Interior = Great
I loved the interior of that car, the seats especially.

Handling = Great
Best way to describe it is surefooted. My 5 feels MUCH more balanced. Car PLOWS through tight turns.

Steering = Numb
FWD Flaw, not much to be done about it.

4C Suspension = Cool idea, Bad implementation
The Suspension itslef was a good idea, but has some major flaws. MAJOR sidestep for some cars, but this is not so much due to the 4C as the rear geometry. The AWD rear geometry is susceptible to this. It doesn't feel good...

Price = Fair
BUT, you can get a used one for $20k cheaper (used go for low to high 20's, even with low mileage).

Transmissions = Almost a Honda box
The 6-Speed is sweet box, very light, yet positive. Almost as good as a Honda box is. Stay away from the 5-Speed auto, as it has less power (restricted due to tranny torque limitations). The 6-Speed auto (new for 2006) is actually supposed to be faster than the manual, and has an unrestricted engine.

AWD = Nice
Handles power transfer nicely, but it is a FWD biased setup. The 2006's preload 50lb-ft or so of torque to the rear wheels, so it is full-time AWD now. Previous years were 0lb-ft to the rear under normal conditions. Also, maximum transmitted power is 50% to the rear.

Summary: A fun car, but more of a highway bomber than a corner carver. Great for distance cruising, very moddable. Svenske Tuning is doing great things with the cars. It's available as a wagon, which is just plain cool (I'm a touring nut, sorry). AWD is always a plus, but it retains many of it's FWD handling aspects. The rear suspension is a little wonky, but is only noticeable on broken pavement and corrugated surfaces.

Verdict: A great buy used, up to you if it's worth it new.

Sorry, I mis spoke...Boxter S indeed. The S60R is no joke. If it weren't a Volvo, I'd want one SO bad :)

there is nothing wrong with volvo!!! i want one...

If you live whee there are winters it's a great car. I'd own one for sure. True about the resale, they can be had used very cheap. I'd get used for sure.

I almost bought an S60R before ending up with my 5. My feelings on the car, after much research and several drives:
Turning Circle = CRAP
May not be something you normally think about in a sporty car, but just TRY parking it...
Interior = Great
I loved the interior of that car, the seats especially.
Handling = Great
Best way to describe it is surefooted. My 5 feels MUCH more balanced. Car PLOWS through tight turns.
Steering = Numb
FWD Flaw, not much to be done about it.
4C Suspension = Cool idea, Bad implementation
The Suspension itslef was a good idea, but has some major flaws. MAJOR sidestep for some cars, but this is not so much due to the 4C as the rear geometry. The AWD rear geometry is susceptible to this. It doesn't feel good...
Price = Fair
BUT, you can get a used one for $20k cheaper (used go for low to high 20's, even with low mileage).
Transmissions = Almost a Honda box
The 6-Speed is sweet box, very light, yet positive. Almost as good as a Honda box is. Stay away from the 5-Speed auto, as it has less power (restricted due to tranny torque limitations). The 6-Speed auto (new for 2006) is actually supposed to be faster than the manual, and has an unrestricted engine.
AWD = Nice
Handles power transfer nicely, but it is a FWD biased setup. The 2006's preload 50lb-ft or so of torque to the rear wheels, so it is full-time AWD now. Previous years were 0lb-ft to the rear under normal conditions. Also, maximum transmitted power is 50% to the rear.
Summary: A fun car, but more of a highway bomber than a corner carver. Great for distance cruising, very moddable. Svenske Tuning is doing great things with the cars. It's available as a wagon, which is just plain cool (I'm a touring nut, sorry). AWD is always a plus, but it retains many of it's FWD handling aspects. The rear suspension is a little wonky, but is only noticeable on broken pavement and corrugated surfaces.
Verdict: A great buy used, up to you if it's worth it new.


sounds right on....i used to sell them new when the came out, sweet interior, cool color options, very supple leather, nice blue tinted dials ala rolex.

overpriced new, awesome buy on the used car market. the 04 s4 and s60r make alot of people, price conscious buyers atleast, give second thoughts to 01 02 m3's that go for similar money.

i owned 2001 boxster s and it was a very very nice car, the s60r is nice too but with some options it ends up at $45k+ for a VOLVO ???? alittle too much.

I have always liked them. Can't wait to drive one someday.

sounds right on....i used to sell them new when the came out, sweet interior, cool color options, very supple leather, nice blue tinted dials ala rolex.

overpriced new, awesome buy on the used car market. the 04 s4 and s60r make alot of people, price conscious buyers atleast, give second thoughts to 01 02 m3's that go for similar money.


A friend of mine bought an 05 w/ 11,000 miles for 31k, and it was without a doubt a much better buy than similarly price new g35's,tl's etc. Damn fun car, you can't do much better for the money.

Not sure why there's people cracking on the Boxster, it's a seriously capable car even with the 2.7.

Steering is hugely communicative along with being quick and tight, ride isn't punishing but taut and handling is incredibly neutral thanks to engine placement...No drama. Had a chance to ride in a buddy's 986S at CMP and was really impressed with how simple it appeared to be to drive at the limit, with oversteer only being present when being self inflicted.

In a lot of respects, I'd have one over an e36 M3.

If I end up moving somewhere where it snows I'm getting an S60R. Plus the sound really good with exhaust:buttrock