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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
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Volvo XC-70 ok for Baja?
In my continuing evolution to pick a decent "grocery getter" and "border run" machine, I stumbled on this car.
My goal was enough toughness for Baja highway and dirt roading, yet with the highest mpg.
I started with a Prius...
But then evolved to a VW Passat Wagon AWD. Very cool but I couldn't find the right kind nearby.
So then remembered the Volvo.
Anybody ever own one?
Everybody says they are ultra safe too.
I don't think I've ever heard anything bad about them.
I found a nice one with about 60,000 on it.
They look cool and have excellent cargo capacity.
And plenty of room to sleep in the back occasionally.
[Edited on 5-22-2019 by fishbuck]
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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did you catch this earlier?
the Swede's call it "close to danger" in a Volvo I would agree!
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a10474/el-malarrimo...
I think its an awful idea......jmo of course
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6926
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Hayzues Creesto, just buy a 3 or 4-year-old small Japanese pickup. Buy it new if you have the bucks.
Good luck taking your Volvo that needs some parts to a Mex mechanic.
Don't buy anything that's not sold in Mexico. No parts. Get in a small accident and you're phuked.
[Edited on 5-23-2019 by SFandH]
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chuckie
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6082
Registered: 2-20-2012
Location: Kansas Prairies
Member Is Offline
Mood: Weary
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There are no Mechanics in Baja that speak SVedish......
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9236
Registered: 10-3-2003
Member Is Offline
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That is a dorky looking car.
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
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Ok.
I am beginning to give up.
I should probably just renew my Washington tag. If I can do it from out of state.
Considering my F-350 is showing 9.1 mpg right now, the Volvo was half that or better.
So I went from Prius, to little ford wagon, then AWD VW and Volvo.
I don't need another pick-up. Even a small one. I've had 2 Rangers and would get that.
But I was looking for a little econo wagon. Something I could haul enclosed loads cheaply.
But tomorrow I will try Washington again...
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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John Harper
Super Nomad
Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
Member Is Offline
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Why not get a nice used Toyota 4Runner? They are small, fully enclosed, 4 wheel drive, and all over Baja. Sell your gas hog. Use the money to get
a nice little boat, and tow it with the 4Runner. Simple.
John
[Edited on 5-23-2019 by John Harper]
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6926
Registered: 8-5-2011
Member Is Offline
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4Runners come in 2 wheel drive also. One of the last body on frame mid-sized SUVs. Most are unibody.
[Edited on 5-23-2019 by SFandH]
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JZ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9236
Registered: 10-3-2003
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Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck  | Ok.
I am beginning to give up.
I should probably just renew my Washington tag. If I can do it from out of state.
Considering my F-350 is showing 9.1 mpg right now, the Volvo was half that or better.
So I went from Prius, to little ford wagon, then AWD VW and Volvo.
I don't need another pick-up. Even a small one. I've had 2 Rangers and would get that.
But I was looking for a little econo wagon. Something I could haul enclosed loads cheaply.
But tomorrow I will try Washington again...
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My 3/4 ton Chevy gets 17 mpg on the highway. Trade that old rig in.
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chippy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1697
Registered: 2-2-2010
Member Is Offline
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Volvo = chinese crap
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_Cars
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4410
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, Dodge, GMC c'mon dude get inline with the program
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
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Hilux... I will need to look that up.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64480
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Hilux is what Toyota trucks the size of Tacomas are called, that are sold outside the U.S. and Canada. You see them in Mexico and south. They are
considered tougher than Tacomas and the 4x4 model has a solid front axle instead of I F S.
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caj13
Senior Nomad
Posts: 998
Registered: 8-1-2017
Member Is Offline
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I told you before - look at the suzuki grand vitara sidekick geo tracker linage, get one with a manual trans. they have 4 wd with a locking diff,
cheap run forever, mexican mechanics are familiar with em, easy to get parts, get the 4 door version, plenty of room. you can pick up a good one
for 5-6k. or you can't go wrong with the 4 runner, hilux lineage either
Not sure why you keep veering off into the "exotics"?
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daveB
Nomad
Posts: 244
Registered: 11-6-2003
Location: B.C. Canada
Member Is Offline
Mood: wondering about Nomads!
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For an automaker that runs it's company on the boottails of
Sweden's historically magestic Volvo, modern day Volvo may look good, have the same price points as the older, rather expensive Volvo used to have,
the company has been owned by Chinese for the past seven years and will not admit it. Why would you need one.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6321
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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Hey, Buck...get yourself a mail box in South Dakota. Over 3/4 of all US vehicles living in Baja are registered in SD. The small hassle-free fees for
registering in a great reason. Also, no smogs.
You can get the best information @ www.americas-mailbox.com
They will even help with the registrations and getting a SD driver's lic.
If it is any indication to you, regarding vehicles here in Baja, we have a 2018 TESLA model X, Toyota FJ Cruiser and a 2018 RZR XP4 1000 Turbo which
we use for heavy duty off-road trips.
| Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck | Ok.
I am beginning to give up.
I should probably just renew my Washington tag. If I can do it from out of state.
Considering my F-350 is showing 9.1 mpg right now, the Volvo was half that or better.
So I went from Prius, to little ford wagon, then AWD VW and Volvo.
I don't need another pick-up. Even a small one. I've had 2 Rangers and would get that.
But I was looking for a little econo wagon. Something I could haul enclosed loads cheaply.
But tomorrow I will try Washington again...
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Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3455
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by daveB | For an automaker that runs it's company on the boottails of
Sweden's historically magestic Volvo, modern day Volvo may look good, have the same price points as the older, rather expensive Volvo used to have,
the company has been owned by Chinese for the past seven years and will not admit it. Why would you need one. |
V40, S60 and the new XC60 made in Sweden. Models/parts also made in China and SC.
First car was a '66 Volvo PV544. Currently looking at the XC40.
Chinese ownership has been public for 9 years. Not a problem.
For Baja, I'm amazed at the number of Mercedes-Benz I see on the autobahn between La Paz and Cabo. (M-B has plants in 22 countries including
Mexico. Hecho en Mexico no problemo.)
For long term usage down South, a vehicle that can be easily repaired in Baja makes sense. For a vehicle used for vacation in Baja, but
maintained NOB, almost doesn't matter.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by Udo | Hey, Buck...get yourself a mail box in South Dakota. Over 3/4 of all US vehicles living in Baja are registered in SD. The small hassle-free fees for
registering in a great reason. Also, no smogs.
You can get the best information @ www.americas-mailbox.com
They will even help with the registrations and getting a SD driver's lic.
If it is any indication to you, regarding vehicles here in Baja, we have a 2018 TESLA model X, Toyota FJ Cruiser and a 2018 RZR XP4 1000 Turbo which
we use for heavy duty off-road trips.
| Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck | Ok.
I am beginning to give up.
I should probably just renew my Washington tag. If I can do it from out of state.
Considering my F-350 is showing 9.1 mpg right now, the Volvo was half that or better.
So I went from Prius, to little ford wagon, then AWD VW and Volvo.
I don't need another pick-up. Even a small one. I've had 2 Rangers and would get that.
But I was looking for a little econo wagon. Something I could haul enclosed loads cheaply.
But tomorrow I will try Washington again...
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I called them. I will need to travel to South Dakota to get a Driver's license before I can register a vehicle.
It's not cheap and you have to fly into like Chicago or Minneapolis and drive there.
Maybe later.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3455
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck |
I called them. I will need to travel to South Dakota to get a Driver's license before I can register a vehicle. |
Almost correct. You don't need a DL to register a vehicle in SD. Registration can be done by phone and mail.
You do have to show up to get a DL, though.
Clay County Courthouse, Vermillion, SD (605) 677-6485. Call this number (to register) for help/info.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 640
Registered: 4-4-2006
Member Is Offline
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I bought a 2013 Jetta sportwagen TDI with the six speed regular standard transmission not the paddle shifter. Being a diesel it get great MPGS close
to 40 on the fwy and mid to high 30's in mixed driving. The fuel has to be ultra lo sulfur and free of ANY water. It is just regular FWD and will do
if you are not driving in areas where 4wd is needed. Most parts are easy to find but I should imagine the engine parts may have to be ordered. The VW
jetta while small , can handle the baja roads. I drove a 2000 and 2003 4 dr sedan several times to cabo and BOLA once going off an unexpected 4 inch
total pavement drop offs with no damage to the front end. Have also been on dirt roads. I would recommend the installation of a aluminum belly pan to
protect the cast aluminum oil pan which if cracked is a total show stopper. the stock belly pan is plastic.
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