[elib]

I'd like some opinions here please. I currently have a S70 non-turbo (bought it right out of college, non-turbo was a good deal) and a XC70 (06 w/turbo). I'm want to get a new car, and I'm considering breaking from a life long tradition of Volvo cars (and Ford trucks).

I know many of you will say that the S60R is a nicer car, STi is kids car, etc. One consideration for me is I live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas by Tahoe. We get a few feet of snow at a time that goes away fairly soon, and I do a large percentage of my driving on dirt and gravel roads. The rest is on VERY twisty pavement going up and down the mountains.

My question is how does the S60R do compared to a subaru offroad? Nothing like it? OR does it do fairly well? And I'm not talking full WRC rally action but I do like to boogie down some dirt roads that would make you think your on the Baja 5K

[Silver60R]

I haven't ever boogied down any dirt roads with my S60r, but I would imagine the STI would do a far better job. The Volvo handles like crap going through snow. I have driven my friends beat 96 Subaru Legacy 2.2L through the snow and it was a lot of fun and it handles awesome. So just from my experiences I would think the Subarus handle better offroad.

[Sorcerer]

The S60R has relatively low ground clearance and non-permanent AWD, so might not be the best car for offroading though it does the trick.

Tires make a big difference by the way: real sports tires are meant for normal roads and will perform much less on snow or gravel/dirt, let alone sticky mud etc!

[Kean]

Silver60R, on 15 December 2009 - 02:16 PM, said:

I haven't ever boogied down any dirt roads with my S60r, but I would imagine the STI would do a far better job. The Volvo handles like crap going through snow. I have driven my friends beat 96 Subaru Legacy 2.2L through the snow and it was a lot of fun and it handles awesome. So just from my experiences I would think the Subarus handle better offroad.

I would have to disagree with you saying the Volvo handles like crap in the snow. I live in Montana and my S60r handles better then any 4 wheel drive truck or SUV i have owned. I do however have a very expensive set of winter snow tires on it. I have never driven a subaru in the snow but im sure the subaru has more clearance for thicker snow. I do alot of snowboarding where snow is thick and deep but not unmanageable and my volvo is awesome. Also it drives alot smoother then the go-cart suspension of a subaru

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Sti is a more fun car to drive. S60R will be better "off road" simply b/c of the active chassis settings. If you're flying down a dirt road in the sti, you essentially have 1 suspension setting whereas the R obviously has 3.

[ata2ed]

Kean, on 21 December 2009 - 02:37 AM, said:

I would have to disagree with you saying the Volvo handles like crap in the snow. I live in Montana and my S60r handles better then any 4 wheel drive truck or SUV i have owned. I do however have a very expensive set of winter snow tires on it. I have never driven a subaru in the snow but im sure the subaru has more clearance for thicker snow. I do alot of snowboarding where snow is thick and deep but not unmanageable and my volvo is awesome. Also it drives alot smoother then the go-cart suspension of a subaru

A agree with Kean, I live at the top of a steep hill, this winter I got up on the fist try every time, right after a snow storm. Whilst many other vehicles (about 20 of them including SUVs and 4X4s) were stuck at the bottom for days until the salt truck came.

[BleedsBlue]

Tires make the difference. Make the decision based on the rest of the car, not something you can easily remedy for $500. There is a huge gap between the STi and -R interiors.

[sacrifice]

i cant believe this question is even being asked. hands down sti off road and if you think the R is a half way decent off road competitor, put down the crack pipe. snow and off road are 2 different things. if you want to take a car off road do not get an R.

[Silver60R]

Agree