I’m kind of a rube. About a lot of things, but for sure when it comes to vehicles. So’s my husband.
I had my BMW for 12 years and it wasn’t even fully loaded with bells and whistles. So when we got our most recent new car, a 2014 Outback, we thought the back up camera and braking assist were big deals.
Really, we are both just kids from a small, rust belt city in western New York. And although we have traveled in tall cotton since we left, we still retain a certain sense of wonder and of course, a sense of the ridiculous. But that sense of wonder—-to still have it in our 60s? It’s everything.
So, about my husband.
He’s miserly with himself. I don’t have that problem, as I’m not at all miserly with myself. Nor is he miserly with me. But for himself? He doesn’t indulge himself. Especially in buying a new car.
As he began to approach that big year that used to delineate”elderly,” but maybe doesn’t any more, he decided to treat himself to a new vehicle. A vehicle that he really likes. One that he really wants.
No, not a black Corvette. Or a Porsche.
He’s treated himself to a brand new black Volvo XC-90 R.
He announced his intention, no, his DESIRE, while I was away in Montana, so I looked it up online.
Here’s what I read:
“The rear cooling compartment holds two 750ml bottles of your preferred beverage and two handcrafted Swedish Orrefors™ crystal glasses.”
What? a refrigerator in the back seat of an SUV? I read further:
“The interior has been meticulously crafted to provide an atmosphere of tranquility and luxurious seclusion for you and your guests.”
Our GUESTS? Will we be entertaining in the back seat? I’m pretty sure my husband hasn’t done that since college. I DO remember a drive-in movie, once…. but I digress.
A refrigerator in a car? Crystal glasses? What was he thinking?
So I called him:
“Honey, have you been hitting the meth pipe?” I asked.
“What do you mean?” he asked. I explained.
“I didn’t see any refrigerator in the back seat,” he said. “Let me look online.”
As it turns out, that feature is only available in the super-duper, high-end, special-order version of this humungous and safe SUV.
I was a bit disappointed, because I could envision a blog post. But see, I wrote it anyway. And saved the $105,000 bill.
But, now, just a few days later, we have our new vehicle.
Our new fob.
Remember, I’ve never even had a keyless ignition. So you can imagine my wide eyes when our new car found a parking space and then parallel parked itself without me having to do a single thing. Not even touch the steering wheel. There’s a really robust brake assist that will brake for us in a bunch of different scenarios, if we don’t respond quickly enough. And since we could soon be in our dotage, that’s a good thing.
I was delighted when I got the password for the vehicle’s 3G wifi. If internet fails at home, I can just go out to the garage. I named the network Darth Vader.
And this: if I’m carrying a bunch of bags I can run my foot under the trunk side of the car and the trunk opens for me.
Mission control.
How about the 360 degree view camera? Very cool. Or the huge touchscreen for all sorts of controls and that allows me to search for and look up anything I want to know about operating the car?
Not to mention the steel cage it’s encased in and all of the super-duper safety features I could ever want. Or that we can set the ride any way we want and the SUV raises and lowers itself like an East San Jose teenager’s car. I can even be a low rider, if I like. Of course, it lowers itself when you turn it off so that you can get in and out more easily.
Speed limit and road sign info projected onto lower part of windshield.
In an emergency, I just need to hit SOS. If I’m in a crash or the vehicle stalls out or there’s a theft alert, the system automatically calls for help. And if I need roadside assistance I hit the On Call button. Which is like OnStar.
It’s a brave new world as far as cars are concerned and we rubes are only now learning about that. I have to admit I’m a little intimidated by a vehicle that has so many special features it takes a 30-minute briefing and an offer to come to your home for an “encore” if you need further help.
Still, I’m thrilled that my husband has stepped up and gotten something he really wants. He’s worked hard all his life–he deserves it.
Here it is!
And, as I’ve said all week, if Trump gets elected the vehicle’s spacious enough for all three of us to live in.
Who knows, it could happen. He says it won’t but I say “I wouldn’t bet my life that it won’t.”
It’s beautiful! I am blessed with a husband that sells cars and he always makes sure I have the best gadgets. I don’t get as excited as he does about most of thembut I do love the keyless entry and the parking assist.
Congratulations!
that car is beautiful! Darth Vader eat your heart out! I have car envy now (to go with my diamond envy, oh and my sense of self-worth envy…..the list is getting longer!) Congrats on such a lovely purchase and I truly hope you don’t have to live in it 🙂
I didn’t even know there was such a thing as brake assist. My husband gets a new company car every 3 years and we always buy the old one really cheap. No bells and whistles. My friend has a lovely BMW SUV that she had to go to training classes for – just to learn all the features! Your new ride sounds marvelous!
Looks great and I love a new car! These days there are so many bells and whistles I don’t use half of them!! I need a degree to drive some of the latest models. I do like the self-parking idea. If I had that I wouldn’t have to park so far from the mall entrance where there are less cars to bump into to – parking is not my forte. Enjoy!
Hey Carol. This review of the Volvo is much better than most car reviews that bloggers get paid/compensated with a vehicle to do. I actually read it cuz it didnt fell all reviewy (not a word I know). Enjoying that your husband is letting go and pampering a little. Did he remember to put a little blue bag for you in your seat?
Wow, that sounds like an amazing ride! My husband and I love our vehicles (we actually have “work” trucks and share a nicer truck for “special” occasions). I love that you saved up and bought exactly what you wanted, almost like a “treat yourself” moment!
Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.
I love comments, so if something resonates with you in any way, don’t hesitate to leave a comment on my blog. Thank you for stopping by–oh, and why not subscribe so you don’t miss a single post?
I’m kind of a rube. About a lot of things, but for sure when it comes to vehicles. So’s my husband.
What an absolutely beautiful car! Enjoy!
It’s beautiful! I am blessed with a husband that sells cars and he always makes sure I have the best gadgets. I don’t get as excited as he does about most of thembut I do love the keyless entry and the parking assist.
Congratulations!
I’ve owned two Volvo’s and loved them, the hubs did good :).
Glad to hear it! This is his 2nd Volvo and surely the most elaborate.
He corrected me. His fourth.
that car is beautiful! Darth Vader eat your heart out! I have car envy now (to go with my diamond envy, oh and my sense of self-worth envy…..the list is getting longer!) Congrats on such a lovely purchase and I truly hope you don’t have to live in it 🙂
But if I do, it’s super comfy!
I love the new car. It sounds perfect.
Happy travels with your husband!
Thanks, sugar!
Beautiful! I mentioned a Volvo for my next vehicle to Randy just the other day.
Michael has had 4 and loves them.
Beautiful looking ride. More bells and whistles then I would know what to do with.
I didn’t even know there was such a thing as brake assist. My husband gets a new company car every 3 years and we always buy the old one really cheap. No bells and whistles. My friend has a lovely BMW SUV that she had to go to training classes for – just to learn all the features! Your new ride sounds marvelous!
Looks like a mighty cool car! My youngest sons are trying to persuade my husband to buy an old cadillac – just because! ????
That is a beauty without question! The WiFi is awesome (and so is your name for the network). like the safety measures it has if you need help too.
Looks great and I love a new car! These days there are so many bells and whistles I don’t use half of them!! I need a degree to drive some of the latest models. I do like the self-parking idea. If I had that I wouldn’t have to park so far from the mall entrance where there are less cars to bump into to – parking is not my forte. Enjoy!
I am VERY impressed by all this car can do. Wow!
That sounds like an amazing car! Love that you can open the trunk without using your hands!
Nice car! Like you said, it sure isn’t like it used to be.
I’m a BMW fan, but love the bells and whistles this car has, too! Enjoy!
Hey Carol. This review of the Volvo is much better than most car reviews that bloggers get paid/compensated with a vehicle to do. I actually read it cuz it didnt fell all reviewy (not a word I know). Enjoying that your husband is letting go and pampering a little. Did he remember to put a little blue bag for you in your seat?
My husband makes all my dreams come true every day! LOL
Wow, that sounds like an amazing ride! My husband and I love our vehicles (we actually have “work” trucks and share a nicer truck for “special” occasions). I love that you saved up and bought exactly what you wanted, almost like a “treat yourself” moment!
xoxo, SS
Southern And Style
Nice post. It’s amazing how people with go for years without indulging themselves isn’t it?
This SUV looks AWESOME!!! Is my assumption that you now have a new internet bill for the car correct??
Brave new world indeed. I love the line about moving into it if Trump gets elected. God willing it won’t come to that! Eek!
I love technology!
Thanks for bringing your post to the Blogger’s Pit Stop last week.
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
Sounds like a great new car! I recently purchased my first brand new car (I’ve had used vehicles since I was 16) and it was a whole new world too!
Awesome! Looks like a great find! So glad to hear you are pleased with your new car! Hope it’s still treating you well!
Awsome looking car i really like your car and wish o Ride this car Thank you
Looks like it was a fun event! It’s great Chevy could answer your sustainability question.
Looks like a good buy. Worth every penny. I’m glad the new car is working great for you. Good job!
Like the amazing car! Love that you can open the trunk without using your hands!