RE: SOTW: Volvo C70 T5 Coupe
Discussion
Mr2Mike said:
Good shed I reckon. Does anyone know why these apparently didn't handle too well? For a barge, the old 850 T5 had pretty decent handling.
I have a feeling that it's more about context than ability.When people found that the saloon/estate which isn't supposed to drive well, did, they were impressed and clapped.
When presented with a sporty couple they expected amazing things and when it didn't so all of them, they booed.
St John Smythe said:
J4CKO said:
richb77 said:
J4CKO said:
I think Garages see you coming from a long way away 
It was my local main stealer. I never gave the all clear to do the work and 3 weeks later the throttle f*cked itself again. I went straight to Volvo UK who gave me back my money AND fixed it.
I hated the faults but i had a Friday afternoon car.
Still....I cant help loving them.
Still, top shedding, but sadly after a Volvo 850 T5 and two Saab Turbo's I need a change from Swedish FWD turbo's however tempting, I vow to not buy another.
johnpeat said:
I have a feeling that it's more about context than ability.
When people found that the saloon/estate which isn't supposed to drive well, did, they were impressed and clapped.
When presented with a sporty couple they expected amazing things and when it didn't so all of them, they booed.
When people found that the saloon/estate which isn't supposed to drive well, did, they were impressed and clapped.
When presented with a sporty couple they expected amazing things and when it didn't so all of them, they booed.
Well ours was 2001, purchased at 5years old with 135k on the clock. And drove fine. Felt heavy through the bends, but it IS heavy. As for it's handling, it gripped well enough, made the right noises, supped 97ron fast enough, and always felt responsive. Just... Heavy. But with door-cards that thick, and seats that heavy, it's never going to scare caterham owners.
mgmrw said:
Well ours was 2001, purchased at 5years old with 135k on the clock. And drove fine. Felt heavy through the bends, but it IS heavy. As for it's handling, it gripped well enough, made the right noises, supped 97ron fast enough, and always felt responsive. Just... Heavy. But with door-cards that thick, and seats that heavy, it's never going to scare caterham owners.
I bought a Volvo C70 T5 not that long ago. It was a non runner when I bought it, and although I got it cheap it has cost rather a lot to get it right.
Best thing to do it stretch the budget as far as possible as suggested, and buy one that is already in good working order.
They are generally pretty solid and well built but have their common faults.
Driver's side window mechanism/motor fails and is a costly repair. All breakers are aware of this and charge quite a lot for the new motor/mechanism.
Electronic throttle modules can cause problems too as mentioned. Sometimes there are issues with the MAF as well, and genuine ones are very expensive.
Front seat usually wear through to the metal (on the corners) as they fold forward onto themselves. I had to get mine re-done. Going to a breakers yard usually ends up in disappointment as most of the cars suffer from the same problems. When I was after a new seat for example, they had all worn in the same place..
They are pretty heavy on the front tyres too, I had to replace mine when I got it.
Bushes go on them from what I gather, so I have had to replace quite a few of those too.
They can let in a little wind noise from around the windows - I had my adjusted from a local bodyshop and thus is much better now.
Overall though they are great cars and I really like the understated look of them. The interior is pretty smart as well, although the standard fake wood is atrocious. I swapped mine for the genuine aluminium inserts from a later. spec one.
Plus points are that it has a nice smooth engine and it sounds good. Performance is good as well but they are a bit on the heavy side so don't expect pin sharp lightweight sports car feedback.
Build quality is very good and the car has a very solid feel which I like.
Best thing to do it stretch the budget as far as possible as suggested, and buy one that is already in good working order.
They are generally pretty solid and well built but have their common faults.
Driver's side window mechanism/motor fails and is a costly repair. All breakers are aware of this and charge quite a lot for the new motor/mechanism.
Electronic throttle modules can cause problems too as mentioned. Sometimes there are issues with the MAF as well, and genuine ones are very expensive.
Front seat usually wear through to the metal (on the corners) as they fold forward onto themselves. I had to get mine re-done. Going to a breakers yard usually ends up in disappointment as most of the cars suffer from the same problems. When I was after a new seat for example, they had all worn in the same place..
They are pretty heavy on the front tyres too, I had to replace mine when I got it.
Bushes go on them from what I gather, so I have had to replace quite a few of those too.
They can let in a little wind noise from around the windows - I had my adjusted from a local bodyshop and thus is much better now.
Overall though they are great cars and I really like the understated look of them. The interior is pretty smart as well, although the standard fake wood is atrocious. I swapped mine for the genuine aluminium inserts from a later. spec one.
Plus points are that it has a nice smooth engine and it sounds good. Performance is good as well but they are a bit on the heavy side so don't expect pin sharp lightweight sports car feedback.
Build quality is very good and the car has a very solid feel which I like.
Riknos said:
bob42 said:
Having viewed that particular car myself (before buying this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250889996985?ssPageName=...) I can confirm that "looks superb, viewing highly recomended" translates as: "Looks like its been polished with a brillo pad, has scratches, various dents and the sunroof doesn't open".
Looks in beautiful condition Bob, mind if I ask how much it set you back?As someone above mentioned the stereo is excellent and mine appears to have not only the Dolby Pro Logic processor, but also the upgraded Dynaudio speakers. I'm very happy with it.
mgmrw said:
SWoll said:
Suprises me, what with Volvo's reputation for lightweight sportcars.
Yeah, that was my point. People seemed shocked it was heavy..... FFS it's part of Volvo charmI personally think the C70 is still quite a handsome car in the right colour and wears it years well compared to some similar cars of it's age. A lovely place to cruise up and down the motorway in assuming everything electrical was working (unlike the SOTW...
) Nice car, but I followed the link to the car you bought and it lured me into "Resale Silver" hell 
Every car offered as an alternative (except one blue one) was silver... Might have been because yours was, or just a reflection on the general paucity of variety in colours these days.
The blue one looked rather nice though
I must admit I've always liked the look of the C70, but I've never driven one - Overweight Calibra is my impression though...
M
Every car offered as an alternative (except one blue one) was silver... Might have been because yours was, or just a reflection on the general paucity of variety in colours these days.
The blue one looked rather nice though
I must admit I've always liked the look of the C70, but I've never driven one - Overweight Calibra is my impression though...
M
SWoll said:
mgmrw said:
SWoll said:
Suprises me, what with Volvo's reputation for lightweight sportcars.
Yeah, that was my point. People seemed shocked it was heavy..... FFS it's part of Volvo charmI personally think the C70 is still quite a handsome car in the right colour and wears it years well compared to some similar cars of it's age. A lovely place to cruise up and down the motorway in assuming everything electrical was working (unlike the SOTW...
) Only "Mod" was a debadged chrome grille from the states, that took years off the car, removed the headlight wipers (1 bust) and that was it.
Did Lincs to Cardiff and back, in a day, twice in a month. 35mpg and sooo comfy it was untrue. If I could find one on budget, and insure for same as current snotter, I'd have one.
St John Smythe said:
I've always wondered in this situation what would happen if you refused to pay? I imagine they'd try and keep hold of the car.
Just as an aside for those who don't realise they can't keep hold of the car. If they do try that call the police. The car remains your property and it is illigal for them to hold it against an un-paid debt.Dreadful cars. A work colleague bought one and I gave it a spin. The fit and finish of the interior was woeful, the steering vague, and the poke was nonexistant. He had no end of issues with it and eventually got rid. Lovely looking exterior though, Volvo must have thought it would be enough to make idiots part with their cash...
A mate of mine has an auto for slushing up and down the M/Way. The car generally looks fantastic and the interior feels a bit special.
The downside is lack of grunt, but you don't need that when you’re always stationary in a queue. The worst thing is the lock. Getting into and out of a parking space is very difficult needing too many manoeuvres.
But £500+ and a bit of fettling for this luxury barge is pretty cheap.
The downside is lack of grunt, but you don't need that when you’re always stationary in a queue. The worst thing is the lock. Getting into and out of a parking space is very difficult needing too many manoeuvres.
But £500+ and a bit of fettling for this luxury barge is pretty cheap.
daveco said:
Dreadful cars. A work colleague bought one and I gave it a spin. The fit and finish of the interior was woeful, the steering vague, and the poke was nonexistant. He had no end of issues with it and eventually got rid. Lovely looking exterior though, Volvo must have thought it would be enough to make idiots part with their cash...
That would have been the NA 2.4 then, 170bhp, not *exactly* enough for sporty performance in such a weighty car. Either that or that example was completely buggered. None of the turbo engines lack poke and the T5, well it's a T5 for christ's sake they are not exactly slow...... Vague steering means either the rack was on it's way or (more likely) some bushes were shot, they don't give much feedback but the steering isn't vague at all on a sorted one.
I've had a V70 T5 for 8 years now, 165,000 miles and no real issues apart from wear and tear items, clutch, dampers, bushes etc.
Really underrated, super comfortable cars. Drove 12 hours into France last year and not a twinge from my back or any other related body part!
Traction is a bit cack and steering lock is woeful, but the build quality and load capacity is legendary.
Really underrated, super comfortable cars. Drove 12 hours into France last year and not a twinge from my back or any other related body part!
Traction is a bit cack and steering lock is woeful, but the build quality and load capacity is legendary.
Nice shed, have always wanted one but personally I would much rather go for this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140622085165?ssPageName=...
Low miles and supercharged coupled with jap reliability, you can't go wrong.....well apart from the colour lol
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140622085165?ssPageName=...
Low miles and supercharged coupled with jap reliability, you can't go wrong.....well apart from the colour lol
ninos said:
Nice shed, have always wanted one but personally I would much rather go for this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140622085165?ssPageName=...
Low miles and supercharged coupled with jap reliability, you can't go wrong.....well apart from the colour lol
What??? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140622085165?ssPageName=...
Low miles and supercharged coupled with jap reliability, you can't go wrong.....well apart from the colour lol
Go for something super rare (even more expensive to put right), less power (200 and a bit bhp) thirstier and slower...?
Nah.
treetops said:
What???
Go for something super rare (even more expensive to put right), less power (200 and a bit bhp) thirstier and slower...?
Nah.
Rarer? Yes but it's in far better condition, newer and has done a quarter of the miles. So it might be a bit less powerfull, does that really matter considering its doesn't really need any work doing apart from the door if it really bothered you and it has tax too. As long as its been looked after then you wont have any issues with the running gear. Only problem will be rust but sort it early and that wont become an issue.Go for something super rare (even more expensive to put right), less power (200 and a bit bhp) thirstier and slower...?
Nah.
treetops said:
ninos said:
Nice shed, have always wanted one but personally I would much rather go for this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140622085165?ssPageName=...
Low miles and supercharged coupled with jap reliability, you can't go wrong.....well apart from the colour lol
What??? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140622085165?ssPageName=...
Low miles and supercharged coupled with jap reliability, you can't go wrong.....well apart from the colour lol
Go for something super rare (even more expensive to put right), less power (200 and a bit bhp) thirstier and slower...?
Nah.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff