RE: Volvo S80 V8: Spotted
Discussion
I know this may not be a car for everyone, but as 34 year old going on 50 it has a lot of appeal to me.
I actually think this it represents reasonable value, especially when compared with similar age XC90 models. 23 MPG may not sound a lot but it is no worse than something like an Audi S5 V8 and not far off a similar aged Range Rover diesel (I bet an underpowered XC90 D5 of the same age will not manage much better either). All would also cost a similar amount to tax but a lot more to buy than this for a good one.
In countries where people are free of the dictates of the 'Environmental' police I think Volvo actually sold quite a few of them. Although black with black would not be my favourite option I think the S80 (with the right wheels) is a subtly handsome car with a very good interior, plenty of space and good levels of refinement. Where the V8 version scores is that it backs this up with effortless performance, a pleasing soundtrack and AWD all year round usability. The transverse nature of the engine dictated a 60 degree V-angle, which gives the unit a slightly unusual V8 voice-look it up on You-tube.
The 300 Bhp straight six T6 replaced this engine and is a very good unit, but in reality it is not that much more economical and tax in the UK is still in Band L-they are also even more rare. Volvo have deleted it as an option on the S80 in the UK now-all diesel only I am afraid.
If it was me I would really fancy a dark grey with deep red leather or a dark blue with cream leather V8 Executive spec model. A nice, understated cruiser with a cultured drive train which should last for years-obviously not a concept popular with the UK car buying public.
I actually think this it represents reasonable value, especially when compared with similar age XC90 models. 23 MPG may not sound a lot but it is no worse than something like an Audi S5 V8 and not far off a similar aged Range Rover diesel (I bet an underpowered XC90 D5 of the same age will not manage much better either). All would also cost a similar amount to tax but a lot more to buy than this for a good one.
In countries where people are free of the dictates of the 'Environmental' police I think Volvo actually sold quite a few of them. Although black with black would not be my favourite option I think the S80 (with the right wheels) is a subtly handsome car with a very good interior, plenty of space and good levels of refinement. Where the V8 version scores is that it backs this up with effortless performance, a pleasing soundtrack and AWD all year round usability. The transverse nature of the engine dictated a 60 degree V-angle, which gives the unit a slightly unusual V8 voice-look it up on You-tube.
The 300 Bhp straight six T6 replaced this engine and is a very good unit, but in reality it is not that much more economical and tax in the UK is still in Band L-they are also even more rare. Volvo have deleted it as an option on the S80 in the UK now-all diesel only I am afraid.
If it was me I would really fancy a dark grey with deep red leather or a dark blue with cream leather V8 Executive spec model. A nice, understated cruiser with a cultured drive train which should last for years-obviously not a concept popular with the UK car buying public.
Had one as a company car for a month, great as an everyday car, very good in fact. Not fun as such but the noise was great but the economy was horrendous, no surprise on that front.
I agree that one is priced in a silly bracket, I remember seeing them 2 years old for 16-20k. All in all they had very few problems and the engine was surprisingly bomb proof.
Id happily have one as an everday car, if fuel was alot less.
I agree that one is priced in a silly bracket, I remember seeing them 2 years old for 16-20k. All in all they had very few problems and the engine was surprisingly bomb proof.
Id happily have one as an everday car, if fuel was alot less.
confused_buyer said:
I remember these when they came out - virtually all were Volvo UK management cars. When they got sold off in 2008 after a year in the middle of the financial crisis they were struggling to attract bids of £12k for fully optioned year old examples with 10k miles.
I bottled out of buying an ex-VCUK V8 SE Sport that was 15 months old, had 6k miles and a batch of 5 were offered to dealer groups for £10.5k apiece of £11.5k individually. Our MD decided against the punt, our next local group (who now own that group...) did take the punt and all five were up for £16,995 a week later. Two weeks later they'd all sold.
In theory I could have bought one, run it for 3-4 years and suffered no capital loss. Try that with a contemporary 545i...
I was lucky enough to run one as a demo for three months and 5k miles as nobody else wanted the tax bill (fuel was the same tax if I had a D5 or V8) that went with it. Was brilliant.
The 3.2 inline six is a fantastic (British built) engine, not really any better on fuel than the V8 that genuinely does return an easy 22-24mpg, but so very smooth and refined. More readily available and infinitely preferable to either a diesel or 2.5T (that uses the Focus ST/C30 T5 engine rather than the proper Volvo 2.5T engine of the former generation) - the 2.5T is the thirstiest petrol in them, it's hilariously inefficient for its output even in a C30.
Zwolf said:
I bottled out of buying an ex-VCUK V8 SE Sport that was 15 months old, had 6k miles and a batch of 5 were offered to dealer groups for £10.5k apiece of £11.5k individually. Our MD decided against the punt, our next local group (who now own that group...) did take the punt and all five were up for £16,995 a week later. Two weeks later they'd all sold.
Interesting story - highlights the fact that the seven year old car at the top of this thread is way overpriced (as others have said).Strap a couple of turbochargers on it, like the Noble M600 uses and we are talking...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_M600
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noble_M600
Alternatively, selling five V8 saloons within just 2weeks at a time when panic selling out of large petrol engined cars was at its height, may well prove that at £16,995, they were rather under-priced...
I remember a Volvo technician at the time telling me about these cars being sold off really cheaply by Volvo UK.
£11,000 may seem a lot for a 7 year old Volvo saloon, but when you consider it's low mileage, service record, level of specification, V8 engine, size, space, potential longevity and AWD then it does not seem too much to me. That does not mean it will be cheap to run, but if you do a low mileage then what does that matter?
No doubt some would rather have something more sporting such as a M5 or AMG E-class, but this is more of an alternative to a powerful cruiser such as a 535i/545i, A6 4.2, E350/E500, Lexus GS or Jaguar XF 4.2. The later 5.5 litre E500, 550i and XF 5.0 are obviously more powerful and capable, but also newer and more expensive second hand.
Yes there are modern diesels that offer similar pace and better economy, but none will be as silky smooth or have as pleasant a soundtrack as any of the above, and as they all get older and repairs stack up, I am not sure a complex modern diesel option will be any cheaper to run than an under-stressed chain cam V8 petrol, unless you do a big mileage.
I remember a Volvo technician at the time telling me about these cars being sold off really cheaply by Volvo UK.
£11,000 may seem a lot for a 7 year old Volvo saloon, but when you consider it's low mileage, service record, level of specification, V8 engine, size, space, potential longevity and AWD then it does not seem too much to me. That does not mean it will be cheap to run, but if you do a low mileage then what does that matter?
No doubt some would rather have something more sporting such as a M5 or AMG E-class, but this is more of an alternative to a powerful cruiser such as a 535i/545i, A6 4.2, E350/E500, Lexus GS or Jaguar XF 4.2. The later 5.5 litre E500, 550i and XF 5.0 are obviously more powerful and capable, but also newer and more expensive second hand.
Yes there are modern diesels that offer similar pace and better economy, but none will be as silky smooth or have as pleasant a soundtrack as any of the above, and as they all get older and repairs stack up, I am not sure a complex modern diesel option will be any cheaper to run than an under-stressed chain cam V8 petrol, unless you do a big mileage.
Edited by Alex P on Tuesday 13th August 15:40
Alex P said:
Alternatively, selling five V8 saloons within just 2weeks at a time when panic selling out of large petrol engined cars was at its height, may well prove that at £16,995, they were rather under-priced...
It was intended to be a quick opportunistic punt, not have them sit around for 90 days and have to go to trade again - where they could well have lost out, instead of taking in £25k net profit on just five deals. That at the time was about 20-30 normal deals and all the work that goes into it...It was *enough* profit.
Sounds like the dealer and their customers benefitted from Volvo panic selling its stock; I bet none of them could believe their luck.
Just goes to prove that buying stock at the right price is just as important as selling at the right price.
After 8 years in the trade you build up a feel for what would sell quickly and what could stick around (and priced them accordingly when working or SIV values/underwrites) but there were always cars that would surprise either way.
Just goes to prove that buying stock at the right price is just as important as selling at the right price.
After 8 years in the trade you build up a feel for what would sell quickly and what could stick around (and priced them accordingly when working or SIV values/underwrites) but there were always cars that would surprise either way.
Market was on the floor at the end of 2008 so not surprised they where so cheap back then! At the time all cars had to be priced low and anything remotely different or unpopular took a big hit.
Back on topic I like the car but because its so rare and only of its kind currently for sale they can pretty much name their price if not in a hurry to sell. Someone will have it
Back on topic I like the car but because its so rare and only of its kind currently for sale they can pretty much name their price if not in a hurry to sell. Someone will have it
Sorry for a holy thread resurrection but I've just picked up one of these having wanted one for ages. The missus had decided she didn't like driving the Disco 2 I got her last week so in a drunken huff on eBay I put a bid in in the dying moments of the auction and won it! A bit of buyers remorse the next day when I realised it was over 250 miles away in Stockport and I'm in Essex. Still, can't beat a car-buying roadtrip!
So, the car itself, finished in Black with black leather, (not the gaudy white leather thankfully) 43K, a good but not complete service history. Was described as "good, not excellent condition" and said it had minor dents and some scratches. On pickup I was pleasantly surprised, the door dent they pictured will require paint which I assumed it would but other than that I can't find anything wrong with it, nothing that a quick mop/polish/wax won't sort! Interior is near mint. Front tyres are low and one has a small lump out of the sidewall, I'll be replacing all four with new Michelin Pilot Sports. Other than that it's going to get a service and check-over at a local Volvo specialist. No cambelt to worry about as its chain.
So what did I pay? Not quite down to 2K like one poster above said they would be at by now, I gave £5.5k. Seems cheap for the miles compared to others currently for sale. Yes, there's a multitude of other cars I could have had for the same money but I've got a soft spot for large wafty Volvos, and this fits the bill perfectly. Fire it up from cold and it makes a better noise than any of my Focus RSs, settles down to a nice burble. Plant the throttle and it takes off, throttle response is immediate! It doesn't feel like the large heavy car that it is, it's actually fairly nimble. The missus loves it as well, which is the important thing though.
So, the car itself, finished in Black with black leather, (not the gaudy white leather thankfully) 43K, a good but not complete service history. Was described as "good, not excellent condition" and said it had minor dents and some scratches. On pickup I was pleasantly surprised, the door dent they pictured will require paint which I assumed it would but other than that I can't find anything wrong with it, nothing that a quick mop/polish/wax won't sort! Interior is near mint. Front tyres are low and one has a small lump out of the sidewall, I'll be replacing all four with new Michelin Pilot Sports. Other than that it's going to get a service and check-over at a local Volvo specialist. No cambelt to worry about as its chain.
So what did I pay? Not quite down to 2K like one poster above said they would be at by now, I gave £5.5k. Seems cheap for the miles compared to others currently for sale. Yes, there's a multitude of other cars I could have had for the same money but I've got a soft spot for large wafty Volvos, and this fits the bill perfectly. Fire it up from cold and it makes a better noise than any of my Focus RSs, settles down to a nice burble. Plant the throttle and it takes off, throttle response is immediate! It doesn't feel like the large heavy car that it is, it's actually fairly nimble. The missus loves it as well, which is the important thing though.
Reader's Car thread please!
I bottled buying an '07 blue/ cream example at 4.5k ~ 2 years ago (75k-ish), think it would be worth the same now.
There is a lot of internet nonsense about the engines, they were designed by Volvo and built to print by Yamaha, who told Volvo them with their bench testing they'd sludge with miles in the way they wanted them arranged and cooled. "Build to print" said Volvo. The first batch of engines suffers, there's a cut off point which can be googled, mainly those in US XC90's fortunately (for us!) The "development" by Yamaha the Wikipedia page on this lump alludes to was to put the "I told you so" bits in to fix that, nothing more.
I bottled buying an '07 blue/ cream example at 4.5k ~ 2 years ago (75k-ish), think it would be worth the same now.
There is a lot of internet nonsense about the engines, they were designed by Volvo and built to print by Yamaha, who told Volvo them with their bench testing they'd sludge with miles in the way they wanted them arranged and cooled. "Build to print" said Volvo. The first batch of engines suffers, there's a cut off point which can be googled, mainly those in US XC90's fortunately (for us!) The "development" by Yamaha the Wikipedia page on this lump alludes to was to put the "I told you so" bits in to fix that, nothing more.
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