SHED Estate "what car?" to replace Alfa 156 V6
Discussion
I'd say V70 T5 (more character) or the Saab (ultimately quicker and more quirky). Make sure that the sump has been dropped on the 9-5 and that the clutch is ok on the Volvo. Both will do huge mileages and will make most things feel like they are made of old crisp packets, whilst being very comfortable and having decent kit as standard. The Volvo if you get one with the Pro Logic audio is one of the best stock installations I have heard.
My vote would be for a V70 Volvo of whatever flavour.
The way that era of Volvo is made, the quality of the construction and materials used under the bonnet - down to rust free brackets, solid cable harnessing, water tight electrical connectors, thick plating of bolts, gaskets and seals leak free quality, alloy subframes and bottom arms, pneumatic engine mounts, jubilee clipped hoses that can be removed for servicing/cleaning of pipes and ducts where other manufacturers use one time crimped pipe clips, fuse boxes that are decently sized with great weather protection and very clearly labelled. Owners manuals that are written in plain normal English.
Way above any penny pinching Ford or Vauxhall in terms of what you are physically getting and it shows after 10 years in British weather.
If you want to buy a car that is affordable, has genuine quality construction where it matters and has been designed by engineers that haven't been overly hampered by accountants then a Volvo would be good.
I've just bought a 2004 S60 and you might be able to tell, I've simply been blown away by the difference between what Volvo have been doing and what Ford/Vauxhall have been serving up.
Its true, a Mondeo might be durable and delightfull in the bends, but not as durable and in my opinion, compared to a Volvo its built like a supermarket own brand.
The way that era of Volvo is made, the quality of the construction and materials used under the bonnet - down to rust free brackets, solid cable harnessing, water tight electrical connectors, thick plating of bolts, gaskets and seals leak free quality, alloy subframes and bottom arms, pneumatic engine mounts, jubilee clipped hoses that can be removed for servicing/cleaning of pipes and ducts where other manufacturers use one time crimped pipe clips, fuse boxes that are decently sized with great weather protection and very clearly labelled. Owners manuals that are written in plain normal English.
Way above any penny pinching Ford or Vauxhall in terms of what you are physically getting and it shows after 10 years in British weather.
If you want to buy a car that is affordable, has genuine quality construction where it matters and has been designed by engineers that haven't been overly hampered by accountants then a Volvo would be good.
I've just bought a 2004 S60 and you might be able to tell, I've simply been blown away by the difference between what Volvo have been doing and what Ford/Vauxhall have been serving up.
Its true, a Mondeo might be durable and delightfull in the bends, but not as durable and in my opinion, compared to a Volvo its built like a supermarket own brand.
drummerian said:
way better than I see from the Alfa then.....especially with a slipping clutch!
One oddity - if you look at the official fuel consumption / CO2 figures, the two jointly most economical petrol 9-5s are the base 2.0 and the 250bhp Aero. http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/facts-and-fi...
No idea why.
londonbabe said:
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/classifieds-cars-sa...
Am I allowed to pimp my own car?
It's a lovely 300TE-24, just waiting for a new owner.
This is for sale on the barges £0-5K thread and may well fit the bill...Am I allowed to pimp my own car?
It's a lovely 300TE-24, just waiting for a new owner.
Edited by londonbabe on Wednesday 1st April 01:16
BL Fanboy said:
My vote would be for a V70 Volvo of whatever flavour.
The way that era of Volvo is made, the quality of the construction and materials used under the bonnet - down to rust free brackets, solid cable harnessing, water tight electrical connectors, thick plating of bolts, gaskets and seals leak free quality, alloy subframes and bottom arms, pneumatic engine mounts, jubilee clipped hoses that can be removed for servicing/cleaning of pipes and ducts where other manufacturers use one time crimped pipe clips, fuse boxes that are decently sized with great weather protection and very clearly labelled. Owners manuals that are written in plain normal English.
Way above any penny pinching Ford or Vauxhall in terms of what you are physically getting and it shows after 10 years in British weather.
If you want to buy a car that is affordable, has genuine quality construction where it matters and has been designed by engineers that haven't been overly hampered by accountants then a Volvo would be good.
I've just bought a 2004 S60 and you might be able to tell, I've simply been blown away by the difference between what Volvo have been doing and what Ford/Vauxhall have been serving up.
Its true, a Mondeo might be durable and delightfull in the bends, but not as durable and in my opinion, compared to a Volvo its built like a supermarket own brand.
As the owner of a 2004 S60 D5 SE I agree with everything you say. I bought it 15 months ago on a whim and am amazed at how good it is, my perception of what a Volvo is has changed massively since buying this one.The way that era of Volvo is made, the quality of the construction and materials used under the bonnet - down to rust free brackets, solid cable harnessing, water tight electrical connectors, thick plating of bolts, gaskets and seals leak free quality, alloy subframes and bottom arms, pneumatic engine mounts, jubilee clipped hoses that can be removed for servicing/cleaning of pipes and ducts where other manufacturers use one time crimped pipe clips, fuse boxes that are decently sized with great weather protection and very clearly labelled. Owners manuals that are written in plain normal English.
Way above any penny pinching Ford or Vauxhall in terms of what you are physically getting and it shows after 10 years in British weather.
If you want to buy a car that is affordable, has genuine quality construction where it matters and has been designed by engineers that haven't been overly hampered by accountants then a Volvo would be good.
I've just bought a 2004 S60 and you might be able to tell, I've simply been blown away by the difference between what Volvo have been doing and what Ford/Vauxhall have been serving up.
Its true, a Mondeo might be durable and delightfull in the bends, but not as durable and in my opinion, compared to a Volvo its built like a supermarket own brand.
drummerian said:
I am also surprised by the lack of BMW love. Can a decent 528 not be had for the money yet or do people just prefer other things?
I've been there over the years with various 3 and 5 series, and tbh they're a bit bland and boring now. Efficiency and Germanisms are great, but the price point and perception that people think is what their car should be for sale it is at odds with what it's actual value is to me. There's more interesting stuff out there with better value. I'm still not convinced on the Volvo thing, but adverts and market rates seem to agree that they're much better cars as was said earlier in the thread when I asked. andy-xr said:
I've been there over the years with various 3 and 5 series, and tbh they're a bit bland and boring now. Efficiency and Germanisms are great, but the price point and perception that people think is what their car should be for sale it is at odds with what it's actual value is to me. There's more interesting stuff out there with better value. I'm still not convinced on the Volvo thing, but adverts and market rates seem to agree that they're much better cars as was said earlier in the thread when I asked.
Pretty much the impression i've been getting. That and I totally agree that there is more interesting stuff out there for less coin! Sticking autotrader/pistons heads on 'estate £<1000' doesn't seem to turn up many results within 50miles that are super interesting at the moment though....keep hunting
I know it's a little above budget....but this is sorely tempting:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
BL Fanboy said:
Its true, a Mondeo might be durable and delightfull in the bends, but not as durable and in my opinion, compared to a Volvo its built like a supermarket own brand.
I was wondering about this actually. I love my slightly tatty Mk1 Focus estate - it's got quick steering, a good turning circle and it's not half bad to chuck down a B road. The interior is really basic and cheap feeling though, and I've been wondering what I'll end up replacing it with. I get that V70s and their ilk make great long distance cruisers, but can they actually be fun?
Edited by MajorMantra on Sunday 5th April 10:27
drummerian said:
I know it's a little above budget....but this is sorely tempting:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
I think that looks great. Is it safe from Nikasil issues?http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
MajorMantra said:
I get that V70s and their ilk make great long distance cruisers, but can they actually be fun?
I've done plenty of miles in a V70 (2.5 tdi) and owned a V40 T4. My current car is an ST220 estate. There's fun to be had in the Volvos because they are faster than many would give them credit for, but the Mondeo is a way better handling car.SlowV6 said:
drummerian said:
I know it's a little above budget....but this is sorely tempting:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
I think that looks great. Is it safe from Nikasil issues?http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...
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