Best smoker barges 1-5 large [vol11]

[tog]

tobinen said:

Yes, I agree entirely, times were different. I recall my uncle ordered a new Opel Monza 3.0E way back in late 1983, and loaded it up including aircon but cruise was not an option. He sourced an aftermarket system (from Germany I think, can't remember the brand), which had a neat sliding switch mounted near the instrument cluster. As a 13 year old I thought it was space-age tech.

Surprised cruise wasn't an option - my 1984 Bitter had it and I'd assumed it came from the Senator / Monza like the rest of the car's systems. The whole dash was just a leather-wrapped Senator part!

[SimonConnell]

So. Following on from the Volvo further up the page, this example is strong money but is the last of the line with all the best options and a great colour:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152476860125

And I'm too late in posting this, and not surprised it went quickly. Lovely E430 with good options (including the poppered fabric boot liner and orthapedic seats), still wearing the Chelsea supplying dealer plates:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-MODEL-MERCEDES-BENZ...

[Krikkit]

Two good finds there, that Volvo is magnificent but seems toppy for such an unloved brand.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Krikkit said:

... that Volvo is magnificent but seems toppy for such an unloved brand.

I suspect that Volvo as a brand has more love and loyalty than most. A lot of owners become serial buyers and even the old ones have quite a following.

My first Volvo was a tax-free purchase before a move to Germany. Before ordering it I had a play with a friend's car and he said to me that the only down-side with buying a Volvo was that you'd never change to another make. That hasn't really been the case for me and I'm a bit of a car butterfly, but even I have bought half a dozen of the damned things over the years.

[W00DY]

SimonConnell said:

So. Following on from the Volvo further up the page, this example is strong money but is the last of the line with all the best options and a great colour:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152476860125

And I'm too late in posting this, and not surprised it went quickly. Lovely E430 with good options (including the poppered fabric boot liner and orthapedic seats), still wearing the Chelsea supplying dealer plates:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-MODEL-MERCEDES-BENZ...

Damn. I'd have had that E430. Lovely.

[cornershop]

W00DY said:

SimonConnell said:

So. Following on from the Volvo further up the page, this example is strong money but is the last of the line with all the best options and a great colour:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152476860125

And I'm too late in posting this, and not surprised it went quickly. Lovely E430 with good options (including the poppered fabric boot liner and orthapedic seats), still wearing the Chelsea supplying dealer plates:



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-MODEL-MERCEDES-BENZ...

Damn. I'd have had that E430. Lovely.

Appreciate its sold, but no mention of bodywork on that 430.

Both the 960 volvos look great, however I wonder how long the appeal would last for me

[SimonConnell]

cornershop said:

Appreciate its sold, but no mention of bodywork on that 430.

Both the 960 volvos look great, however I wonder how long the appeal would last for me

They're utterly classic smoker barge. Pleasant six pot petrol engine, soporific driving experience with wonderfully comfortable seats. And although with faint overtones of a provincial antiques dealer, it's pretty classless - you could turn up most places in that without being judged.

[SimonConnell]

cornershop said:

Appreciate its sold, but no mention of bodywork on that 430.

Both the 960 volvos look great, however I wonder how long the appeal would last for me

They're utterly classic smoker barge. Pleasant six pot petrol engine, soporific driving experience with wonderfully comfortable seats. And although with faint overtones of a provincial antiques dealer, it's pretty classless - you could turn up most places in that without being judged.

[callahan]

Stretching the definition of a barge rather, but 3 litres of petrol power and seems too good to be true?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[wack]

callahan said:

Stretching the definition of a barge rather, but 3 litres of petrol power and seems too good to be true?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Great mot history on that , if i were looking for one it'd be top of my list for sure

[Krikkit]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Krikkit said:

... that Volvo is magnificent but seems toppy for such an unloved brand.

I suspect that Volvo as a brand has more love and loyalty than most. A lot of owners become serial buyers and even the old ones have quite a following.

My first Volvo was a tax-free purchase before a move to Germany. Before ordering it I had a play with a friend's car and he said to me that the only down-side with buying a Volvo was that you'd never change to another make. That hasn't really been the case for me and I'm a bit of a car butterfly, but even I have bought half a dozen of the damned things over the years.

Not much love in the market though - considering that 960 is probably the apex for uncomplicated, classy motoring it's still sub 5 bags, and seems toppy at that. How much does a minty S124 in posh spec go for? Double?

FWIW I'm a big Volvo fan, keep seeing the handsome new S90/V90 at work and hoping they'll depreciate like a stone!

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Krikkit said:

FWIW I'm a big Volvo fan, keep seeing the handsome new S90/V90 at work and hoping they'll depreciate like a stone!

They are terrific cars. Devil's fuel though.

[callahan]

wack said:

callahan said:

Stretching the definition of a barge rather, but 3 litres of petrol power and seems too good to be true?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Great mot history on that , if i were looking for one it'd be top of my list for sure

Think I might give them a call tomorrow, just seems a bit too good to be true.

[Krikkit]

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Krikkit said:

FWIW I'm a big Volvo fan, keep seeing the handsome new S90/V90 at work and hoping they'll depreciate like a stone!

They are terrific cars. Devil's fuel though.

5 cylinders available and a DPF to get rid of the smell makes up for it.

[phil_cardiff]

Krikkit said:

CharlesdeGaulle said:

Krikkit said:

... that Volvo is magnificent but seems toppy for such an unloved brand.

I suspect that Volvo as a brand has more love and loyalty than most. A lot of owners become serial buyers and even the old ones have quite a following.

My first Volvo was a tax-free purchase before a move to Germany. Before ordering it I had a play with a friend's car and he said to me that the only down-side with buying a Volvo was that you'd never change to another make. That hasn't really been the case for me and I'm a bit of a car butterfly, but even I have bought half a dozen of the damned things over the years.

Not much love in the market though - considering that 960 is probably the apex for uncomplicated, classy motoring it's still sub 5 bags, and seems toppy at that. How much does a minty S124 in posh spec go for? Double?

FWIW I'm a big Volvo fan, keep seeing the handsome new S90/V90 at work and hoping they'll depreciate like a stone!

I'd personally prefer a 960 over an S124 so I had a real 'moment' when looking at that Volvo. £5k seems cheap to me for what you get.

[r129sl]

Another Volvo fan here. I did some of my learning in a 740 turbo estate. It had hilarious turbo lag and was rapid at the time. Especially for a learner.

How much was the E430 being offered at? It must have gone quick as it didn't show up in my saved search for "Mercedes E430". All it needs is integrated child seats in the rear bench.

[CharlesdeGaulle]

phil_cardiff said:

I'd personally prefer a 960 over an S124 so I had a real 'moment' when looking at that Volvo. £5k seems cheap to me for what you get.

I've had Volvo estates (not a 960 though) and an S124, and I'm inclined to agree. If I needed to replace my (Volvo!) estate now, that 960 would be on my drive.

[harrykul]

Krikkit said:

FWIW I'm a big Volvo fan, keep seeing the handsome new S90/V90 at work and hoping they'll depreciate like a stone!

I'm ordering a v90 today for Mrs Kul: can't believe I'm getting excited about a Volvo, but they are really impressive!


Or maybe it's because I'm now over 35....

[Riley Blue]

harrykul said:

I'm ordering a v90 today for Mrs Kul: can't believe I'm getting excited about a Volvo, but they are really impressive!


Or maybe it's because I'm now over 35....

Far, far too young. I'm 67 and I still can't get excited by a Volvo...

[W00DY]

harrykul said:

Krikkit said:

FWIW I'm a big Volvo fan, keep seeing the handsome new S90/V90 at work and hoping they'll depreciate like a stone!

I'm ordering a v90 today for Mrs Kul: can't believe I'm getting excited about a Volvo, but they are really impressive!


Or maybe it's because I'm now over 35....

Great work!


What's the spec? Such fantastic looking motors.