SOTW: Volvo T-5

It's a Volvo, it's fast, it was once a touring car and Cops quite like it too

By Garlick / Friday, 5 October 2007 / Loading comments

The Volvo T-5. Cast your mind back a few years- if you saw a dark blue or other nondescript metallic version in your rear view mirror you'd slow down and move over. Sharpish. Only to see a middle aged businessman shoot past you with a grin on his face rather than the undercover cop car you were expecting.

The UK traffic police fell for its reliability and standard 225bhp and as a result you can't turn on an episode of Police, Camera, Action without seeing one of these hurtling around a city centre following a stolen Nova. They were even seen on the grid of the BTCC after being fettled by TWR- surely we all remember the racing T-5 estates with two wheels in the air as they went around sharp corners?

I've only driven one of these in my lifetime, but I remember the crazy torque steer, amazing pace and a feeling of true solidity that was missing in BMW's and Mercs of that era. If you floored the accelerator you could literally stand there producing more smoke than a Santa Pod burnout, best to trickle up to 30ish and floor it from there.

The T-5R followed offering an additional 25bhp but Shed's budget could only stretch to a T-5. We even had to go for a saloon as the estates were stretching our £1000 limit, but look what we have found and tell me this wouldn't make the ideal daily smoker?

It's a 1996 2.3 T-5 Auto, 150,000 miles full service history and 10 months MOT, specced to the hilt and certainly very presentable, best of all, it's £895.

Each week I am amazed at what you can buy for under a grand, surely this is unbeatable at that price?

Advert Says:

Automatic, 150,000 miles, Silver, Pearl Silver,N reg, Full Service History & old MOT's,10 months MOT, Full Black Leather, Electric/Heated/Memory Seats, Sport Mode, Climate Control & Air-Con, Cruise Control, Electric Sunroof, Remote Central Locking/Alarm, Electric Windows & Mirrors, Premium Sound Rad/Cass & 10 CD Changer, Info Computer, Alloys with good tyres, Airbags/SIP's/WHIPS/ABS & Traction Control (very safe), Excellent Drive. Bargain!. £895. ono

Source: Auto Trader