Bulletproof Motor
Discussion
MrGB said:
Any idea what the big Volvos are like in terms of MPG? Also what should I be looking out for on these SAABs and Volvos, any particular trouble spots?
Cheers for all the info so far.
My 850 20v will average 30mpg on the motorway (this was fully loaded, roof box, 80-90mph cruising, so not at all bad IMO).Cheers for all the info so far.
In day-to-day commuting (town, DC, single-carraigeway A roads etc) it averages 27-28mpg.
Jimbo. said:
My 850 20v will average 30mpg on the motorway (this was fully loaded, roof box, 80-90mph cruising, so not at all bad IMO).
In day-to-day commuting (town, DC, single-carraigeway A roads etc) it averages 27-28mpg.
That doesn't seem too bad at all really, I guess it depends on how/where it's driven and how well it's been looked after.In day-to-day commuting (town, DC, single-carraigeway A roads etc) it averages 27-28mpg.
Rover 75 or MG variant, with the Beemer 2L diesel. Can't go wrong, though don't expect the leccy bits to keep working. Local garage has the MG version as a loaner, 200k and still feels like it'll get you to anywhere you point it. Compared to an Evo, didn't appear to burn any fuel at all, comfy too. Ideal to drive in slippers.
anything with a toyota 3sge derived engine in it, ie celicas, mr2's etc. Completely bombproof engines, i had my celica for 4 years and the only things in that time i replaced were consumables (fluids,filters, pads, clutch)and it certainly wasnt driven softly. Cracking engine, would bounce off the rev limiter all day long, would have another in a heartbeat.
The big Volvos are On par with a jag if not slightly better - my t5 does 28-30mpg on a run - biggest problem me and Mrs morgrp have with it is trying to find a newer car as good to replace it with - generally bullet proof in all areas provided they are looked after - 850 is the pick for me - the best car volvo has ever made. Servicing is very reasonable and working on them is easy so good if you're a DIY mechanic
1750 will buy a seriously mint 850
1750 will buy a seriously mint 850
morgrp said:
The big Volvos are On par with a jag if not slightly better - my t5 does 28-30mpg on a run - biggest problem me and Mrs morgrp have with it is trying to find a newer car as good to replace it with - generally bullet proof in all areas provided they are looked after - 850 is the pick for me - the best car volvo has ever made. Servicing is very reasonable and working on them is easy so good if you're a DIY mechanic
1750 will buy a seriously mint 850
What are the diesels like? Or do I stick to the petrol models?1750 will buy a seriously mint 850
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70-2-5-Diesel-Est...
What kind of price do you think this should fetch? Not an 850 but from what's been said it seems to fit the bill.
What kind of price do you think this should fetch? Not an 850 but from what's been said it seems to fit the bill.
crofty1984 said:
xe mini said:
OP save yourself 1400 quid and get this, not even ran in yet 
I ran one for 2 years backwards and forwards to Germany did countless miles and other than the usual tyres and brake pads was 100% faultless. I still regret getting rid of it.
350 Quid.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=bu...
1996? Retro my arse!I ran one for 2 years backwards and forwards to Germany did countless miles and other than the usual tyres and brake pads was 100% faultless. I still regret getting rid of it.
350 Quid.
http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=bu...
I do try and steer clear of that website as there's a definite risk of retail therapy. I love old cars! And sadly drive a 2001 Clio
MrGB said:
Any idea what the big Volvos are like in terms of MPG? Also what should I be looking out for on these SAABs and Volvos, any particular trouble spots?
Cheers for all the info so far.
To be honest, not that much goes wrong with Saab 9000s! Usual stuff really, get one with service history and that looks like it's been cared for. High spec ones are no more expensive than low spec ones. Gearboxes aren't the strongest, but, again, don't abuse it and it will be fine. Mine has lost synchro on 2nd, but I double de-clutch and didn't notice after a couple of hours!Cheers for all the info so far.
I get 30mpg mixed, 35 on the motorway. 200bhp under the right foot
MrGB said:
Getting shot of my Jag STR after a few months of fun and looking for something to replace it with.
Basically I need to spend a maximum of £1750 on a motor that is as the title says bulletproof!
Not bothered about speed, but I do need space so super minis and small hatchbacks are out. Would also like better fuel economy (not too hard after 15mpg) and reasonable maintenance costs (if required). Diesel or petrol I'm not too fussed.
I've been told by a friend to get a Merc 190E but I'd like some more suggestions from people in the know!
Cheers
Surely anything BM/MERC/AUDI/LEXUS....etc might be of the excellant build quality, but when they let go they can let go in a biggish way. Room....reliability, or if not, cheap to fix, how about, Mondeo/Focus/Golf estate, or somink along those lines, rather than the big money pits meantioned.Basically I need to spend a maximum of £1750 on a motor that is as the title says bulletproof!
Not bothered about speed, but I do need space so super minis and small hatchbacks are out. Would also like better fuel economy (not too hard after 15mpg) and reasonable maintenance costs (if required). Diesel or petrol I'm not too fussed.
I've been told by a friend to get a Merc 190E but I'd like some more suggestions from people in the know!
Cheers
There are still only a few makes of car which have filled me with virtually 100% confidence (regardless of the price paid) and they are Honda, Mazda & Toyota.I have owned all sorts now, with prices ranging from £150 to £15,000 and it always comes back to those.I loved the 190e's, BMW's, the Saab etc etc etc, but if you don't need to add any sort of passion in to the mix, or are not bothered about something a bit older with character, an Accord or Mazzy 626 etc would be my choice.
I have just picked up another 20+ year old Honda for some "snotter" fun and games.It cost me £300.It appears to have had a decent life (despite the lack of history) and it still feels like a car only a few years old.All of them have (bar the usual bush replacements etc as time takes its toll)
The £250 Accord coupe I had felt the same, as did the other Civics and of course, every single electric window and mirror etc all worked perfectly.I have a 1999 CR-V which has now covered 130k miles and you can just about hear it ticking over.The civic V-Tec I had lived much of its life at 7k revs +, yet it never missed a beat and sounded like you had just popped to the local shops.The Mazda Eunos I have has had its ar$e kicked several times and is also 20 years old, it fires up fine after resting up for several months of the year, just by leaving it on a trickle charger.That cost me £800.
The Mazda 626 estate cost me peanuts and bar needing some front bushes, it drove, started, stopped, sounded and worked like something a year old.In fact, some of the more expensive Japanese machines I have had, have all driven and acted much like the snotters!
You can have problems and issues with any car of course (We just changed the bushes in the alternator on my friends Saab diesel for example as it left him stranded), but years before I could drive, my friends Dad who was a car fanatic, mechanic and coach builder would only ever buy Japanese and he was extremely happy when I got a Corolla as my first car.That was back in 1987 and if rust hasn't killed it, you can bet it is still going..
I have just picked up another 20+ year old Honda for some "snotter" fun and games.It cost me £300.It appears to have had a decent life (despite the lack of history) and it still feels like a car only a few years old.All of them have (bar the usual bush replacements etc as time takes its toll)
The £250 Accord coupe I had felt the same, as did the other Civics and of course, every single electric window and mirror etc all worked perfectly.I have a 1999 CR-V which has now covered 130k miles and you can just about hear it ticking over.The civic V-Tec I had lived much of its life at 7k revs +, yet it never missed a beat and sounded like you had just popped to the local shops.The Mazda Eunos I have has had its ar$e kicked several times and is also 20 years old, it fires up fine after resting up for several months of the year, just by leaving it on a trickle charger.That cost me £800.
The Mazda 626 estate cost me peanuts and bar needing some front bushes, it drove, started, stopped, sounded and worked like something a year old.In fact, some of the more expensive Japanese machines I have had, have all driven and acted much like the snotters!
You can have problems and issues with any car of course (We just changed the bushes in the alternator on my friends Saab diesel for example as it left him stranded), but years before I could drive, my friends Dad who was a car fanatic, mechanic and coach builder would only ever buy Japanese and he was extremely happy when I got a Corolla as my first car.That was back in 1987 and if rust hasn't killed it, you can bet it is still going..
icepop said:
Surely anything BM/MERC/AUDI/LEXUS....etc might be of the excellant build quality, but when they let go they can let go in a biggish way. Room....reliability, or if not, cheap to fix, how about, Mondeo/Focus/Golf estate, or somink along those lines, rather than the big money pits meantioned.
A lot will depend simply on what has been done maintenance wise with Mercs and BMW's etc.A tired example of a 190E for example, will feel truly terrible to drive.Spend a couple of hundred quid on it though and it will transform it.The earlier Mercs really were the last of the great cars imho, but, much like BMW, there are a lot of doggy examples which have been owned by younger people who just wanted the badge, rather than passionate owners who spared no expense.MrGB said:
What are the diesels like? Or do I stick to the petrol models?
The 850/V70 classic had a 140bhp Audi sourced 5banger and it performs pretty well and even sounds quite nice - expect high 30's to low 40's in terms of mpg. It is very tough and reliable unit too - the later models have the Volvo developed 20valve D5 unit in varying power outputs - also a good engine and more economic than the early onesGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff