Help Help. I really want a Volvo estate

[numtumfutunch]

Cards on table:

First word I ever said was "car"
Ive owned an Alfa - and became bessies with an auto electrician
Have run a V8 as a DD
Did all the major 80/90's hot hatches (5GT Turbo the best)
Ran an first generation MX5 as DD when met Mrs F'Tunch
Had an abysmal MB 180 when first child was born - they both owe me....
Swapped that for a JB speeding ticket spec 330d soon after
JLR badge earned with a RR Sport - lovely car
Currently in a PH spec leased 335d wagon

So why do I pine for a Volvo estate?

Its a toughie

Im at a stage in life where the kids are about to be independent yet I probably still need a shed with decent capacity for house/uni moves and dog transport. Plus Volvo estates are cool arent they?

The 335d is easily the fastest car Ive ever owned but the thrill of its phenomenal stomp fades after 4-5 seconds when it hits licence losing speeds. The rational thing to do is buy a Caterham and rent a van for the kids although that doesnt help the dog.

Weirdly ever since I can remember I have had a thing for Volvo estates. It was completely irrational as a teenager but the further I get through life the fact remains its an itch I need to scratch. Preferably in Cross Country 4x4 spec. The way my current BMW reacts to an open throttle is addictive but air suspension, heated seats and loads of room will easily compensate. Besides if you've ever nailed a 600cc sports bike on full throttle no car will ever compare. Maybe

Ive just spent an hour in the classifieds and have also unsuccessfully tried to find a decent lease deal. Sadly my 335d Touring will be a hard act to follow at 300 per month but Im still looking.

Comments welcome.....

[MYOB]

Yep, Volvos are classy and cool But don't tell anyone.

[PomBstard]

My advice, from experience, whatever model your looking at, take it in a long test drive over roads you know well. I thought a fast Volvo estate was the answer for me too, once. I don’t any more.

[FN2TypeR]

I'm twenty nine and have owned three Volvos; a C30, an 850 T5R and a V70 D5, they were all good motors in their own way

If you want one, get one

Edited by FN2TypeR on Tuesday 9th January 02:19

[gazza285]

On my seventh Volvo, looking at getting my eighth...

[SidewaysSi]

I want one too but don't want a T5 or a fast one as they make little sense for me.

Would be mich happier with a bum basic V70 Mk1 to be honest.

[indapendentlee]

My old boy just bought a V70 Cross Country (not XC70, the earlier one) - wonderful piece of kit for a couple of grand - waft-fest but that's why it's so great!

[TheVole]

Volvos are excellent motors. I'm 23 (so they aren't old man's cars!) and I've got this, C30 T5 with Polestar, Milltek and Eibach goodies:





What I'm trying to say here is it's perfectly alright to want a Volvo!

Edited by TheVole on Tuesday 9th January 09:00

[wiliferus]

On my forth. I like to think I’m on an upward curve...

V40 (R reg I think) 1.6 Petrol. Hateful turd.
V70 2.4t Petrol manual (2002) Great fun, went well, the noise was fantastic.
V70 D5 (163) manual. Almost the perfect car. Nice waves of torque, comfy, spacious and ridiculously economical. 750miles from £70 of derv was very achievable.
XC90 D5 197 Family duties forced this purchase. It’s just great. It does everything I need it to except driver involvement and economy
Also had a subtle remap, which has made it a much more pleasant driving experience.

Overall, I’m now a through and through Volvo man. I’ve never had any moans or groans about them.

[DonkeyApple]

I’ve always thought of them as a bit of an unsung hero. A well built and practical car with none of the baggage of other brands. They even manage to escape the stigma that Jaguar suffered from of the ‘old man’ label. Maybe because the older chap who favoured the Volvo didn’t have a predisposition to being the local community UKIP representative and general golf club bore. They haven’t even seemed to carry the stigma of being the preferred chariot of the original middle class lentalist.

They seem to be in the sweet spot that Audi were in the 80s and early 90s?

The interiors of the latest ones are lovely. I’d say they were far nicer and classier cabins than anything from the German side.

The current big estate looks lovely. A very elegant car. And the earlier wardrobes were also nice cars.

[Bennet]

You want a shed estate that's fun to drive?

I'm quite enjoying my new MG ZT-T at the moment. It's had niggles to sort, but it's quite good to drive and is more interesting to look at than a Volvo.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Get one of these: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201... witha Polestar map about 230bhp and 4x4

Great cars! On initial first drive they seem almost dated and wallowly to drive ...however once you have lived with one for a few weeks they really grow on you ...even more so in the Winter. 4x4 system is great in the countryside as you can actually use all the power on slippery junctions and in the rain. Great boot, amazing stereo

As sad as it sounds its a great car to drive slowly, its really well insulated and comfy so you can cruise around, the engine and gearbox in comfort mode remind me of a lazy rover v8 (bar the noise) , in sports mode the acceleration ins great. On motorways everyone moves out your way,, get a white one and everyone thinks you are the police

Once it gets covered in mud it fits in anywhere from a rough estate to a posh manor house as it doesn't stand out or look chinzy

Load carrying is immense, fit a family of 5 and 2 dogs with ease.

Did a 500 mile trip with no stops and still felt fresh at the end a couple of days ago

Only downside is they are pricey to run and buy .

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Tuesday 9th January 09:18

[Fastchas]

To truly understand and love Volvos you need to start at the bottom and work your way up, kinda like a rite of passage.
I would start with a 245dl...

[brrapp]

indapendentlee said:

My old boy just bought a V70 Cross Country (not XC70, the earlier one) - wonderful piece of kit for a couple of grand - waft-fest but that's why it's so great!

Yes, I had one of these. One of my favourite cars ever, it just suited me perfectly. Big bumbling and a bit boring looking but tough and surprisingly powerful in a Qcar sort of way. Loved the 5 cylinder growl and my son used to bore his friends telling them it had a Focus ST engine.
My wife hated it however, she was convinced it wanted to kill her a la 'Christine'.

[Ninja59]

My dad has had his V60 Polestar for nearing on a year. He may be retired and in his 60's, but my god he seems to be reliving his youth and enjoys driving!

Probably down to the fact that his despite been the 2.0 litre 4 pot the supercharging and turbcharging more than make up for the drama, even the box which is AW is decent (although from memory it is not standard in the Polestar).

[ExPat2B]

I have had quite a similar car history to your, various V8 saloons, hot hatches, and I went through a jap coupe/sportscar phase.

Currently have a V70 D5 for family/kayak duties.

Its a nice car to roll around it, gets very good economy at speed and under acceleration. One of my favorite cars to drive on the Motorway, comfortable, relaxed, quiet and torquey, very stable under braking. Everything is well judged with just the right heft to it.

However, its not a car to drive at the limits of traction. It hates it. It gets all understeery and wallowy and the dampers start to bang and crash. I drive a Civic that just begs to be given revs and loves being at the limit of traction and is adjustable on the throttle. The Volvo is not that car. I don't care, because when I drive it , its full of kids and kit and I am not going to risk them by trying to 4 wheel drift round a corner, but its definately something to be aware of.

[S100HP]

I've had two. My first was a grand worth of XC70 "Ocean Race". It was dented and unloved when I got it, but it was a great car. I liked its looks, the ride, the 5 pot engine etc. Ended up selling it because the AWD wasn't working (common on that vintage). Probably my best ever car.

I then ended up getting a V70R, which was very good, fast, handled well etc, but the scare stories of borkage put me off, plus 20mpg.

I've a Volvo estate hole in my life now, I think I want another XC70....

Edited by S100HP on Tuesday 9th January 11:39

[S100HP]

S100HP said:

I've had two. My first was a grand worth of XC70 "Ocean Race". It was dented and unloved when I got it, but it was a great car. I liked its looks, the ride, the 5 pot engine etc. Ended up selling it because the AWD wasn't working (common on that vintage). Probably my best ever car.

I then ended up getting a V70R, which was very good, fast, handled well etc, but the scare stories of borkage put me off, plus 20mpg.

I've a Volvo estate hole in my life now, I think I want another XC70....

Edited by S100HP on Tuesday 9th January 11:39

and then a few days later I got my 3rd. I blame this thread

[GeordieInExile]

There was a V70R at the garage yesterday when I was taking my car in. Jet black. Looked really, really cool. The guy at the garage said they were doing loads of work on it. I'll get a pic next time if it's still around.

[Olivera]

GeordieInExile said:

There was a V70R at the garage yesterday when I was taking my car in. Jet black. Looked really, really cool. The guy at the garage said they were doing loads of work on it. I'll get a pic next time if it's still around.

Sounds like my old black V70R, always needing something fixed. It certainly looked the part, but unfortunately was a very poop car in almost every other respect.