10 months, six cars and still no further forward....
Discussion
I've been here before, mulling over what to do and what's the best option and I guess there's no definitive answer to it but I'll throw it out there, a fresh set of eyes and ears on the every developing situation may prove to be worthwhile.
Back story: Always had three cars - one sheddy Volvo estate, her car which did the whole family thing and a third car, in the garage to throw money and time at then be too precious about. Latterly the above were a 2005 V70 D5, an 07 V50 Sport diesel and an 05 Volvo V70R. You can probably see a common theme emerging already.
Anyways, we moved (not by choice, but that's another story) to our old house, in rural East Lothian and so in turn the garage was lost and the V70R had to go as it was simply too highly strung, too precious and with a new baby and life to contend with, it rarely got used. Off it went. I immediately thought I was in the the country set and bought an 08 Volvo XC70 which was an ok big car, but a bit dull and it had many issues so it sold. I went back to my old V70 D5 but was growing fed up of it's lack of excitement, more so after the V70R. It went. I bought a sheddy V70 D5 Geartronic, simply as it was there and cheap. It lasted three weeks.
I then donned my nostalgia pants and bought an old Volvo 850 T5 having debated what to get that would be a good all rounder - quick, fun, reliable, safe and interesting and with it marked my 14th T5. It was great and it still is to a degree - it's been reliable, its' good fun, different and yet still can manage the family thing as and when required but it's also old, deserves a better life than commuting 50 miles a day and being used as an old estate car. So, as great as it is, it's provisionally sold.
Now, the only constant has been my wife's V50 diesel... it's a Focus in a wedding dress with a French engine and it's been fabulous. It just runs and runs and runs. She's had it a couple of years and it's been utterly abused but it's actually worked its way into my heart. It's also the default main car and that's fine, it owes me nothing and I don't care about it that much. Recently it's needed some works - brakes, suspension and it's developed a clunk and with no garage and little spare time to dwindle on it and the old T5, wifey's patience is fading.
Back when we met, she had a new Up! on a PCP deal.... she'd grown tired of unreliable cars, big bills and so wanted hassle free. She's now suggesting we do similar as she knows a lack of time and space to maintain and tinker with cars is frustrating me and thus, my whining is frustrating her. So, she says lets keep the V50 as the main car and either get something new on a cheap deal, hassle free (!) or buy a cheap, sub £500 banger simply as a second car to get around in.
Still with me...
But, my thinking is no... crap idea as we do have a use for two estate cars, back up plan and all that. So, my thinking is her 213,000 mile V50 drops out from being the main family car and becomes "the shed" for commuting (it does 50mpg+) and for throwing crap in and generally not given a damn about, which is pretty much what I do just now bar the commuting. Once the old T5 goes, then get something that fulfils family car duties... something a bit newer than a 25 year old 850, a bit more refined, softer and economical but that is also an estate, can deal with trial by rural life (mud, snow, off road excursions be it planned or not) and is just a better place to be.
Budget, wouldn't be much sadly... up to £3000 I think however that still gets a lot of car - I've been torn between a few options and well, that's where I'll throw it out there and see what sticks or indeed, comes flying back.
Legacy of some sort... perhaps a Spec B estate
Bit left wing, but seemingly rather good, AWD, well built, interesting but with a 6cyl the fuel bills may be a bit hard to ignore
Another XC70, be it a miley P3 car or a tidy P2 car as long as it's not an auto
The P3 cars are nice but it'd be a tired one and the P2 looks a bit old these days and they can be very dear if they have AWD / D5 issues
Audi A6 Avant, diesel and Quattro
Huge, look good, AWD appeals but a 2.0TDi may be a bit flat and a 2.7 or 3.0 are total unknowns for me
Ultimately, must be an estate and AWD is desirable as snow or not, they're so much more capable and confidence inspiring on wet, muddy single track roads plus the regular venture in to fields and such like. Diesel seems to be the default choice given the miles we do (2750 a month combined) however I'm starting to ask myself if a petrol equivalent offers more value for money and not much less as far as running costs go. A 20.TFSi VAG engine was cited as being worth a look... 40mpg whilst hypermiling yet still a nice thing to drive as it were?
Just to add some science, I've worked out that her cars is averaging 1500 miles a month and I'm putting 1200 miles a month on my car... so we do a fair few miles.
Cool story etc and not sure what I hope to achieve but as said, just putting my thoughts out there.
Thanks
Back story: Always had three cars - one sheddy Volvo estate, her car which did the whole family thing and a third car, in the garage to throw money and time at then be too precious about. Latterly the above were a 2005 V70 D5, an 07 V50 Sport diesel and an 05 Volvo V70R. You can probably see a common theme emerging already.
Anyways, we moved (not by choice, but that's another story) to our old house, in rural East Lothian and so in turn the garage was lost and the V70R had to go as it was simply too highly strung, too precious and with a new baby and life to contend with, it rarely got used. Off it went. I immediately thought I was in the the country set and bought an 08 Volvo XC70 which was an ok big car, but a bit dull and it had many issues so it sold. I went back to my old V70 D5 but was growing fed up of it's lack of excitement, more so after the V70R. It went. I bought a sheddy V70 D5 Geartronic, simply as it was there and cheap. It lasted three weeks.
I then donned my nostalgia pants and bought an old Volvo 850 T5 having debated what to get that would be a good all rounder - quick, fun, reliable, safe and interesting and with it marked my 14th T5. It was great and it still is to a degree - it's been reliable, its' good fun, different and yet still can manage the family thing as and when required but it's also old, deserves a better life than commuting 50 miles a day and being used as an old estate car. So, as great as it is, it's provisionally sold.
Now, the only constant has been my wife's V50 diesel... it's a Focus in a wedding dress with a French engine and it's been fabulous. It just runs and runs and runs. She's had it a couple of years and it's been utterly abused but it's actually worked its way into my heart. It's also the default main car and that's fine, it owes me nothing and I don't care about it that much. Recently it's needed some works - brakes, suspension and it's developed a clunk and with no garage and little spare time to dwindle on it and the old T5, wifey's patience is fading.
Back when we met, she had a new Up! on a PCP deal.... she'd grown tired of unreliable cars, big bills and so wanted hassle free. She's now suggesting we do similar as she knows a lack of time and space to maintain and tinker with cars is frustrating me and thus, my whining is frustrating her. So, she says lets keep the V50 as the main car and either get something new on a cheap deal, hassle free (!) or buy a cheap, sub £500 banger simply as a second car to get around in.
Still with me...
But, my thinking is no... crap idea as we do have a use for two estate cars, back up plan and all that. So, my thinking is her 213,000 mile V50 drops out from being the main family car and becomes "the shed" for commuting (it does 50mpg+) and for throwing crap in and generally not given a damn about, which is pretty much what I do just now bar the commuting. Once the old T5 goes, then get something that fulfils family car duties... something a bit newer than a 25 year old 850, a bit more refined, softer and economical but that is also an estate, can deal with trial by rural life (mud, snow, off road excursions be it planned or not) and is just a better place to be.
Budget, wouldn't be much sadly... up to £3000 I think however that still gets a lot of car - I've been torn between a few options and well, that's where I'll throw it out there and see what sticks or indeed, comes flying back.
Legacy of some sort... perhaps a Spec B estate
Bit left wing, but seemingly rather good, AWD, well built, interesting but with a 6cyl the fuel bills may be a bit hard to ignore
Another XC70, be it a miley P3 car or a tidy P2 car as long as it's not an auto
The P3 cars are nice but it'd be a tired one and the P2 looks a bit old these days and they can be very dear if they have AWD / D5 issues
Audi A6 Avant, diesel and Quattro
Huge, look good, AWD appeals but a 2.0TDi may be a bit flat and a 2.7 or 3.0 are total unknowns for me
Ultimately, must be an estate and AWD is desirable as snow or not, they're so much more capable and confidence inspiring on wet, muddy single track roads plus the regular venture in to fields and such like. Diesel seems to be the default choice given the miles we do (2750 a month combined) however I'm starting to ask myself if a petrol equivalent offers more value for money and not much less as far as running costs go. A 20.TFSi VAG engine was cited as being worth a look... 40mpg whilst hypermiling yet still a nice thing to drive as it were?
Just to add some science, I've worked out that her cars is averaging 1500 miles a month and I'm putting 1200 miles a month on my car... so we do a fair few miles.
Cool story etc and not sure what I hope to achieve but as said, just putting my thoughts out there.
Thanks
Re: Legacy Spec B... it think you mean Left Field, as Left Wing paints a rather different picture! A cheap one of these will likely cost quite a lot of money to keep running.
The Audi 2.7 TDi is a great engine. I had an A6 in that configuration, manual. I could get high 40s, even 50mpg on a run without behaving like a blad in a cap turned the wrong way, innit. It’s a V6, so very smooth...silky smooth as The Zohan would say.
As far as I am aware, the 3.0 TDi is similar but a little thirstier, although not much in it, but only have first hand experience of the 2.7, which I thought was fantastic.
What about an old E-Class Estate? Favoured by Antique Dealers, due to the large Sideboards you can fit in the boot. You will struggle to find a manual one though.
Then again, you seem to favour the Volvos, so just find another of those. Whatever you choose, your budget being £3k will mean it will be older and perhaps leggier than ideal for the type of car you want, but then you have the t-shirt and know this already. Not sure there is a holy grail out there other than more of the same...similar.
The Audi 2.7 TDi is a great engine. I had an A6 in that configuration, manual. I could get high 40s, even 50mpg on a run without behaving like a blad in a cap turned the wrong way, innit. It’s a V6, so very smooth...silky smooth as The Zohan would say.
As far as I am aware, the 3.0 TDi is similar but a little thirstier, although not much in it, but only have first hand experience of the 2.7, which I thought was fantastic.
What about an old E-Class Estate? Favoured by Antique Dealers, due to the large Sideboards you can fit in the boot. You will struggle to find a manual one though.
Then again, you seem to favour the Volvos, so just find another of those. Whatever you choose, your budget being £3k will mean it will be older and perhaps leggier than ideal for the type of car you want, but then you have the t-shirt and know this already. Not sure there is a holy grail out there other than more of the same...similar.
Cheers
My budget logic is a bit warped... but perhaps also skewed by the fact I've mostly always bought at the lower end of the market then fixed the wrongs myself, but that was all well and good with plenty free time and a big garage but both are in short supply lately hence even keeping on top of the current cars is a challenge. The other issue as it were is my back ground is a) motor trade and b) salvage management and so I've been on the other side of the desk and thus, I'm not sure I could put a few grand into something modern, complicated and with the potential to outwit me and rack up huge bills. One serious failure and it'd be game over. At the £3k mark or less, you could walk away... just.
Having a go is another issue that has always been exactly that. There's a few cars I'd consider, on paper they all have positive points and do roughly the same job but it's almost impossible to try before you buy as it were. For example, I went to Wales for my last XC70 and having worked for Volvo back in the day, I knew roughly what I was getting. However, as much as Mrs Davie doesn't give a damn about cars, as long as it runs, has good heaters and all her crap fits in... she really didn't seem keen on the XC70. But how do you have a shot in say a Legacy Spec B, an A6 Avant or whatever... there seems to be bugger all for sale locally and so I'm prepared to travel to buy, but it's leap of faith.
I think I'm getting too granular in some ways but in others, I'm pretty open to a lot and to be honest would have no issues going away from Volvos for a while. The P3 V70 is hardly the finest car created, by a long way but again I'm losing track of the needs. Do I want 18" alloys? Yes. Do I need 18" alloys... No. But as for being granular, take the Legacy Spec B... some say the 2.5 or 3.0 non Spec B is as good, some say it's not. Then is a 6cyl just going to be too thirsty or would the performance it offers over say a diesel XC70 negate that. Would I get bored with an XC70 too quickly or is that mindset... when do I ever go for a run myself, but equally the 9 miles of single track / rally stage at 11pm on my way home from the back shift can be glorious at times. It's nice to have it if you need it.
I'm struggling but to fix the problem, first you need to understand the problem and I'm not sure I understand my problem but whatever it is, I've been unable to settle on a car for months. It feels like wanting to eat ones cake and have it too... I want some performance but also want to waft along in serene silence with a sleeping toddler on board. I want MPG but also want low repair costs. I want something nice, but not obvious. I want something rugged and capable and yet delicate and tactile as and when required. Do I need AWD... does it have to be a diesel... would an SUV of some sort be a better option.
My budget logic is a bit warped... but perhaps also skewed by the fact I've mostly always bought at the lower end of the market then fixed the wrongs myself, but that was all well and good with plenty free time and a big garage but both are in short supply lately hence even keeping on top of the current cars is a challenge. The other issue as it were is my back ground is a) motor trade and b) salvage management and so I've been on the other side of the desk and thus, I'm not sure I could put a few grand into something modern, complicated and with the potential to outwit me and rack up huge bills. One serious failure and it'd be game over. At the £3k mark or less, you could walk away... just.
Having a go is another issue that has always been exactly that. There's a few cars I'd consider, on paper they all have positive points and do roughly the same job but it's almost impossible to try before you buy as it were. For example, I went to Wales for my last XC70 and having worked for Volvo back in the day, I knew roughly what I was getting. However, as much as Mrs Davie doesn't give a damn about cars, as long as it runs, has good heaters and all her crap fits in... she really didn't seem keen on the XC70. But how do you have a shot in say a Legacy Spec B, an A6 Avant or whatever... there seems to be bugger all for sale locally and so I'm prepared to travel to buy, but it's leap of faith.
I think I'm getting too granular in some ways but in others, I'm pretty open to a lot and to be honest would have no issues going away from Volvos for a while. The P3 V70 is hardly the finest car created, by a long way but again I'm losing track of the needs. Do I want 18" alloys? Yes. Do I need 18" alloys... No. But as for being granular, take the Legacy Spec B... some say the 2.5 or 3.0 non Spec B is as good, some say it's not. Then is a 6cyl just going to be too thirsty or would the performance it offers over say a diesel XC70 negate that. Would I get bored with an XC70 too quickly or is that mindset... when do I ever go for a run myself, but equally the 9 miles of single track / rally stage at 11pm on my way home from the back shift can be glorious at times. It's nice to have it if you need it.
I'm struggling but to fix the problem, first you need to understand the problem and I'm not sure I understand my problem but whatever it is, I've been unable to settle on a car for months. It feels like wanting to eat ones cake and have it too... I want some performance but also want to waft along in serene silence with a sleeping toddler on board. I want MPG but also want low repair costs. I want something nice, but not obvious. I want something rugged and capable and yet delicate and tactile as and when required. Do I need AWD... does it have to be a diesel... would an SUV of some sort be a better option.
ruggedscotty said:
I have a 3.0 tdi a6 c7.... if you want a wee hurl....
I'm sat browsing such cars as we speak and the appeal is strong... they seem to be a lot of car for the cash and a big diesel estate with AWD does appeal on many levels. I've only ever driven one, a 2.0TDI but about 10 years ago and was left feeling like it was too big a car for the engine. Hence, a 2.7 or the 3,0 appeal more. I'd certainly be very grateful to have a poke around without a bemused used car salesman or private seller asking if I want to do a deal or if I'm just tyre kicking... deebs said:
I have nothing to add other than I'm in east Lothian too. Small world 
I need to learn how to multi-quote! My wife's a native, I emigrated here from Fife a year or so back. We're in the arse end of nowhere, all very lovely but it has brought with it many challenges... not limited to car choices either. Such is life. My current T5 seems to fit in well with the horsey set, quite good over the hill routes too being neither harshly sprung or scarily quick but it's just not suited to a daily commute to the big city nor as back up family transport to an ageing old V50 diesel. XC70's seem to be the thing of choice around here along with salmon trousers and a Border Terrier. Quite.
I have a 2.7 v6 quattro (c6) for my 3 times a week 80 mile round trip commute. I use it for all things, tip run, family wagon, airport runs. I have to say it is very comfortable and the engine is impressive and pretty bullet proof.
I think a 2.0l 2wd A6 Avant is to weedy, the quattro and 2.7 or higher is the way to go. The engine pulls like a train and is very unstressed. I have piled on 26K miles in just under two years and have had one bulb fail. The oil change is easy as well, if you use a suction pump as the oil filter is accessed from the top of the car.
My car is an estate and it swallows everything, my car was £36,000 in 2006 ( I have the original papers) with lots of extras's , so choose carefully and you could have a fully loaded executive car for peanuts.
I think a 2.0l 2wd A6 Avant is to weedy, the quattro and 2.7 or higher is the way to go. The engine pulls like a train and is very unstressed. I have piled on 26K miles in just under two years and have had one bulb fail. The oil change is easy as well, if you use a suction pump as the oil filter is accessed from the top of the car.
My car is an estate and it swallows everything, my car was £36,000 in 2006 ( I have the original papers) with lots of extras's , so choose carefully and you could have a fully loaded executive car for peanuts.
Edited by Harji on Wednesday 16th October 15:56
I currently own a 2.0l manual A6 Avant and can confirm that fully laden they are indeed...weedy. However it is extremely comfortable, huge inside (bigger than the V70 i used to have), and still does 40mpg!, so i can imagine one with a bigger diesel engine would be a goo option.
i only do 5k a year so a big diesel isn't for me unfortunately
i only do 5k a year so a big diesel isn't for me unfortunately
I still miss that V70 Davie.
How about keep the v50, and then just change the other one every few months of do keeping the interest and challenge of finding a replacement going as an interest?
The 5 series that replaced the v70 is still with us, but with 40k miles going on it since purchase, we now also have an A2 TDi. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s great, cheap as chips to run, and usually the first choice if we’re heading out somewhere.
How about keep the v50, and then just change the other one every few months of do keeping the interest and challenge of finding a replacement going as an interest?
The 5 series that replaced the v70 is still with us, but with 40k miles going on it since purchase, we now also have an A2 TDi. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s great, cheap as chips to run, and usually the first choice if we’re heading out somewhere.
I should bring some closure...
I've bought another old V70 D5... similar to the last one I had... and the one I had before that one too but there's a couple of key differences. First, it's not slowly dissolving from the inside out like my first one had sadly started to do and second, it's not handicapped by the worlds most hateful auto box like my second one. What it is, is possible 'shed' nirvana and thus is a 2004 V70 D5 with the original (and best) 163bhp diesel and mated to a manual gearbox. It's also a face-lift car, thus quite rare as I discovered whilst furiously browsing. It's also silver and has a black leather interior so I'm pleased with that as beige would last about 4 seconds in my hands. It's also done 241,000 miles... just run in etc etc.
Given Mrs Davie has buggered off out and the toddler has slipped in to one of his mild, 13hr comas... I'll justify my logic. Or try. The first D5 was great, basically the same car but in blue and bits of orange and an amazing tool / zero f*cks machine to sit alongside my much loved, much pampered and sadly departed V70R. The V70R went, I bought an XC70 because I thought it'd be all things to all men and I guess it was just too complex, too dull and too removed from the V70R and I never gave it a chance. The rusty D5 went and despite part of my "it has to g" logic being based on the fact that I wanted something faster / nicer... I ended up with another, this time a 185bhp and a Geartronic box. I was desperate. It had swirl flap issues and gearbox issues. I got rid quickly plus I continued to convince myself I wanted something faster / nicer.
I then bought the current but soon to be departing 850 T5 as I was hankering after a good all rounder... something cheap, fun, fast, cool, practical, cheap and that I could still be a car guy owning. It was superb, I adore them but I also failed to appreciate how little spare time I have and how hard rural w
ker lifestyle is on cars, more so cars that are nigh on 25 years old and need a lot of TLC to keep nice. Racking up 500 miles a week and using it as a skip, child carrier and not being able to keep it minty just became a chore. As did the fuel bills. Plus, she was starting to dislike using it as I was forever whining about how it was always filthy. It had to go but in the end she put up a fight so the car had to go, anything for a peaceful life and the 850 didn't really give me that. The final straw was accepting that the amount of solo, fun drives I had in it amounted to about 2... and I could beg / borrow /steal something twice a year that was far more rewarding / no hassle.
I did debate something newer / faster / better but a few things put me off. The fear of the unknown was one and as was putting a few grand in to something that could be one serious failure away from a huge bill, plus ultimately just now the cars are more tools to be abused than things to be pampered and with something shiny and winter on its way, I'd be just as frustrated as I am with the 850. So, I accepted that I'm not 18, it's not 1995 and what I actually use a car for and need right now is basically something big, safe and wafty to ferry a sleeping child along with something that'll do more than 27mpg and something I won't be bothered about being dirty, dumped in car parks, have crap thrown in nor be used to mow down wildlife and drive off the roads on a worryingly regular basis and if it could also be something almost disposable, then that'd maybe be good. And so hence, found myself migrating back to old Volvos... and eventually found exhibit A down in England last week.
Wifey is bemused. She was thinking more along the lines of a Corsa / Fiesta but we did find common ground in her suggestion of another VW UP! She had one before she ditched her cat and replaced it with me and liked it and as did I. But, the other factor is her current V50 is old, worn and starting to give issues plus our fragmented lifestyle / reliance on two cars means that two cars that can pick up where the other left off is very handy... and I didn't fancy my chances of getting a buggy, a scooter, a balance bike, 17 pairs of shoes, a potty, 6 handbags, enough food to restock Asda and a travel cot in the back of a VW Up! and plus, we both too too many miles and as great as little cars are, they have their limitations. Perhaps if we weren't living in the land that time forgot, an Up! would be grand for nipping to the shop but the shop is an 18 mile round trip... and thus she tends to buy in bulk. Perhaps should have considered a Luton van.
But I digress and I'm back to shed motoring and to be honest, quite looking forward to running both cars through winter without caring about how they get treated and the run back from the south in the D5 quickly reminded me how comfy and planted they are and with a 50 mile a day commute, that'll be quite nice as will 50mpg+. The V50 will remain for now too, it's almost worthless and it too is firmly in shed territory now and that's fine by me as it removes any paranoia about door dings or getting texts saying "I've got the car stuck in the field but it's ok, Liz is coming to pull it out with the Freelander" followed 20 minutes later by "Liz is also now stuck, John's away to get the tractor..." though the most distressing part of that escapade was that it's recently fitted Goodyear Ultragrip winters on 16" five spoke Ford steel wheels appear to have done little to improve its field crossing abilities nor it's ability to stop before wiping out yet another small deer or cute fluffy bunny.
Cheers for the replies... all were noted and to be honest, part of me is still tempted by a few things out there but until the dust settles and winter has been and gone, I think this was the right choice. That said, I watched her ladyship head off in to town on Saturday following a mild monsoon and as the flood water lapped around the headlights, couldn't but help think that an Alvis Stalwart may have been a more sensible purchase. Plenty room for her crap too and I'm sure door dents wouldn't be an issue.
Cheers
I've bought another old V70 D5... similar to the last one I had... and the one I had before that one too but there's a couple of key differences. First, it's not slowly dissolving from the inside out like my first one had sadly started to do and second, it's not handicapped by the worlds most hateful auto box like my second one. What it is, is possible 'shed' nirvana and thus is a 2004 V70 D5 with the original (and best) 163bhp diesel and mated to a manual gearbox. It's also a face-lift car, thus quite rare as I discovered whilst furiously browsing. It's also silver and has a black leather interior so I'm pleased with that as beige would last about 4 seconds in my hands. It's also done 241,000 miles... just run in etc etc.
Given Mrs Davie has buggered off out and the toddler has slipped in to one of his mild, 13hr comas... I'll justify my logic. Or try. The first D5 was great, basically the same car but in blue and bits of orange and an amazing tool / zero f*cks machine to sit alongside my much loved, much pampered and sadly departed V70R. The V70R went, I bought an XC70 because I thought it'd be all things to all men and I guess it was just too complex, too dull and too removed from the V70R and I never gave it a chance. The rusty D5 went and despite part of my "it has to g" logic being based on the fact that I wanted something faster / nicer... I ended up with another, this time a 185bhp and a Geartronic box. I was desperate. It had swirl flap issues and gearbox issues. I got rid quickly plus I continued to convince myself I wanted something faster / nicer.
I then bought the current but soon to be departing 850 T5 as I was hankering after a good all rounder... something cheap, fun, fast, cool, practical, cheap and that I could still be a car guy owning. It was superb, I adore them but I also failed to appreciate how little spare time I have and how hard rural w
ker lifestyle is on cars, more so cars that are nigh on 25 years old and need a lot of TLC to keep nice. Racking up 500 miles a week and using it as a skip, child carrier and not being able to keep it minty just became a chore. As did the fuel bills. Plus, she was starting to dislike using it as I was forever whining about how it was always filthy. It had to go but in the end she put up a fight so the car had to go, anything for a peaceful life and the 850 didn't really give me that. The final straw was accepting that the amount of solo, fun drives I had in it amounted to about 2... and I could beg / borrow /steal something twice a year that was far more rewarding / no hassle. I did debate something newer / faster / better but a few things put me off. The fear of the unknown was one and as was putting a few grand in to something that could be one serious failure away from a huge bill, plus ultimately just now the cars are more tools to be abused than things to be pampered and with something shiny and winter on its way, I'd be just as frustrated as I am with the 850. So, I accepted that I'm not 18, it's not 1995 and what I actually use a car for and need right now is basically something big, safe and wafty to ferry a sleeping child along with something that'll do more than 27mpg and something I won't be bothered about being dirty, dumped in car parks, have crap thrown in nor be used to mow down wildlife and drive off the roads on a worryingly regular basis and if it could also be something almost disposable, then that'd maybe be good. And so hence, found myself migrating back to old Volvos... and eventually found exhibit A down in England last week.
Wifey is bemused. She was thinking more along the lines of a Corsa / Fiesta but we did find common ground in her suggestion of another VW UP! She had one before she ditched her cat and replaced it with me and liked it and as did I. But, the other factor is her current V50 is old, worn and starting to give issues plus our fragmented lifestyle / reliance on two cars means that two cars that can pick up where the other left off is very handy... and I didn't fancy my chances of getting a buggy, a scooter, a balance bike, 17 pairs of shoes, a potty, 6 handbags, enough food to restock Asda and a travel cot in the back of a VW Up! and plus, we both too too many miles and as great as little cars are, they have their limitations. Perhaps if we weren't living in the land that time forgot, an Up! would be grand for nipping to the shop but the shop is an 18 mile round trip... and thus she tends to buy in bulk. Perhaps should have considered a Luton van.
But I digress and I'm back to shed motoring and to be honest, quite looking forward to running both cars through winter without caring about how they get treated and the run back from the south in the D5 quickly reminded me how comfy and planted they are and with a 50 mile a day commute, that'll be quite nice as will 50mpg+. The V50 will remain for now too, it's almost worthless and it too is firmly in shed territory now and that's fine by me as it removes any paranoia about door dings or getting texts saying "I've got the car stuck in the field but it's ok, Liz is coming to pull it out with the Freelander" followed 20 minutes later by "Liz is also now stuck, John's away to get the tractor..." though the most distressing part of that escapade was that it's recently fitted Goodyear Ultragrip winters on 16" five spoke Ford steel wheels appear to have done little to improve its field crossing abilities nor it's ability to stop before wiping out yet another small deer or cute fluffy bunny.
Cheers for the replies... all were noted and to be honest, part of me is still tempted by a few things out there but until the dust settles and winter has been and gone, I think this was the right choice. That said, I watched her ladyship head off in to town on Saturday following a mild monsoon and as the flood water lapped around the headlights, couldn't but help think that an Alvis Stalwart may have been a more sensible purchase. Plenty room for her crap too and I'm sure door dents wouldn't be an issue.
Cheers
Edited by Davie on Thursday 24th October 20:18
G111MDS said:
I still miss that V70 Davie.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing but I wish I'd held on to it. The problem was, with the V70R going and leaving me with just the old D5... I think it had left me missing something quick and shiny with a sense of occasion about it and having moved out here, thus lost the garage in the process, two cars (or three technically) just wasn't viable at the time. I definitely sold it prematurely and the XC70 that replaced it was just as complex as the V70R and a bit lifeless. Great tool, but I just never took to it nor the underlying feeling that it would ruin me financially should even the smallest issue arise. Having slogged it out for a year, I think I've grown to accept what I need and what I want remain poles apart and trying to satisfy my "want" just creates stress given the current situation. The T5 has been fabulous, but I'm frustrated that it's being used in a manner I wish it wasn't and hence, I've gone for another V70 D5 and for one very simple reason, the blue car was just superb at what it did... it's just taken me a while to realise that!
Anyways, for those confused... I bought my first V70 D5 from G111MDS.
Cheers
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