Which old Volvo?
Discussion
In a lifetime of never actually going out to buy a specific car, just trawling through whatever sheds are available cheaply and locally, I've ended up with a few old Volvos in the past.
When I think back on my long list of exes (probably close to 40 in 40 years of driving), by far the ones who bring back the most sweet memories of fun times, solid reliability, and toughness, have been the Volvos.
I don't think I ever repaid their faithfulness, using and (severely) abusing them and casting them aside for the next plaything as soon as something new caught my eye.
Now, in my approaching dotage, I think I'm ready to make amends, find some used and abused old tub and look after and cherish her for the rest of our crumbling lives together.
Amazons have long since sailed out of my price range, even the humble 240 is being recognised as a future classic or a cool hipster wagon and I think it'll be too hard to find a good lowish mileage one for a reasonable price. That leaves me with either the 740/960 range, an 850, or a C/S/V70 in my price range (cheap as possible).
I like a rwd with a bit of power so 960 is definitely on the list. I think a good 850 (T5 or R) is likely to appreciate in the very near future so is also in there. My favourite of my previous Volvos was a 1998 V70xc with the 5 cylinder petrol turbo (her name was Christine and my wife hated her) so I'd love to dabble into my past with one of those. The most practical would be a diesel V70, still with 5 cylinders and pretty much the same power/torque as the petrol but half the fuel consumption. If I were to slum it and go for a saloon or convertible, I could probably half the price of a decent estate and more likely to find something low mileage.
Decisions, decisions... Has anyone got any advice/suggestions/comments?
When I think back on my long list of exes (probably close to 40 in 40 years of driving), by far the ones who bring back the most sweet memories of fun times, solid reliability, and toughness, have been the Volvos.
I don't think I ever repaid their faithfulness, using and (severely) abusing them and casting them aside for the next plaything as soon as something new caught my eye.
Now, in my approaching dotage, I think I'm ready to make amends, find some used and abused old tub and look after and cherish her for the rest of our crumbling lives together.
Amazons have long since sailed out of my price range, even the humble 240 is being recognised as a future classic or a cool hipster wagon and I think it'll be too hard to find a good lowish mileage one for a reasonable price. That leaves me with either the 740/960 range, an 850, or a C/S/V70 in my price range (cheap as possible).
I like a rwd with a bit of power so 960 is definitely on the list. I think a good 850 (T5 or R) is likely to appreciate in the very near future so is also in there. My favourite of my previous Volvos was a 1998 V70xc with the 5 cylinder petrol turbo (her name was Christine and my wife hated her) so I'd love to dabble into my past with one of those. The most practical would be a diesel V70, still with 5 cylinders and pretty much the same power/torque as the petrol but half the fuel consumption. If I were to slum it and go for a saloon or convertible, I could probably half the price of a decent estate and more likely to find something low mileage.
Decisions, decisions... Has anyone got any advice/suggestions/comments?
Edited by Desiderata on Monday 24th February 09:10
I'm also a Volvo fan but haven't had one of the fast ones, 2 x XC90, 240 GL, S40, V70 S1 and currently V60 D3.
Did a little search and there's a few interesting cars around.
V70R
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70R-2-3-Turbo-Au...
850 T5
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-Volvo-850-2-3-Turb...
Did a little search and there's a few interesting cars around.
V70R
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70R-2-3-Turbo-Au...
850 T5
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1996-Volvo-850-2-3-Turb...
I’d always go for an 850 over a V70, they’re just a bit more old school and charming. Easier to maintain too, although some less commonly needed parts are starting to get a little tricky as you’d expect from a “modern classic”.
I’m currently smoking around in a 1995 850 T5 with nearly 200k miles on it and it’s great - largely because the previous owners mechanically refreshed it too to bottom!
They hide abuse very well, try to drive several. A baggy one will feel markedly different to one that’s been given some love.
I’m currently smoking around in a 1995 850 T5 with nearly 200k miles on it and it’s great - largely because the previous owners mechanically refreshed it too to bottom!
They hide abuse very well, try to drive several. A baggy one will feel markedly different to one that’s been given some love.
Similar to above, owned a '95 850 T5 Estate for 18 months now, and absolutely love it... The boggo T5 seems to be more rare than the T5R or R, possibly assisted by the imported stuff..... 90k miles on mine and paid £1500 for it, Like it so much I'm thinking of getting it fully resprayed (laquer peeling off metallic red paintwork).. Damn thing's like the automotive version of a Swiss army knife 
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