Is an import V70R a mental decision?
Discussion
I've got a Saab 95 Aero estate, it's been a good old family wagon/dog/bike carrier but it's getting a bit tired and starting to niggle me a bit. It was bought as a temporary replacement for a phase 2 V70R which I loved dearly but was written off after a careless person didn't apply the handbrake properly - their car rolled down the hill and hit my V70 propelling it into the house next door. It was a sad, sad day.
7 years later, I still have the Aero. What to replace the Aero with? I like the seats, I like the performance, I like being able to put the seats down and chuck an mtb wheels on in the back. I like the vertical split load bay grill thing that provides a space for the greyhound and space for luggage. I'm not bothered by it's fuel consumption. I'd buy another auto Aero if I could find a decent one. Missed that one on ebay a couple of weeks back.
Other cars in the household are a Swift Sport and a rusty old e36 so shopping and regret covered separately there.
I don't really want to chuck 20k at a V90 or a 540 or a Superb 280. I don't do that many miles but I'm drawn to an import V70R. I've had a few volvos, learnt to drive and took my test in a 240 estate, had a 360glt, 850 se, 850 t5, s70 t5, 940 turbo and the V70 so I have form and I think I'd probably quite like another.
Is an import V70R going to be a nightmare? Are geartronic gearboxes made of chocolate? Do the tyres all need to be within 0.01 mm wear or the car explodes? Do they need to be wax oiled? Does the radio pick up Radio 4? Am I going to get reamed on insurance? Can I live with an orange leather interior without gouging my eyes out....
7 years later, I still have the Aero. What to replace the Aero with? I like the seats, I like the performance, I like being able to put the seats down and chuck an mtb wheels on in the back. I like the vertical split load bay grill thing that provides a space for the greyhound and space for luggage. I'm not bothered by it's fuel consumption. I'd buy another auto Aero if I could find a decent one. Missed that one on ebay a couple of weeks back.
Other cars in the household are a Swift Sport and a rusty old e36 so shopping and regret covered separately there.
I don't really want to chuck 20k at a V90 or a 540 or a Superb 280. I don't do that many miles but I'm drawn to an import V70R. I've had a few volvos, learnt to drive and took my test in a 240 estate, had a 360glt, 850 se, 850 t5, s70 t5, 940 turbo and the V70 so I have form and I think I'd probably quite like another.
Is an import V70R going to be a nightmare? Are geartronic gearboxes made of chocolate? Do the tyres all need to be within 0.01 mm wear or the car explodes? Do they need to be wax oiled? Does the radio pick up Radio 4? Am I going to get reamed on insurance? Can I live with an orange leather interior without gouging my eyes out....
tomwilliams0326 said:
All I can say insurance companies hate imported cars, the difference in a 350z and a same year import 350z was like £1k, just for it to be sold in a different country, insurance blows my bloody mind sometimes
No they don't; what a load of b
ks...Find the right insurance company and they'll be absolutely fine. I've owned lots of imports, never been ripped off at all. My current Jap import BMW touring insurance is just over £350 a year and that's with an agreed valuation etc...
It's all about shopping around and speaking to the insurers that know what they're doing, specialists such as AF, Sky, Chris Knott etc
nosuchuser said:
I've got a Saab 95 Aero estate, it's been a good old family wagon/dog/bike carrier but it's getting a bit tired and starting to niggle me a bit. It was bought as a temporary replacement for a phase 2 V70R which I loved dearly but was written off after a careless person didn't apply the handbrake properly - their car rolled down the hill and hit my V70 propelling it into the house next door. It was a sad, sad day.
7 years later, I still have the Aero. What to replace the Aero with? I like the seats, I like the performance, I like being able to put the seats down and chuck an mtb wheels on in the back. I like the vertical split load bay grill thing that provides a space for the greyhound and space for luggage. I'm not bothered by it's fuel consumption. I'd buy another auto Aero if I could find a decent one. Missed that one on ebay a couple of weeks back.
Other cars in the household are a Swift Sport and a rusty old e36 so shopping and regret covered separately there.
I don't really want to chuck 20k at a V90 or a 540 or a Superb 280. I don't do that many miles but I'm drawn to an import V70R. I've had a few volvos, learnt to drive and took my test in a 240 estate, had a 360glt, 850 se, 850 t5, s70 t5, 940 turbo and the V70 so I have form and I think I'd probably quite like another.
Is an import V70R going to be a nightmare? Are geartronic gearboxes made of chocolate? Do the tyres all need to be within 0.01 mm wear or the car explodes? Do they need to be wax oiled? Does the radio pick up Radio 4? Am I going to get reamed on insurance? Can I live with an orange leather interior without gouging my eyes out....
There are a few V70R AWD imports local to me and I have considered them as a replacement for my import E39 touring...7 years later, I still have the Aero. What to replace the Aero with? I like the seats, I like the performance, I like being able to put the seats down and chuck an mtb wheels on in the back. I like the vertical split load bay grill thing that provides a space for the greyhound and space for luggage. I'm not bothered by it's fuel consumption. I'd buy another auto Aero if I could find a decent one. Missed that one on ebay a couple of weeks back.
Other cars in the household are a Swift Sport and a rusty old e36 so shopping and regret covered separately there.
I don't really want to chuck 20k at a V90 or a 540 or a Superb 280. I don't do that many miles but I'm drawn to an import V70R. I've had a few volvos, learnt to drive and took my test in a 240 estate, had a 360glt, 850 se, 850 t5, s70 t5, 940 turbo and the V70 so I have form and I think I'd probably quite like another.
Is an import V70R going to be a nightmare? Are geartronic gearboxes made of chocolate? Do the tyres all need to be within 0.01 mm wear or the car explodes? Do they need to be wax oiled? Does the radio pick up Radio 4? Am I going to get reamed on insurance? Can I live with an orange leather interior without gouging my eyes out....
Insurance costs were a bit higher as they're more powerful; coming in around £500-£600 with an agreed value etc; I currently pay just over £350 with an agreed value on my touring...
But as for the Ovlovs running costs and potential bork factor; that I'm unsure of and haven't done a massive amount of research. But if not done, I'd want the belts and fluids done ASAP and they look to be a c£1k job minimum all in
tomwilliams0326 said:
All I can say insurance companies hate imported cars, the difference in a 350z and a same year import 350z was like £1k, just for it to be sold in a different country, insurance blows my bloody mind sometimes
Not sure where you get that from. My JDM STI Spec C RA costs me £500 a year which is exactly how much the quotes were for a UK STi.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff