The daily cars - Volvo and Nissan
Discussion
I thought that since I had already introduced the new arrival in my other thread here: http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t... I may as well introduce the rest of the ‘fleet’.
Here’s Dads Volvo V70. It’s a D5 model (02 reg, 163bhp), and we’ve had it since new (well ex-demo with 400 miles on the clock). I have to say it’s a fantastic work horse, spending most of its life just ploughing up and down the motorway between Southampton and Bromley every day for several years. After dad switched jobs to work in London the car wasn’t used as much, only when we did long journeys (and the uni trips). Over the time we’ve owned it been a very reliable car with plenty of space for us, and the boot is enormous. However I must say that since approx. 60k or so miles there were a few big bills, but that’s to be expected of such cars I think. At about 110k miles the clutch gave up in traffic, and the car had to be recovered. A 5 hour journey back home later the car had to dragged by the Micra (and pushed by people) up the small track to our house as the recovery truck was too wide. In the end there was a rather large bill for a new clutch to be put in, but to be honest I’m happy that the car managed this far on it considering its mix between town and motorway driving.
The Volvo is now on just over 130k miles but has again developed some faults that will end its time with us. The gearbox is crunching between 2nd and 3rd gear, and sometimes others. We’ve had this looked at and most definitely needs a gearbox rebuild (the changes are getting worse now). Also there is a funny noise coming from what we think is the turbo, it sounds like it’s just spinning, but not doing anything (but there hasn’t been any lacking performance – a topic I must get onto). In the end, mum and dad have been working over some numbers and considering the recent bills and unpredictability of faults with the car, dad has opted into a company car scheme. After a ton of searching we are now awaiting delivery of an Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI S Line – see configuration below of what the new car should look like.
Instead of dwelling of the faults on the Volvo I must get onto performance. It is really impressive and I can say hand on heart that I think that the 163bhp put out is plenty enough for everyday motoring. On the motorway it’s quiet and rides exceptionally well, the arm chair like leather seats hold you just right and support your back very well. Being a diesel and weighing several million tonnes of Swedish Volvoness it’s not the fastest car to go from 0-60mph, but when you get the chance to open it up on duel carriageways and motorways you can really feel the turbo and torque of that commonrail engine putting its power down, it isn’t too difficult to get to speeds plod wouldn’t be too happy about.
Looking back over the time we’ve had with this car it does make me a little sad knowing it’ll have to go soon. We’ve had it 10 years and its felt like a long time, and covered quite a few miles. If it wasn’t for the big bills and work it needs we’d happily keep the car running as the engine is fantastically strong and is by no means lacking in power. But again I look forward to the new arrival of the Audi especially as the insurance cover that dads work provides allows me to be a named driver on the policy (so long as dad is in the car with me)
Now onto the Micra. It was purchased in 2007 with less than 30k on the clock IIRC (I can never remember the mileage of it when we bought it) as a run around car for mum, but also something that my brother could learn to drive on that year, and for me when I started to learn in 2010. So with 5 years of motoring under its belt its now on just over 78k miles, and to be honest It’s stood up well in that time. It’s been punished by me and my brother learning to drive on it, and by me ragging it around a field every other week during the summer in Autotesting (and an Autosolo). I’ve got several opinions of this car as in the time I’ve driven it after passing my test in 2010 I’ve driven it day and night, come rain, come shine and even in the snow. It’s used as a commutermobile to get me to school sometimes, and has been seen on a couple of PH runs.
I guess of all the PH worthy cars, this has to be one of those at the bottom of the list. It’s not especially pleasing to look at, nor is it very powerful or fast, the seats give me back ache, and the noise isn’t very nice. The problem isn’t necessarily the car, it’s the driver
I keep driving it like a RWD sports car when it’s really, as some have said, ‘Mums Shopping Trolly’. If there’s one thing that has pleasantly surprised me is the pace it can get to. It will happily cruise at outside lane speeds on the motorway and keep up with traffic despite its 998cc 54bhp engine and given you’re in the right gear at the right time, can accelerate quite briskly too. The suspension is soft and the car rolls making it somewhat interesting (but fun) in the corners. What amazes me is that Nissan have managed to make suspension that wallows so easily (the car rolls when I close the door) yet has a hideous ride, you will feel every ripple
in the road!
The positive aspect is just how simple it is. The power steering and airbag really are the only so called luxuries, there is no abs or traction control. The wheels spin very easily in crappy weather, and the brakes do have a tenancy to lock easily in bad weather too. Despite this it’s a still a fun car, and it’s bought me reasonable success at Autotesting. I’ve learnt J Turns, Handbrake turns etc.. In this little car and won a few events against some people who have gone out and stripped out their cars taking it a bit more seriously than I do – and also some of the much loved original mini’s.
It’s difficult to summarise the Micra. As a town car it’s great. Its small, got a perky engine, bit boot and easy to park. As a motorway car there’s better out there, but it hasn’t been designed to be one so isn’t that great. It can get to outside lane speeds, but the ride is choppy, the wind noise is deafening and every time there’s a gust of wind the car is thrown about.
Ok, so maybe there are more interesting cars to read about But I hope you enjoyed this anyway
Here’s Dads Volvo V70. It’s a D5 model (02 reg, 163bhp), and we’ve had it since new (well ex-demo with 400 miles on the clock). I have to say it’s a fantastic work horse, spending most of its life just ploughing up and down the motorway between Southampton and Bromley every day for several years. After dad switched jobs to work in London the car wasn’t used as much, only when we did long journeys (and the uni trips). Over the time we’ve owned it been a very reliable car with plenty of space for us, and the boot is enormous. However I must say that since approx. 60k or so miles there were a few big bills, but that’s to be expected of such cars I think. At about 110k miles the clutch gave up in traffic, and the car had to be recovered. A 5 hour journey back home later the car had to dragged by the Micra (and pushed by people) up the small track to our house as the recovery truck was too wide. In the end there was a rather large bill for a new clutch to be put in, but to be honest I’m happy that the car managed this far on it considering its mix between town and motorway driving.
The Volvo is now on just over 130k miles but has again developed some faults that will end its time with us. The gearbox is crunching between 2nd and 3rd gear, and sometimes others. We’ve had this looked at and most definitely needs a gearbox rebuild (the changes are getting worse now). Also there is a funny noise coming from what we think is the turbo, it sounds like it’s just spinning, but not doing anything (but there hasn’t been any lacking performance – a topic I must get onto). In the end, mum and dad have been working over some numbers and considering the recent bills and unpredictability of faults with the car, dad has opted into a company car scheme. After a ton of searching we are now awaiting delivery of an Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI S Line – see configuration below of what the new car should look like.
Instead of dwelling of the faults on the Volvo I must get onto performance. It is really impressive and I can say hand on heart that I think that the 163bhp put out is plenty enough for everyday motoring. On the motorway it’s quiet and rides exceptionally well, the arm chair like leather seats hold you just right and support your back very well. Being a diesel and weighing several million tonnes of Swedish Volvoness it’s not the fastest car to go from 0-60mph, but when you get the chance to open it up on duel carriageways and motorways you can really feel the turbo and torque of that commonrail engine putting its power down, it isn’t too difficult to get to speeds plod wouldn’t be too happy about.
Looking back over the time we’ve had with this car it does make me a little sad knowing it’ll have to go soon. We’ve had it 10 years and its felt like a long time, and covered quite a few miles. If it wasn’t for the big bills and work it needs we’d happily keep the car running as the engine is fantastically strong and is by no means lacking in power. But again I look forward to the new arrival of the Audi especially as the insurance cover that dads work provides allows me to be a named driver on the policy (so long as dad is in the car with me)
Now onto the Micra. It was purchased in 2007 with less than 30k on the clock IIRC (I can never remember the mileage of it when we bought it) as a run around car for mum, but also something that my brother could learn to drive on that year, and for me when I started to learn in 2010. So with 5 years of motoring under its belt its now on just over 78k miles, and to be honest It’s stood up well in that time. It’s been punished by me and my brother learning to drive on it, and by me ragging it around a field every other week during the summer in Autotesting (and an Autosolo). I’ve got several opinions of this car as in the time I’ve driven it after passing my test in 2010 I’ve driven it day and night, come rain, come shine and even in the snow. It’s used as a commutermobile to get me to school sometimes, and has been seen on a couple of PH runs.
I guess of all the PH worthy cars, this has to be one of those at the bottom of the list. It’s not especially pleasing to look at, nor is it very powerful or fast, the seats give me back ache, and the noise isn’t very nice. The problem isn’t necessarily the car, it’s the driver
I keep driving it like a RWD sports car when it’s really, as some have said, ‘Mums Shopping Trolly’. If there’s one thing that has pleasantly surprised me is the pace it can get to. It will happily cruise at outside lane speeds on the motorway and keep up with traffic despite its 998cc 54bhp engine and given you’re in the right gear at the right time, can accelerate quite briskly too. The suspension is soft and the car rolls making it somewhat interesting (but fun) in the corners. What amazes me is that Nissan have managed to make suspension that wallows so easily (the car rolls when I close the door) yet has a hideous ride, you will feel every ripple in the road!
The positive aspect is just how simple it is. The power steering and airbag really are the only so called luxuries, there is no abs or traction control. The wheels spin very easily in crappy weather, and the brakes do have a tenancy to lock easily in bad weather too. Despite this it’s a still a fun car, and it’s bought me reasonable success at Autotesting. I’ve learnt J Turns, Handbrake turns etc.. In this little car and won a few events against some people who have gone out and stripped out their cars taking it a bit more seriously than I do – and also some of the much loved original mini’s.
It’s difficult to summarise the Micra. As a town car it’s great. Its small, got a perky engine, bit boot and easy to park. As a motorway car there’s better out there, but it hasn’t been designed to be one so isn’t that great. It can get to outside lane speeds, but the ride is choppy, the wind noise is deafening and every time there’s a gust of wind the car is thrown about.
Ok, so maybe there are more interesting cars to read about
But I hope you enjoyed this anyway 
Nice family fleet though inc the Boxster.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff