Discussion
I've just joined the forum today after quite a long period of time lurking! Thought I'd upload a write up and a few photos of my car so far.
So, after a few years of running a MGF and, despite reactions from friends, genuinely loving it, I thought it was time for a change. I'd loved having a RWD car with a mid engine, convertible etc but some things tire after a while. Like, for example, three consecutive winters causing the join between the door and window to drip water EVERY SECOND onto your leg whilst stuck in traffic. Despite whatever was done, the leak continued! Anyway, the MGF continued to plod along but I decided it was time for a change a couple of months ago.
Being a single 24 year old with no dog or obsession with IKEA, clearly a Volvo estate was the obvious choice!
I found a V70R for sale locally with (at the time) a remarkably low (!) 186,000 miles on the clock.
I absolutely love the car, I love how discreet it is, how comfortable and well equipped it is (memory seats, nearly every option I could ever think of including a fold out fabric bumper protector for loading the boot!) and how practical it is. I've had a canoe in the back of it, it takes four mates easily, and I'm chuffed with it. I think I got it for a bargain too - only paid £650 for it. That was with MOT for six months but no tax.
I've taken it on a couple of motorway runs and she's a perfect mile muncher too, I swear it's got the single most comfortable seats I've ever sat in.
In terms of what I've done to it so far, I've:
- replaced the NSF door lock, as the old one was duff and the alarm/interior lights etc didn't work
- replaced the old faded blackened headlights for newer, clearer ones
- Corsa C rear wiper replacing the boxy old Volvo option!
- neatened up the plates, 3/4 front plate and newer, rust and screw free rear!
- put Silvatec bulbs in the front & rear indicators
In the pipeline/imminently:
- New tyres!
- Brakes ready to go on - she's got the 302mm upgraded setup
In terms of her exterior condition, it's completely unmarked except for one scuff and barely a scratch on it. She definitely needs a machine polish though...
Here's a few photos of it taken last weekend with a friend just down the coast:
Gary.
So, after a few years of running a MGF and, despite reactions from friends, genuinely loving it, I thought it was time for a change. I'd loved having a RWD car with a mid engine, convertible etc but some things tire after a while. Like, for example, three consecutive winters causing the join between the door and window to drip water EVERY SECOND onto your leg whilst stuck in traffic. Despite whatever was done, the leak continued! Anyway, the MGF continued to plod along but I decided it was time for a change a couple of months ago.
Being a single 24 year old with no dog or obsession with IKEA, clearly a Volvo estate was the obvious choice!
I found a V70R for sale locally with (at the time) a remarkably low (!) 186,000 miles on the clock.
I absolutely love the car, I love how discreet it is, how comfortable and well equipped it is (memory seats, nearly every option I could ever think of including a fold out fabric bumper protector for loading the boot!) and how practical it is. I've had a canoe in the back of it, it takes four mates easily, and I'm chuffed with it. I think I got it for a bargain too - only paid £650 for it. That was with MOT for six months but no tax.
I've taken it on a couple of motorway runs and she's a perfect mile muncher too, I swear it's got the single most comfortable seats I've ever sat in.
In terms of what I've done to it so far, I've:
- replaced the NSF door lock, as the old one was duff and the alarm/interior lights etc didn't work
- replaced the old faded blackened headlights for newer, clearer ones
- Corsa C rear wiper replacing the boxy old Volvo option!
- neatened up the plates, 3/4 front plate and newer, rust and screw free rear!
- put Silvatec bulbs in the front & rear indicators
In the pipeline/imminently:
- New tyres!
- Brakes ready to go on - she's got the 302mm upgraded setup
In terms of her exterior condition, it's completely unmarked except for one scuff and barely a scratch on it. She definitely needs a machine polish though...
Here's a few photos of it taken last weekend with a friend just down the coast:
Gary.
Edited by GazV70R on Thursday 5th December 15:15
Trtj said:
Hucking fell, what a bargain. Was it a gumtree job? Recognize that bimmer, is it off 'ere?
Why thank you!Yes indeed, found lurking in the depths of Gumtree, and offered a silly cash bid. I went to view the car hoping I'd hate it, I opened it up on the Spur Road out of Bournemouth and
I had to have it.The BM is indeed off here, a friend of mine who lives over in Southampton that I know from many moons ago!
I've got an 850 manual estate T5 and love it.
A year older than your V70 and I love how practical it is.
Had a washing machine in it as well as a tumble dryer. Tyres, wardrobes, a great big record player unit thing, chairs, tables. Seats fold flat so could sleep in it if required.
Nice enough to look after but not a 'shed' either. A good balance.
Heated seats that work too. Nothing has bust or fell off.
Tow bar provides an extra buffer to damage other idiots careless parking too.
Top price there as well.
Good purchasing action.
A year older than your V70 and I love how practical it is.
Had a washing machine in it as well as a tumble dryer. Tyres, wardrobes, a great big record player unit thing, chairs, tables. Seats fold flat so could sleep in it if required.
Nice enough to look after but not a 'shed' either. A good balance.
Heated seats that work too. Nothing has bust or fell off.
Tow bar provides an extra buffer to damage other idiots careless parking too.
Top price there as well.
Good purchasing action.
I love it. There has always been something special about fast Volvo's. Think it spans from my mum and dad having quite a few Volvo estates when I was little and loved them.
You got yourself a right bargain there. I was searching for the price and was gobsmacked when I saw it.
I think the small plate looks good and it suits the car and I love the way the Silvatec bulbs look on it.
Is this one front wheel drive as I know you get an AWD version but I think that has two exhaust if I remember?
You got yourself a right bargain there. I was searching for the price and was gobsmacked when I saw it.
I think the small plate looks good and it suits the car and I love the way the Silvatec bulbs look on it.
Is this one front wheel drive as I know you get an AWD version but I think that has two exhaust if I remember?
BlimeyCharlie said:
I've got an 850 manual estate T5 and love it.
A year older than your V70 and I love how practical it is.
Had a washing machine in it as well as a tumble dryer. Tyres, wardrobes, a great big record player unit thing, chairs, tables. Seats fold flat so could sleep in it if required.
Nice enough to look after but not a 'shed' either. A good balance.
Heated seats that work too. Nothing has bust or fell off.
Tow bar provides an extra buffer to damage other idiots careless parking too.
Top price there as well.
Good purchasing action.
They are awesome aren't they? The fold flat front passenger seat is genius too (going a bit Mumsnet here)...A year older than your V70 and I love how practical it is.
Had a washing machine in it as well as a tumble dryer. Tyres, wardrobes, a great big record player unit thing, chairs, tables. Seats fold flat so could sleep in it if required.
Nice enough to look after but not a 'shed' either. A good balance.
Heated seats that work too. Nothing has bust or fell off.
Tow bar provides an extra buffer to damage other idiots careless parking too.
Top price there as well.
Good purchasing action.
You're right, not quite Shed but a great daily driver. And the heated seats are seriously hot!!
Thanks very much
mak2503 said:
I love it. There has always been something special about fast Volvo's. Think it spans from my mum and dad having quite a few Volvo estates when I was little and loved them.
You got yourself a right bargain there. I was searching for the price and was gobsmacked when I saw it.
I think the small plate looks good and it suits the car and I love the way the Silvatec bulbs look on it.
Is this one front wheel drive as I know you get an AWD version but I think that has two exhaust if I remember?
Thanks. General consensus seems pretty positive for this! You got yourself a right bargain there. I was searching for the price and was gobsmacked when I saw it.
I think the small plate looks good and it suits the car and I love the way the Silvatec bulbs look on it.
Is this one front wheel drive as I know you get an AWD version but I think that has two exhaust if I remember?
Love the small front plate personally, and you're right, it does seem to suit the car.
It is indeed FWD - I think the two exhausts were on all of them but simply on later cars (but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong). I personally prefer one exhaust, looks a bit more subtle on these. The duplex systems look almost aftermarket in my eyes!
I think the AWD ones have a reputation of having slightly delicate four wheel drive systems, I wanted to keep it simple (but it's a little powerful for FWD!)
Synchromesh said:
Meh...
...is what the number the plates say, but I do have a soft spot for fast Volvos (used to own an S60 T5). At £650 that's a ridiculous bargain!
Loved the plate when I saw it! Suitable given its discreet nature ...is what the number the plates say, but I do have a soft spot for fast Volvos (used to own an S60 T5). At £650 that's a ridiculous bargain!
For the price of a SIM free smartphone you really can't go far wrong.
Synchromesh said:
Agreed, when I bought my £350 BMW on iPhone 5S launch day I made the same comparisons myself! I don't know if it says more about how cheap cars car, or how expensive tech is?
Both! Haha.When my phone got stolen (uninsured) a few years ago I stupidly bought a new iPhone, only because Apple were running a 0% APR deal.
Total payable was £599....weird to think that my car is worth £51 more than my phone.
I can't even fill the tank for that!
Trtj said:
Hucking fell, what a bargain. Was it a gumtree job? Recognize that bimmer, is it off 'ere?
That would be mine. 
the BMW was also a cheap Gumtree find... the subjects of the photos were collectively around £1400, and have 430bhp between them. Bargain bucket speed!Good to see you getting the 'wardrobe on wheels' on here Gary... unfortunately the front lights didn't survive the bin, but I'll grab some from eBay/Silverlake next time I can!
Very nice!
I was looking at V70/S70R's recently, they seem to be great value, better value than a good 850R which seem to still hold their money fairly well.
I loved my 850R and miss it dearly, but after an 850 T5 followed by an 850R I had discounted the V70R as being more of the same in favour of a 9-5 Aero for my next swede barge fix.
Seeing pics of yours has me in two minds again!! Looks lovely
I was looking at V70/S70R's recently, they seem to be great value, better value than a good 850R which seem to still hold their money fairly well.
I loved my 850R and miss it dearly, but after an 850 T5 followed by an 850R I had discounted the V70R as being more of the same in favour of a 9-5 Aero for my next swede barge fix.
Seeing pics of yours has me in two minds again!! Looks lovely
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff