The Joy of Running an Old Shed (Vol 2)

[LR90]

What are everyone's thoughts on Mk6 Golfs? I know German stuff doesn't get the best rep here, but this has cropped up close to me: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404158...

It's a NA petrol, so probably not too much to go wrong, right? Right?

[r3g]

LR90 said:

What are everyone's thoughts on Mk6 Golfs? I know German stuff doesn't get the best rep here, but this has cropped up close to me: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404158...

It's a NA petrol, so probably not too much to go wrong, right? Right?

VWs of that area are renowned for eating bushes and fluid pissing out of the shockers. Very rare for us to pass those without advisories at the minimum. Check the history to see if they've been done as there's a fair bit of labour if the bolts are seized.

[SD_1]

I'm going to be picking up a shed fairly soon and a nice looking 2007 Volvo S80 has popped up nearby. Trouble is it's an automatic. Are those the gearboxes that like to break with alarming frequency?

[p4cks]

LR90 said:

What are everyone's thoughts on Mk6 Golfs? I know German stuff doesn't get the best rep here, but this has cropped up close to me: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404158...

It's a NA petrol, so probably not too much to go wrong, right? Right?

The 1.6 petrol is OK. Not particularly frugal. Common problems on these are sticky rear calipers which need replacing

[Bonefish Blues]

@SD 1

Again?

TF80S boxes are very good. Volvo's declaration of their being sealed for life not so good. Balance the two. I buy them quite happily and have never had an issue. Others say different. If you do, check it carefully when fully hot, and legislate for an ATF change unless there's cast iron evidence they've been done.

Is that the one at c£3k from a guy on VolvoForums living around Manchester?

[Jazoli]

SD_1 said:

I'm going to be picking up a shed fairly soon and a nice looking 2007 Volvo S80 has popped up nearby. Trouble is it's an automatic. Are those the gearboxes that like to break with alarming frequency?

It’ll most likely be fine, I’ve had several of a similar vintage with no issues.

[SD_1]

Bonefish Blues said:

@SD 1

Again?

TF80S boxes are very good. Volvo's declaration of their being sealed for life not so good. Balance the two. I buy them quite happily and have never had an issue. Others say different. If you do, check it carefully when fully hot, and legislate for an ATF change unless there's cast iron evidence they've been done.

Is that the one at c£3k from a guy on VolvoForums living around Manchester?

Sorry not clued up on volvo models etc so not really sure what to search for! Had a flick through the last few pages but didn't see any mention of them.

Good info though, thanks. I must have been thinking of a different model. And no its up in Scotland where I am, sounds like it's worth a look and a decent test drive.

[Bonefish Blues]

SD_1 said:

Bonefish Blues said:

@SD 1

Again?

TF80S boxes are very good. Volvo's declaration of their being sealed for life not so good. Balance the two. I buy them quite happily and have never had an issue. Others say different. If you do, check it carefully when fully hot, and legislate for an ATF change unless there's cast iron evidence they've been done.

Is that the one at c£3k from a guy on VolvoForums living around Manchester?

Sorry not clued up on volvo models etc so not really sure what to search for! Had a flick through the last few pages but didn't see any mention of them.

Good info though, thanks. I must have been thinking of a different model. And no its up in Scotland where I am, sounds like it's worth a look and a decent test drive.

No worries - you're listening and feeling in particular for any banging into gear, or the revs flaring like a CVT box. Fully hot is the key as some symptoms don't appear when cold.

[QBee]

Bonefish Blues said:

SD_1 said:

Bonefish Blues said:

@SD 1

Again?

TF80S boxes are very good. Volvo's declaration of their being sealed for life not so good. Balance the two. I buy them quite happily and have never had an issue. Others say different. If you do, check it carefully when fully hot, and legislate for an ATF change unless there's cast iron evidence they've been done.

Is that the one at c£3k from a guy on VolvoForums living around Manchester?

Sorry not clued up on volvo models etc so not really sure what to search for! Had a flick through the last few pages but didn't see any mention of them.

Good info though, thanks. I must have been thinking of a different model. And no its up in Scotland where I am, sounds like it's worth a look and a decent test drive.

No worries - you're listening and feeling in particular for any banging into gear, or the revs flaring like a CVT box. Fully hot is the key as some symptoms don't appear when cold.

I had an older 850 T5 auto years ago and was warned that the auto boxes on large volvos had a habit of failing at 160-180k. So dire a warning that I sold it.
But that's probably a totally different gearbox - it was a 1995 car. One of these experts will know

[BricktopST205]

Veryoldbear said:

The good old Saab 9-5 estate, the practical shed, particularly if it's an Aero ... they can go like stink when pressed.

Stage 1 with a Chinese intercooler. Mainly because the old one was ballooned. Still 280BHP and 420NM for an old shed dog wagon is great.

[martin mrt]

I’m still running my sub £1k V6 Touareg, I might even do a readers rides thread on it.

It’s not been entirely faultless but it’s not been bad given the potential bork factor involved . It has needed a couple of front ARB bushes, a battery and a highlevel brake light as the light on the dash was doing my head in.

I found out the other week it even has heated rear seats. That work.

[7 5 7]

martin mrt said:

I’m still running my sub £1k V6 Touareg, I might even do a readers rides thread on it.

It’s not been entirely faultless but it’s not been bad given the potential bork factor involved . It has needed a couple of front ARB bushes, a battery and a highlevel brake light as the light on the dash was doing my head in.

I found out the other week it even has heated rear seats. That work.

Love the idea of that!

[redandwhite]

Bought this in January 2024 as a bit of a stop gap after moving my Panda 100HP on.

2006 Volvo C70 120k, 2.4i petrol, 5 cylinder, convertible

Sounds lovely, returns 25mpg (a 6th gear would help)

Its far from perfect , some bodywork scratches , needs a rear parking sensor and track rod ends, but the roof works perfectly.

Been working through a list of TODO job ahead of MOT time at the end of April.









Just started a Readers Cars thread here --> 2006 Volvo C70 2.4i

[mickythefish]

So after buying the Saab it broke down an hour later.i thought seller ripped me off but seemed decent. It just wouldn't start so changed battery same issue.

Rang RAC, they diagnosed starter motor. 200 quid latter, new battery, old one is mine so probably sell it if I can. Lost a few tools so bought a new tool set, etc.

So it is turbo edition and looks and drives very well, loads spent on it. Was grubby but cleaned it up and ticks all my boxes.

Great car to drive and feels a lot faster than 150 brake it should have. 11 months MOT 850 + 200 + 100 + 50 All in 1150 and half a tank if fuel as well.

[Mad Maximus]

mickythefish said:

So after buying the Saab it broke down an hour later.i thought seller ripped me off but seemed decent. It just wouldn't start so changed battery same issue.

Rang RAC, they diagnosed starter motor. 200 quid latter, new battery, old one is mine so probably sell it if I can. Lost a few tools so bought a new tool set, etc.

So it is turbo edition and looks and drives very well, loads spent on it. Was grubby but cleaned it up and ticks all my boxes.

Great car to drive and feels a lot faster than 150 brake it should have. 11 months MOT 850 + 200 + 100 + 50 All in 1150 and half a tank if fuel as well.

They still look better than a lot of new cars on the road.

[giblet]

Agreed. Granted I’m highly biased as I’m on my second facelift 9-3 and third 9-3 overall. Planning to give it a bit of a once over in the next few months.

I have a new shed due to be picked up at the end of the month as a joint ownership thing between my brother and I as his car will need some work soon and we used man maths to justify buying another car to keep us both mobile whilst our cars are sorted

[QBee]

giblet said:

Agreed. Granted I’m highly biased as I’m on my second facelift 9-3 and third 9-3 overall. Planning to give it a bit of a once over in the next few months.

I have a new shed due to be picked up at the end of the month as a joint ownership thing between my brother and I as his car will need some work soon and we used man maths to justify buying another car to keep us both mobile whilst our cars are sorted

My wife and I have had three sheds between the two of us for a long time now.
Two 20+ year old petrol Saab estates (we have dogs) and a 19 year old diesel Nissan X Trail (we have an array of things that need towing).
They break in minor ways quite regularly, so I just grab the keys to another one and keep going.
Also, I would choose one of the Saabs for a longer journey (so comfortable, and have cruise control), but the Nissan for local stuff and farm tracks.

I am not brilliant with things mechanical, and any half decent garage has about a 3 week waiting list.

[mickythefish]

I haven't timed it but 0- 60 mph feels very very fast. Lovely car, full leather, heated seats, etc. just stupid radio I need to sort out.

[7 5 7]

mickythefish said:

I haven't timed it but 0- 60 mph feels very very fast. Lovely car, full leather, heated seats, etc. just stupid radio I need to sort out.

I had the TTid a few years back, felt pretty brisk, looked very similar to yours, colour, wheels it was the Turbo edition also.

Only reason sold it was it was getting annoying being a saloon for all my work gear, if it was a wagon it would of stayed with me, but I liked the £30 tax it had being a late one.

Drive a 2008 Vectra C now, and believe it or not it reminds me a lot of 9-3, not in looks or performance of course - but it's overall feel, driving position and deminear, it is very similar - you can tell it is from the same stable with its chassis, and switch gear.

Hope it treats you well, wouldn't mind a petrol 9-3 wagon in all honesty.

[G111MDS]

219,000 miles now on the old Audi A2 TDi and just been serviced again by me through the week. 85,000 miles with us in just over 4 years. Serviced every 10,000 miles and seems to be doing fine.