154k Volvo V70....R you feeling brave?
Discussion
Bit of a long winded story but basically it was bought as a bit of bling to keep me happy having recently sold a couple of long term 90's cars I owned and also to replace said 90's cars as a more usable tool to ferry around a new born, ie it has Isofix, working air-con and such things that make life easier! I didn't use it much initially as I had the paintwork done and the the cambelt and such like replaced... then the little man arrived and with her ladyship not working, her Astra has found itself being used day in day out and as I still have my ever dependable old V70 T5 that I use daily for work and generally abusing, the R has barely turned a wheel in the past few months. Just sits in the garage, looking shiny aside for the odd run now and again.
I don't need to sell it but given the current set up, ie the R is just a bit too nice to run daily and abuse and her Astra is just a bit too small for full on family mode... can't but help think the sensible thing to do would be sell both and replace with one estate car that does everything and that she can drive daily and we can all use at the weekends. My fault really, it was a bit tired when I got it so would have been fine to abuse but now it's sort of progressed in to some sort of wannabe garage queen / high days and holidays car... which is nice, but well... you know...
A guilty pleasure I think... but a very nice one so the advert hasn't been written yet!
I don't need to sell it but given the current set up, ie the R is just a bit too nice to run daily and abuse and her Astra is just a bit too small for full on family mode... can't but help think the sensible thing to do would be sell both and replace with one estate car that does everything and that she can drive daily and we can all use at the weekends. My fault really, it was a bit tired when I got it so would have been fine to abuse but now it's sort of progressed in to some sort of wannabe garage queen / high days and holidays car... which is nice, but well... you know...
A guilty pleasure I think... but a very nice one so the advert hasn't been written yet!
Ahbefive said:
I don't get precious over mine, its my work car and is perfect for racking up miles amd stonechips in surefooted, total comfort.
Great cars but certainly not the kind of car to keep garaged and mint.
That was my intention when I bought mine... it was "just a car" to the previous keeper thus the paint work looked like ti had been washed with a house brick, the wheels were ruined and the interior was pretty rank. You know how it is though, you get the wheel refurbished (more so as they were leaking air) and then they look great but the paint looks even worse, so you get it machine polished and then the scratches and door dings stand out... so you get those done and whilst you end up with something very presentable, you then start to get nervous around kerbs and super market car parks! Great cars but certainly not the kind of car to keep garaged and mint.
Don't get me wrong, it's no show queen and to be honest I hate the fact it's sat getting little use but for me the minimal use is a result of the baby clobber being in her car... seat, sun blinds, mirrors and such crap that a small human needs to travel and thus swapping it all to my car is a pain in the arse, plus the wife prefers her car thus taking the R means she can't drive. Plus, work wise... I literally work a mile away and park in a less than desirable location, hence have kept my old T5 for knocking around in. But I absolutely agree that these things need used and should be used and to be honest, I'm actually disappointed at myself for not just driving it day in, day out... as I did with my old Gul 850 T5-R much to the disgust of some. But, situation dictates it just doesn't get the use it deserves and that's a crying shame. Granted, at least it won't breakdown when it's parked... well, perhaps!
Anyways, I digress... this has been a great thread and certainly helped me overcome "the fear" when I started looked for one, far too many scary stories online and opinions of doom so it was great to read about a car that was being used and suffered minimal issues... no more than X, Y or Z car. Quite sad to see that it's been sold on to be honest, feeling a tad alone now!
Cheers!
Ahbefive said:
Whats oh dear? My S60R has dark anthracite wheels from the factory.
Likewise. Though to be fair, I think the silver cars do suit the silver wheels slightly better... dark colours suit darker wheels.
This was something I spent many sleepless nights debating when I couldn't decide if I should get mine done silver or anthracite.
Went with anthracite but the car is black.
How are you finding life without it sir... left a bit of a hole or just glad to get shot?
I'm starting to lean more and more towards selling mine - just had bushes and such like replaced and now the DEM for the Haldex is away to be repaired (fingers crossed!) but it has that feeling like a big bill is just round the corner.
That said, for the first time since it arrived I had a free day recently so took it for a run on my own which ended up being a 270 mile round trip of the Highlands and despite its flaws, its bulk and its feeling of impending doom... it actually surprised me with not only how fast it is point to point but how well it handles.
Granted, it's an utter chore on rough / broken surfaces but then I keep telling myself it's on 45 series tyres and somewhat dim witted suspension so you can't have your cake and eat it.
Just catch 22... love the thing and worried I'll miss it, but equally just wondering if now is the time to draw the line and move on.
To what however is the thing that's making me think I'll hang on it it a bit longer.
I'm starting to lean more and more towards selling mine - just had bushes and such like replaced and now the DEM for the Haldex is away to be repaired (fingers crossed!) but it has that feeling like a big bill is just round the corner.
That said, for the first time since it arrived I had a free day recently so took it for a run on my own which ended up being a 270 mile round trip of the Highlands and despite its flaws, its bulk and its feeling of impending doom... it actually surprised me with not only how fast it is point to point but how well it handles.
Granted, it's an utter chore on rough / broken surfaces but then I keep telling myself it's on 45 series tyres and somewhat dim witted suspension so you can't have your cake and eat it.
Just catch 22... love the thing and worried I'll miss it, but equally just wondering if now is the time to draw the line and move on.
To what however is the thing that's making me think I'll hang on it it a bit longer.
I've not missed it to be honest. I feel liberated without the sense of impending doom. Granted the panda has helped significantly, it's just so chuckable and fun whereas the Volvo was like a fast armchair. I also like the fact I don't have so much money tied up in an older car.
No regrets here.
Might change this week tho as going to Wales in the panda. I'm sure the Volvo would be better for that kind of journey.
No regrets here.
Might change this week tho as going to Wales in the panda. I'm sure the Volvo would be better for that kind of journey.
Browsing eBay this morning and VBC is for sale!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
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