So I just bought an 850 T5...

[Big News]

My dear old Focus is getting on a bit now, it's still running great (other than it needs a new PAS pump) but I've been after something that can whisk me long distances with no fuss, carry the ever increasing amount of music gear I lug about with me and make overtaking effortless.

So, for £950, I've just bought a 1996 Volvo T5 estate. I'm picking it up on Saturday. Top-spec CD model, and an auto for wafting. Dead excited!







127k miles, FVSH until 100k, independent since then. Cambelt and gubbins 9k ago.

[Mark-C]

Ultimate Q Car and looks lovely. How much to fix the PAS?

Very tempted by these as a practical weekend toy. The mahoosive commute means I stay Diesel for daily but these are seriously tempting child/dog/tip carriers for when the Jag just isn't big enough.

[Nigel Worc's]

Nice cars, I had a normal 2.5 litre one.

A touch thirsty though, and the T5, like any performance car, can be a bit of a money pit.

[Big News]

Mark-C said:

Ultimate Q Car and looks lovely. How much to fix the PAS?

Very tempted by these as a practical weekend toy. The mahoosive commute means I stay Diesel for daily but these are seriously tempting child/dog/tip carriers for when the Jag just isn't big enough.

PAS pump is for the old Focus, but around £20 from a breakers yard!

[Davie]

Great cars though having had two autos, I'd sooner have genital warts than have a third! Great for wafting along at 25mpg but less great for enthusiastic drives down some challenging roads whilst barely making 15mpg in the process! A scabby, non-descript early manual estate with a remap would be nice for upsetting the local yoofs. Again.

[Big News]

Davie said:

Great cars though having had two autos, I'd sooner have genital warts than have a third! Great for wafting along at 25mpg but less great for enthusiastic drives down some challenging roads whilst barely making 15mpg in the process!

Great

To be honest, I spent 99% of my life on motorways or in town anyway, so I'm not too fussed! I do have some stunning roads here in mid/north Wales but you could have fun driving a Toyota Carina down them!

[morgrp]

Looks tidy - lovely - those Volan alloys look great

[jjones]

back in the day my boss had one of those, but the saloon model, great car.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

I love mine. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

[Davie]

I may be shot down here but if it were mine, I'd sell the Volans for strong cash and get a set of original 16" T5 wheels as a) it'll drive better b) it'll be less emotional when you melt the inevitable kerb in the snow and c) tyres will be less expensive plus for some reason, my old 855R had a weird habit of putting flat spots in the rims or putting bulges in the sidewalls. You could sell the Volans, buy a set of decent Columbas and have cash in the pocket = top shedding!

[m44kts]

Try and hit 90 in 2nd gear. That used to amuse me quite often in my 850. Auto.

Great cars though, I'd happily have another.

[Big News]

Davie said:

I may be shot down here but if it were mine, I'd sell the Volans for strong cash and get a set of original 16" T5 wheels as a) it'll drive better b) it'll be less emotional when you melt the inevitable kerb in the snow and c) tyres will be less expensive plus for some reason, my old 855R had a weird habit of putting flat spots in the rims or putting bulges in the sidewalls. You could sell the Volans, buy a set of decent Columbas and have cash in the pocket = top shedding!

Nope you're spot on, I was thinking of doing that anyway

Apparently the OSF tyre is nearing the end of its life so that might happen sooner rather than later.

[Davie]

Big News said:

Nope you're spot on, I was thinking of doing that anyway

Apparently the OSF tyre is nearing the end of its life so that might happen sooner rather than later.

Well, if it helps there is/was a chap in Bristol (via Gumtree) selling a set of four V70 T5 alloys with four good Goodyears for £150... I tried to buy them but he didn't seem interested in wrapping them up for a courier to collect so I got bored waiting and gave up trying. Might be worth a phone call if you're able to collect en route to somewhere?

[james280779]

You need to work the engine to get any real speed out of it, great straight line acceleration, very practical for carrying stuff, not so good at corners. This is why they made excellent motorway persuit vehicles.

[Changedmyname]

Big News said:

Great

To be honest, I spent 99% of my life on motorways or in town anyway, so I'm not too fussed! I do have some stunning roads here in mid/north Wales but you could have fun driving a Toyota Carina down them!

Yes nice car for these roads ,proper driving roads.

[Synchromesh]

These are superb cars. If you've got any questions or queries sign up on T5D5 - they're a good bunch (except Stedders ).

How are you finding the Autobox?

[Big News]

Synchromesh said:

These are superb cars. If you've got any questions or queries sign up on T5D5 - they're a good bunch (except Stedders ).

Will do!

Synchromesh said:

How are you finding the Autobox?

Picking it up on Saturday, I'll let you know then

[Steamer]

Proper AA badge on the grille too...

...Thats as good as a straw boater & picnik blanket on the rear seat!

[mattley]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

I love mine. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

What do you want for it?

[Ecurie Ecosse]

mattley said:

Ecurie Ecosse said:

I love mine. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

What do you want for it?

Apart from that question

OP, I would sell the wheels that are on it for around £300.

You can then use that cash to buy a set of V70 T5 "Perfo" 16 inch wheels, and the 302mm conversion kit (new carriers, same calipers) for less than the change.

Big difference.