Volvo 'Image'

[XRMike]

Whilst driving my S60 home the other night I was surrounded by the usual BMW's/Merc's/Audi's that litter our motorways, it got me thinking about Volvo as a brand and where they sit. For me Volvo are very 'under the radar' even though they have very high spec cars like the T5 etc.
The days of Volvo being the older generations choice of car seems to have died off somewhat, with the R-design and Polestar packages volvo are bringing appeal to younger folks. In my opinion they deserve to sit in the luxury car sector, what are peoples thoughts?

[A900ss]

Certainly a cut above the Ford, Toyota and Honda mob but not quite there regard the Audi/BM/Merc cars.

I've spent a fair but of time in the newer Volvo's and they aren't to the same quality.

Having said that, I prefer their 'non-descript' image over the Germans.

[Baryonyx]

I have always loved Volvo cars. I loved Audi when Audi were like a German version of Volvo too. I was remarking to the missus the other day that it's interesting now that Volvo cars have really striking styling, but their remarkable turbo 5 cylinder engines and any real semblance of performance orientation has been dropped with the new look.

What a missed opportunity.

Still one of my favourite saloons ever, this one. I tried to buy this very car when it was on Car and Classic. The dealer wouldn't accept payment over the phone, even for a holding deposit (even though I offered the full price without haggling). Gone for good...

[Heliocentric]

XRMike said:

Whilst driving my S60 home the other night - what are peoples thoughts?

Your Volvo? Your Volvo or your dads?

Now you`re going to tell me its your wifes car aren`t you

[Axionknight]

Under the radar fore sure - but I like 'em, I know they aren't quite the "premium product" a Merc, Audi or BMW is but I own a new V40, had a C30 before that and preferred both of them to their German counterparts (A class, 1 series and A3) I have also owned an old 850 T5R, which was impeccably reliable and very well built - the engine was bomb proof and it didn't have a spot of rust on despite being registered at the end of 1995.

If I had to put them alongside other marques, I'd say Honda and VW, they are certainly better than Ford (who used to own Volvo), Vauxhall, Renault and the like - I have an 11 plate Clio RS200 as well as the V40 and despite the Clio being a great little car it isn't in the same league of quality as either of my "newer" Volvos, or even my girlfriends Suzuki Swift I'd say.

I'm 25 for the record and was 20 when I bought the C30.

Edited by Axionknight on Monday 21st October 21:37

[surveyor]

The image changed with the 850 Estate, which came into touring cars and knocked all the conventional cars for six. Volvo were shouting loud and high about it.

[XRMike]

Heliocentric said:

Your Volvo? Your Volvo or your dads?

Now you`re going to tell me its your wifes car aren`t you

At 27 and owning a Volvo I think I'll never get as lucky as having a wife (or unlucky!)

I remember when the 850 T5 was launched, 225 BHP was somewhat fantastic back in the early nighties and think in todays world the 2003 Meganes/Focus ST's/Leon Cupra R's etc are pumping out the same power standard.

[5hero]

Volvo didn't go under my radar when looking for a new car a couple of years back. Having our first child, the time came to move on from 10 years of Impreza ownership, the last being a new hawkeye STi. We, sorry, I was adamant we were not buying a people carrier and we both still wanted something a little nippy. Having test drove a few estates, we opted for the V50 T5 R. There was nothing else in that price range with the build quality we were looking for. Hell, it's far superior to all the imprezas we owned over the years.

In the 3+ years of owning the T5, I still haven't seen another one on the road (I like that ). It really is an excellent machine, superb sound system with the upgrade we opted for and 0-60 in under 7 seconds. Really cannot fault it, and still no rattles or squeaks!

We normally would replace our car every three years but not this time. It's a keeper.

[Mastodon2]

XRMike said:

I remember when the 850 T5 was launched, 225 BHP was somewhat fantastic back in the early nighties and think in todays world the 2003 Meganes/Focus ST's/Leon Cupra R's etc are pumping out the same power standard.

Those cars are giving up a cylinder and a few hundred ccs, 500ccs in the case of the Cupra R. The Sierra Cosworth was a more impressive comparison, having the same size and layout of engine, and making power figures that would take some 13 or so years for the hot hatch market to catch up on. Of course, it's not really an apples to apples comparison, as there are things like emissions, reliability, cost of manufacture etc to factor in.

[Axionknight]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

I bought mine as a stop gap a couple of year ago, but now wouldn't part with it for the world.

I think the pre-Ford Volvos have a classless image. The newer models are a bit more bling, but I think they have an image of quality and integrity.

Gratuitous pic of mine.

Very nice, looks well looked after at a glance,

I want my T5R back

[FRA53R]

According to my friends who aren't into cars they are still seen as boring, old people cars (I'm 26) To my more car orientated friends and many others I speak to who are interested in driving they are seen as comfortable, dependable and very capable, greater than the sum of their parts, brilliant for getting under the skin. I had a 940 estate 3 or so years ago and I loved it. My Dad is about to go back for the third time and he made comment that it feels like going back home. I don't see them as a luxury brand more a warm and comfortable, dependable Labrador of a brand. Something that I feel they are trying hard to lose now.

[XRMike]

Mastodon2 said:

Those cars are giving up a cylinder and a few hundred ccs, 500ccs in the case of the Cupra R. The Sierra Cosworth was a more impressive comparison, having the same size and layout of engine, and making power figures that would take some 13 or so years for the hot hatch market to catch up on. Of course, it's not really an apples to apples comparison, as there are things like emissions, reliability, cost of manufacture etc to factor in.

I agree its not as impressive as say the Sierra Cosworth, though, the T5 engine brought turbo power to the masses just like saab were doing.

[Heliocentric]

XRMike said:

Heliocentric said:

Your Volvo? Your Volvo or your dads?

Now you`re going to tell me its your wifes car aren`t you

At 27 and owning a Volvo I think I'll never get as lucky as having a wife (or unlucky!)

Actually I was driving a Volvo 120 when I was 19 yrs old, no Volvo now but many years on I still have a wife

[mercGLowner]

Our V70 2.4d R Design geartronic has just been returned after 42 months on lease. I absolutely loved it, the most comfortable car I have ever owned, utterly reliable, huge load space, understated yet purposeful road presence, and probably a match for any BMW or Audi I have previously owned. The seats are incredibly comfortable and I thought the auto box was excellent, the 175bhp was plenty for such a big car too. I even got 50+ mpg on the motorway (ok doing a long journey at about 65!)

I would have another in a heartbeat...

[mercGLowner]

Apologies, repeat post.

[anonymous-user]

They are Ok, but why do you say Bmw/Audi/Merc litter our motorways?
Nothing wrong with Volvo, but no need to put down the (superior) German brands.

[deltashad]

Do they sell Volvo's and caravans from the same dealerships?

[kambites]

In terms of image, I think the closest brand would be Saab and maybe VW. Not as pretentious as the German big three, but of similar quality in their own way.

[XRMike]

Jimboka said:

They are Ok, but why do you say Bmw/Audi/Merc litter our motorways?
Nothing wrong with Volvo, but no need to put down the (superior) German brands.

Doing 85 miles per day for work I tend to see plenty of 520d/320d/Audi A4 2.0 tdi's all normally in black/grey/silver, mostly in the outside lane ;-). German brands are great, I have much respect after owning various BMW's and my father also has a Merc but I guess after seeing so many per day you start to tire of seeing them. If I could afford a BMW instead of my S60 of a similar spec I would have one tomorrow.

[Axionknight]

deltashad said:

Do they sell Volvo's and caravans from the same dealerships?

What do you think?