Looking to buy a Volvo around £2.5k any model to avoid?
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a Volvo, I have looked at S40, both older model (95 to 04) and later version (04 on) and also S60.
I only want petrol, not diesel and don't mind if manual or auto, but seem to recall reading somewhere that the auto boxes are not very good?
Also ideally want 1.8 and up engine but petrol only, no diesels.
I rather like the 04 on V50 estates too.
Is there any model / engine that should be avoided?
Budget up to £2.5k but less is better of course.
Advice please!
Thanks in advance.
I only want petrol, not diesel and don't mind if manual or auto, but seem to recall reading somewhere that the auto boxes are not very good?
Also ideally want 1.8 and up engine but petrol only, no diesels.
I rather like the 04 on V50 estates too.
Is there any model / engine that should be avoided?
Budget up to £2.5k but less is better of course.
Advice please!
Thanks in advance.
Will be watching this thread with interest as considering S40 saloon petrol though at a slightly higher budget and ideally a 2.0. I assume the engines will be bulletproof and can take high miles if serviced regularly as same engines in Mk2 focus but curious if the electrics are as reliable in the S40?
Some of the Volvo faithful say too many Ford parts in the S40 but don't see that as a bad thing necessarily.
Some of the Volvo faithful say too many Ford parts in the S40 but don't see that as a bad thing necessarily.
S100HP said:
Need to narrow down what you want a bit in order to get some help and advice
I'll be changing from a 2000 BMW 523 (E39) which has a super quiet smooth ride.To narrow it down (a bit!) I'm not fussed about engine size, so long as it's 1.8 or bigger (I feel the 1,6 might be a little underpowered, although not driven one yet).
I have a preference for the S50 estate, as it ticks a lot of boxes - but again, I need to drive one ideally.
Auto would be nice, however I have concerns about the gearboxes, so manual is fine.
I do however tend to like larger cars, so not sure if the S50 will fit the bill - but from what I can tell, it's about the same size as the BMW 3 series (E46) from around 2000 ish. (that size is ok)
I also need the car to be relatively quiet - I don't expect BMW 5 series ride quality, but then I don't want to be deafened by tyre roar / wind noise either.
Think you best looking at a late P2 S60 or V70. The V50 is based on a focus so probably not what you're looking for.
I've had 3 V/XC70 and they've all been great. First was a XC70 with the 2.4 petrol and a manual box. Was enough power but it always felt like it would have been better with an auto. I then got a V70R which was a 5 speed auto. Was a great car but ride was pretty unforgiving and the potential borkage was a constant worry. I then ended up with another XC70, my current car, a 6 speed auto with the D5 engine. It's the best combination in my opinion. The auto really works with the car, and the engine is great.
Don't be put off an auto, the 6 speed found in later cars is much improved and isn't as prone to failure. Also don't discount a diesel, the D5 is an exceptional engine.
I've had 3 V/XC70 and they've all been great. First was a XC70 with the 2.4 petrol and a manual box. Was enough power but it always felt like it would have been better with an auto. I then got a V70R which was a 5 speed auto. Was a great car but ride was pretty unforgiving and the potential borkage was a constant worry. I then ended up with another XC70, my current car, a 6 speed auto with the D5 engine. It's the best combination in my opinion. The auto really works with the car, and the engine is great.
Don't be put off an auto, the 6 speed found in later cars is much improved and isn't as prone to failure. Also don't discount a diesel, the D5 is an exceptional engine.
You’re definitely in S60/V70 territory.
As said the D5 is a peach of an engine, and the later 6 speed autos were fine if not a little old school and ponderous.
Lovely cruisers that eat the mileage, and if you do a little preventative maintenance they’ll go on forever.
I’m on my 3rd V70 and 5th Volvo. Great cars.
As said the D5 is a peach of an engine, and the later 6 speed autos were fine if not a little old school and ponderous.
Lovely cruisers that eat the mileage, and if you do a little preventative maintenance they’ll go on forever.
I’m on my 3rd V70 and 5th Volvo. Great cars.
Tyre Smoke said:
Auto boxes have a bad reputation, but we run a 2.4 5cyl petrol V70 on an auto box that's north of 260k miles and no issues.
Don't rule out a V70.
Agree my V70 2.3 diesel ran for three years with a blown head gasket!! RE Autobox I am on 220k. The only problem i have is the initial getawayDon't rule out a V70.
The 0-60 is suppoed to be about 11 sec
Mine is doing it in 13 secs with a bloody long time to actually get moving ( Seeing a good gap to get onto a roundabout, putting your foot hard down and gently and i do mean gently rolling along for 3 secs before it decides to shift out of the way)
Even the Volvo main stealer cannot figure it out, am taking it to a autobox specialist for his opinion. BUT i have lived with it for 10 years!!! only now got some spare cash for some TLC. The bodywork is bullet proof, ride great, and sound system ok. One car that has grown around me.
But the autobox is doing my head in
Two 'big' (lol ) repairs
The a/c pump needed a new repair kit...pennies compared to a replacement
and the brake servo went again a good s/h one both done by the best indie i have had since PGJ at Farnham closed who used to do my 760 turbos
Oh and the turning circle bloody awful compared to the 760 which was like driving a London Taxi
Volvos? 100% yes look how many are still on the road compared to other makes
I appreciate this doesn’t meet the OPs original request but I’ve got an XC70 with a D5 engine as my mobility car. With it tuned to 217bhp it doesn’t hang around especially in sport mode! Big, quiet, smooth etc the only downside to me despite the AWD it doesn’t feel planted if progressing say on a dual carriageway with bends in it.
I haven’t got around to advertising my 58 plate V50 D5 (sorry OP but it’s probably going to be double your budget+) with mid 40000 miles on it. You wouldn’t know it was a diesel when driving it normally but to be honest the engine literally growls when you give it a few revs. 6 speed manual which I can no longer drive unfortunately. Plenty of space in the back for taking wife and 3 kids on holiday. RDesign spec with a bit of body kit makes it look sporty and it is... holds the road really well, 0-60 is actually 7.6 secs and top end is 144mph a proper wolf in sheep’s clothing. It has surprised quite a few people I can tell you. You could always drop me a mail if you wanted to??
I haven’t got around to advertising my 58 plate V50 D5 (sorry OP but it’s probably going to be double your budget+) with mid 40000 miles on it. You wouldn’t know it was a diesel when driving it normally but to be honest the engine literally growls when you give it a few revs. 6 speed manual which I can no longer drive unfortunately. Plenty of space in the back for taking wife and 3 kids on holiday. RDesign spec with a bit of body kit makes it look sporty and it is... holds the road really well, 0-60 is actually 7.6 secs and top end is 144mph a proper wolf in sheep’s clothing. It has surprised quite a few people I can tell you. You could always drop me a mail if you wanted to??
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