Second car help - already!

[Alekin42]

Hello all!

I posted here in June of last year asking for advice about my first car, which ended up being a lovely 1993 mk3 Granada.

A head gasket and some other bits later, I’ve made the decision to say goodbye to the thing (and a part time job doesn’t really cover you for 23mpg on super unleaded).

Now I’m back in the market and have narrowed my choices down to two (equally unreasonable) cars: a 1997 Volvo S70 2.4 NA (manual) or a 1998 V70 T5 (auto).

With them being older cars insurance is surprisingly reasonable on both and they are very similar in price.

Any great advantages to one over the other? Should I just give in and buy something reasonable? I feel like rear facing boot seats aren’t something I should base a car purchase on…

They both look in good nick and have had a decent chunk of work done (V70 has had new transmission and rear shocks).

Any advice greatly appreciated! Would love to hear what either car is like to live with - also open to other suggestions!

Thanks a million

[Pickle_Rick]

If pistonheads advised you to get a 90's granada that's lasted barely 6 months, I suggest trying mumsnet instead. Most here don't have a clue.


Why the obsession with 90's cars, are you handy with spanners and a welder?

I presume that old v70 is a grand or so, so that might be worth checking out if it comes with 12 months clean mot. Though you won't be getting any more mpg than the knackered granada. Old autos are crap compared to modern boxes.

Edited by Pickle_Rick on Thursday 5th March 19:15

[paul_c123]

TBH both are pretty boring and there's better cars out there.

[Alekin42]

To be fair, I was told to watch for head gasket (which went) and timing chain tensioner (which needed replaced) so I think the Granada is on me

Mostly drawn to 90s/early 00s cars because I can get insured on a V70 T5 for cheaper than most pay on Polos, and I want something a bit different.

Any reason why the Volvos in particular are (or hopefully aren’t) a bad idea?

[_Rodders_]

The Volvo will be exceptionally thirsty, more so than the Granada.

I like them and it would be my pick of the two but having had a D5 and tried a T5 the near doubling of economy and range beats slightly better performance and sound from the petrol.

[RustyNissanPrairie]

The 2.4na is the pick of the two (I’m a Volvo fan/owner and ran a V70 2.4na to 215k miles before selling it, I also own a 215k XC90), however it still wont do much above mid 20’s mpg. It will however do it forever without any mechanical issues.

[pti]

If you're binning the Granada primarily for economy, I wouldn't choose the Volvos!

I applaud your approach though.

Out of the two I'd pick the V70.

[Alekin42]

Well, turns out the man with the S70 doesn’t want to part with it and the V70 has no service history (which I found out after a viewing earlier). Lovely cars but sadly neither worked out.

Thanks everyone for helping anyway!