Neighbours V40 - Should I Buy
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Currently looking for a new car after the Insignia Estate was written off. Decided I want a sub-£4k runabout to get me to and from the office 12 miles on country roads each way.
My neighbours selling his 53 Plate Volvo V40 2.0 Petrol Manual with full leather.
He's an old money type, big house in the country etc so no expense spared on the car, he's owned it for two years and the one previous owner before him was a mature gent who had the car serviced every 6 months. It has Full Service History at the same Volvo main dealer for the life of the car. Genuine reason for him selling as well.
Car has 74k miles on the clock, just had cambelt changed and a major service, 4 matching tyres, interior is pristine, exterior has a few car park scrapes but no dents, no knocks or rattles and the engine sounded spot on.
He was looking for £2,250 but has just offered it to me for £1,750 and it's looking just too good to refuse. I've just taken it on a nice run out and the car drove spot on and achieved over 40mpg on the run to the office so happy with that. I had just put a refundable holding deposit down on an Audi A3 3.2 Quattro though so need to make a decision quickly.
Obviously the Audi will put a smile on my face each morning but I can't help thinking I'll be walking away from some good value motoring in the Volvo.
So basically, what are peoples thoughts on the V40 and the price etc? Does this sound a good deal and should I grab it?
Thanks in advance.
Currently looking for a new car after the Insignia Estate was written off. Decided I want a sub-£4k runabout to get me to and from the office 12 miles on country roads each way.
My neighbours selling his 53 Plate Volvo V40 2.0 Petrol Manual with full leather.
He's an old money type, big house in the country etc so no expense spared on the car, he's owned it for two years and the one previous owner before him was a mature gent who had the car serviced every 6 months. It has Full Service History at the same Volvo main dealer for the life of the car. Genuine reason for him selling as well.
Car has 74k miles on the clock, just had cambelt changed and a major service, 4 matching tyres, interior is pristine, exterior has a few car park scrapes but no dents, no knocks or rattles and the engine sounded spot on.
He was looking for £2,250 but has just offered it to me for £1,750 and it's looking just too good to refuse. I've just taken it on a nice run out and the car drove spot on and achieved over 40mpg on the run to the office so happy with that. I had just put a refundable holding deposit down on an Audi A3 3.2 Quattro though so need to make a decision quickly.
Obviously the Audi will put a smile on my face each morning but I can't help thinking I'll be walking away from some good value motoring in the Volvo.
So basically, what are peoples thoughts on the V40 and the price etc? Does this sound a good deal and should I grab it?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks for your input guys, I really don't think I'd have the front to try and chip him any further as I did ask him what his very best price was and he quoted it. He doesn't need the cash, his wife has a Freelander and he's just bought a Mazda day van type thing and didn't feel the need to keep the Volvo but he would rather keep it than give it away for any less.
The thing for me is that a £1500 car out of the classifieds comes with no knowledge of the previous owners and how they've treated the car whereas with this one I can trust its history and background which probably makes it worth a small premium.
I'll see what happens with the Audi tomorrow as the salesman hasn't responded to my email about the warranty etc and I've just spotted its been relisted on trader for £800 more than the originally advertised price and the price I agreed with them on Saturday. So not sure whats going on there!!
The girlfriend feels the Volvo is a bit to much of an old mans car (we're 35) and a bit old in itself but then I see the value of having the spare cash more than she does. Tricky decision.
The thing for me is that a £1500 car out of the classifieds comes with no knowledge of the previous owners and how they've treated the car whereas with this one I can trust its history and background which probably makes it worth a small premium.
I'll see what happens with the Audi tomorrow as the salesman hasn't responded to my email about the warranty etc and I've just spotted its been relisted on trader for £800 more than the originally advertised price and the price I agreed with them on Saturday. So not sure whats going on there!!
The girlfriend feels the Volvo is a bit to much of an old mans car (we're 35) and a bit old in itself but then I see the value of having the spare cash more than she does. Tricky decision.
You could always sign up to a forum or two, if you're interested in a volvo, there's VPCUK, T5D5, Volvotuning.net and Volvoforums, among others, then there's gonna be a fair few very well looked after cars available at better than average prices. You'll have the extra confidence of knowing that the car will have been owned and cared for by an enthusiast, overseen by fellow enthusiasts.
In my limited experience with the 2.0 non turbo I found it to be almost dangerously underpowered for the fast moving roundabouts in Milton Keynes. If your other consideration is a 3.2 audi you might want to take a short drive and see if it's for you before you spend too much time thinking about it.
Is it the 2.0 or 2.0i ? The latter was the Mitsubishi GDI engine which can be troublesome. The Volvo engine is smooth enough, it won't set the world on fire but 136hp will pull the car along quickly enough. Just remember the V40 isn't a featherweight, but is reliable.
Other minor issues to look for are fuel gauge not working, common fault where the wire breaks on the sender - easy fix just resolder it.
Other minor issues to look for are fuel gauge not working, common fault where the wire breaks on the sender - easy fix just resolder it.
Myc said:
Thanks for your input guys, I really don't think I'd have the front to try and chip him any further as I did ask him what his very best price was and he quoted it. He doesn't need the cash, his wife has a Freelander and he's just bought a Mazda day van type thing and didn't feel the need to keep the Volvo but he would rather keep it than give it away for any less.
The thing for me is that a £1500 car out of the classifieds comes with no knowledge of the previous owners and how they've treated the car whereas with this one I can trust its history and background which probably makes it worth a small premium.
I'll see what happens with the Audi tomorrow as the salesman hasn't responded to my email about the warranty etc and I've just spotted its been relisted on trader for £800 more than the originally advertised price and the price I agreed with them on Saturday. So not sure whats going on there!!
The girlfriend feels the Volvo is a bit to much of an old mans car (we're 35) and a bit old in itself but then I see the value of having the spare cash more than she does. Tricky decision.
My gut feeling is it is a decent price, but not decent enough to make you buy a car you didn't particularly want.The thing for me is that a £1500 car out of the classifieds comes with no knowledge of the previous owners and how they've treated the car whereas with this one I can trust its history and background which probably makes it worth a small premium.
I'll see what happens with the Audi tomorrow as the salesman hasn't responded to my email about the warranty etc and I've just spotted its been relisted on trader for £800 more than the originally advertised price and the price I agreed with them on Saturday. So not sure whats going on there!!
The girlfriend feels the Volvo is a bit to much of an old mans car (we're 35) and a bit old in itself but then I see the value of having the spare cash more than she does. Tricky decision.
Sorry guys I thought this thread had died away.
By way of a quick round up -
The A3 fell through after it turned out to need £6k of work when the dealer inspected it properly.
After chasing after a couple of others that also turned out to be dogs I spoke to the neighbour and offered to buy the Volvo at the agreed price.
Unfortunately by now his missus had got involved and told him its too good a car to sell as they don't need the money or space and he was no longer allowed to sell it.
I have subsequently bought a 2003 Audi S3 which is proving lots of fun.
I fully agree the Volvo would have made an excellent 2nd hand purchase and regretted on several occasions not snapping his hand of sooner.
By way of a quick round up -
The A3 fell through after it turned out to need £6k of work when the dealer inspected it properly.
After chasing after a couple of others that also turned out to be dogs I spoke to the neighbour and offered to buy the Volvo at the agreed price.
Unfortunately by now his missus had got involved and told him its too good a car to sell as they don't need the money or space and he was no longer allowed to sell it.
I have subsequently bought a 2003 Audi S3 which is proving lots of fun.
I fully agree the Volvo would have made an excellent 2nd hand purchase and regretted on several occasions not snapping his hand of sooner.
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