What Volvo to get. Up to ~£8k

[IAmTupperware]

So life goes on and I think it's time I part with my little mid-engined sporty number and get something a bit more volvo-esque.

I have previously owned a V70 P1 which I loved, but replaced with something a bit more sporty. Now I find myself on the downward curve of the 'I want something irresponsible and fun' desire graph.

Now this is what I have considered so far with my budget:

1. A clean 245 with the thought of doing mods in the future. Always wanted one. But do I have the time to work on it anymore? And is it safe/responsible enough for a young family?

2. A P2 V70R. These look fun yet safe and responsible. Is it worth the running costs? Do I want a manual. Can I find a nice one in budget?

3. A P2 XC70. Always had an itch for a slighlty more rugged looking car. I love the Ocean Race blue. Seem overpriced for what they are. Is it going to be much cheaper to run than the V70R

4. A 1st gen V60. They are nearly all diesels. My daily commute is only 20 mins. Wife doesn't want a diesel. Lilely to be higher mileage. Are they as good and reliable as the old boys?

5. An S80 2.5T. Nice wafty saloon. Is it a bit too execy? Running costs likely higher.

5. A saab 9-3 or 9-5 saloon/estate.

6. A P3 XC70. Are there any good petrols?

Any of you lot have any thoughts?

[Tyre Smoke]

You'll be disappointed with a Saab after a V70.

I've had a 2001 2.4 V70 auto for 14 years. It's part of the family and has 280k on it. No major dramas, a window regulator went wrong and opened the passenger window fully every morning! And a radiator.

It just does what it does. And it's part of the family.

[trevalvole]

I suspect that a stock 245 will drive differently to the more modern models.

[IAmTupperware]

Tyre Smoke said:

You'll be disappointed with a Saab after a V70.

You're probably right. I did have a v6 9-3 after my V70 which was a bit of fun. But the volvo had a far greater impact on my heart.

trevalvole said:

I suspect that a stock 245 will drive differently to the more modern models.

Absolutely. I have always wanted to 'modernise' a 240 but I just don't have the time unfortunately.

[Davie]

It probably depends what you want and what you need... and the two usually aren't the same if a young family is involved. My input on the above would be the likes of a P80 V70 (so the early 850 / V70) don't have isofix, have very short rear seat belts and the aircon hardly ever works on one. A V70R in P2 guise is a lovely, if jiggly and uncompromised thing that'll empty your wallet at an alarming rate if you're not DIY savvy. A P3 XC70 is miles better than the earlier P2 cars in pretty much every possible sense... and being Ford era had no ill effect. I have a P3 XC70 and a young family and it's really rather excellent at what it's needed to do to... but is it what I want? Nope...

[Tyre Smoke]

I don't see why a V70 would empty your wallet. They're really no different to any other car. Preventative and regular maintenance keeps them Swiss Clock reliable.
Mine is 'only' the 140hp version and hustles along nicely. A hotter version would be a hoot. Obviously there is the turning circle, which is akin to the Queen Mary. But it's such a capable car. Everything just works.

[DavidY]

In the last 20 years I've (We've) had

960 Estate - lovely but major gearbox issue caused its demise
240 Saloon - cheap leave anywhere car
265 Estate - Rusty as hell but a great car to have around when doing building work
240 Estate - another cheap run-around
240 Estate bought for £100 as spares for above - actually ran, sold on eBay for a profit!
9-5 2.3T Estate - lovely car, daily driver, did 223K miles in this one (bought at 10K miles), only sold due to a major climate system fault, surprisingly reliable
9-3 1.9D Saloon - reploacement daily driver for 9-5, bought at 60K miles, written off in a parking accident (not my fault) at 155K
V50 1.6D - replacement for 9-3, bought new (20% off end of line model), still have it 10 years on at 235K miles
V40 T2 - bought as a potential replacement for V50, another End of Line 20% off deal, my wide used it for a couple of years and now my step son has it
XC60 B5 - bought last year, amazingly managed to get 20% off RRP

So I'm pretty much a serial Volvo Saab user

All of the above cars are a nice place to be in, especially if you have large milages to cover, I allways think that Saab/Volvo don't impress on a test drive but after 10K miles nothing pi**es you off, and that counts for a lot.

Personally although a 240 sounds like a great idea, it will appear very dated compared to modern machinery, and late 940/960 might provide a better experience, and certainly will be better on a long run.

I've been looking (occassionally) at potential replacement vehicles for my V50, and currently a V70 or a 940/960 are looking likely. My requirements have changed, I don't cover anywhere near the annual mileage that I used to (thank goodness).

Good luck with your search

[Davie]

Tyre Smoke said:

I don't see why a V70 would empty your wallet. They're really no different to any other car. Preventative and regular maintenance keeps them Swiss Clock reliable.
Mine is 'only' the 140hp version and hustles along nicely. A hotter version would be a hoot. Obviously there is the turning circle, which is akin to the Queen Mary. But it's such a capable car. Everything just works.

The 140bhp version and the R are worlds apart... 4C dampers, Haldex, angle gear, speed sensitive steering, Brembo brakes, 18" alloys, Xenon lights, potential to split cylinder liners to name but a few of the areas where the R can have issues and usually rather spendy ones at that. Granted, as with any car, you could get lucky and have little or no issues however when issues do arise with the bespoke R bits, it's not always quite so cheap or easy to resolve as your run of the mill model. Ask me how I know...

[IAmTupperware]

Davie said:

Tyre Smoke said:

I don't see why a V70 would empty your wallet. They're really no different to any other car. Preventative and regular maintenance keeps them Swiss Clock reliable.
Mine is 'only' the 140hp version and hustles along nicely. A hotter version would be a hoot. Obviously there is the turning circle, which is akin to the Queen Mary. But it's such a capable car. Everything just works.

The 140bhp version and the R are worlds apart... 4C dampers, Haldex, angle gear, speed sensitive steering, Brembo brakes, 18" alloys, Xenon lights, potential to split cylinder liners to name but a few of the areas where the R can have issues and usually rather spendy ones at that. Granted, as with any car, you could get lucky and have little or no issues however when issues do arise with the bespoke R bits, it's not always quite so cheap or easy to resolve as your run of the mill model. Ask me how I know...

I hate to ask, but how do you know? Ha! What is your experience? I am worried I might be bored with a standard V70. Or XC70. But at the same time, I don't really want to be spending huge amounts as I have done on projects in the past.

[Davie]

IAmTupperware said:

I hate to ask, but how do you know? Ha! What is your experience? I am worried I might be bored with a standard V70. Or XC70. But at the same time, I don't really want to be spending huge amounts as I have done on projects in the past.

I've had a few...

2001 T-5 Geartronic
2005 D5 163bhp manual
2006 D5 185bhp Geartronic
2006 D5 185bhp manual
2005 V70R manual

I did debate a P2 XC70 after the V70R went but ultimately I decided they were a bit long in the tooth and having had pretty much AWD woe going with the V70R, rectified at considerable cost... I didn't want to go down that route again and hence I bought a P3 XC70 instead, which to be honest is proving to be a much better tool in many ways despite it's considerable mileage.

I'd probably advise avoiding the N/A versions, they're fine but just a bit dull so as far as the "normal" spec cars go, I'd opt for the 2.5T or a D5 and I'd also avoid a Geartronic, not only are they prone to issues but they're not the greatest of boxes and somewhat dull the experience. They're ok cars, pretty solid but can get baggy with age / neglect nd they're not that engaging but are very comfortable and don't feel their age.

The R's are a different kettle of fish completely... as said, lots of bespoke bits such as the 4C dampers, the speed sensitive steering, the Brembo brakes plus the small matter of 300bhp and AWD so they're very capable, surprisingly fast but hide their speed as they're pretty solid things. Costs are quite scary, relatively speaking... around a grand for dampers and AWD issues can easily run into four figures too. Given the choice, I'd probably say a really nice 2.4 T-5 would be the best of both worlds... they're not as highly strung but only a remap off the R power, but then with most halo models, you pay the premium for access to the kudos club.

As said, it'd really come down to your needs and wants... I ran all of mine aside for the R as daily drivers / family tools but the R was just too highly strung for that and hence was more of a garage queen. Ultimately I sold it and went the complete opposite and went for the XC70 as it just does all I need with no fuss or drama, however it's not exactly exciting and so I find myself looking at more involved, faster alternatives but for what it gets used for, anything nicer would be treated with contempt by my wife and kids!

Decisions, decisions!

[IAmTupperware]

Davie said:

Decisions, decisions!

What fantastic help, thank you! I think I will look for a P3 XC70. I will perhaps jazz her up with some light mods such as wheels, maybe a small lift and a roof box or something. Perhaps a tune in the future.

So my wife and I somewhat like dolphins, and therefore would prefer the T5. But they seem to be 95% diesels on the market, with the few petrol being the 3.0 or 3.2. Would the D5 really be that much worse? I will be dailying 15-20 mins each way.

[the-norseman]

V70 R or S60 R?

[E-bmw]

IAmTupperware said:

I will be dailying 15-20 mins each way.

That pretty much rules out any diesel then unless you do a regular much longer journey for 2 reasons.

Diesels literally pour fuel down their necks until warm, which generally takes longer than a petrol as the engines are generally more thermally efficient. - For those miles you will get nothing like the expected economy.

DPFs don't like short journeys. - COST of repair/clean/replacement.

Before everyone bites, I do have a diesel, and know that these are generalisations.

[Bannock]

Tyre Smoke said:

You'll be disappointed with a Saab after a V70.

I dunno so much. I once had a much maligned 2.2 TiD 9-5 estate, and simultaneously used to drive my sister's XC70 D5 a bit too. I honestly preferred my SAAB, despite the lower power. It always felt roomier for people and bigger on the load space. Much better seats, and just as (un)reliable. Always hated getting in the XC70 because I would often bang my head on the door frame. I always found it cramped and I'm only 5 feet 9, not exactly a giant.

Given the choice now I'd buy the best 9-5 on the market over pretty much any V70 or XC70.

[IAmTupperware]

E-bmw said:

That pretty much rules out any diesel then unless you do a regular much longer journey for 2 reasons.

I thought as much. They all seem to be diesels. I have only managed to find one XC70 T5 thus far.

Bannock said:

Given the choice now I'd buy the best 9-5 on the market over pretty much any V70 or XC70.

Thanks, I will keep a 9-5 estate on the radar.

[DavidY]

IAmTupperware said:

Bannock said:

Given the choice now I'd buy the best 9-5 on the market over pretty much any V70 or XC70.

Thanks, I will keep a 9-5 estate on the radar.

Just be aware that the LPT versions of the ngines are prone to head gasket failure and turbochrager failure (I managed to eek mine out to 185K before both happened within 2K miles of each other, but usually its around 120K miles. Aeros don't suffer the same fate (different turbo)

I'd buy the best Aero available.

But leave enough room in the boot (or under boot floor) for a spare DI Cassette and a spare Crank Position Sensor, both can fail without warning!! Other than that pretty solid cars.

[Davie]

IAmTupperware said:

What fantastic help, thank you! I think I will look for a P3 XC70. I will perhaps jazz her up with some light mods such as wheels, maybe a small lift and a roof box or something. Perhaps a tune in the future.

So my wife and I somewhat like dolphins, and therefore would prefer the T5. But they seem to be 95% diesels on the market, with the few petrol being the 3.0 or 3.2. Would the D5 really be that much worse? I will be dailying 15-20 mins each way.

The T-5 was killed off along with the P2 models and thus for the P3 cars, you get the 2.5T or the 3.2 in petrol flavours. The T-5 I was reffering to was the P2 shape, the same shape as the V70R and thus they have the 2.4 turbo and ~240bhp and seem pretty unburstable whereas the V70R is the 2.5 turbo and ~300bhp but has horror stories of cylinder liners splitting, though it seems a lottery as to when or why but preventative measures are available however as with many aspects of R ownership, it's not exactly pocket change.

I'm probably a bit of a P3 XC70 fanboi but having switched to one after a long succession of fabled P2 cars, I honestly can't think of one aspect where the P2 was better. Despite the "It's not a real Volvo" bores pointing out it was built under Ford's influence and thus lacks in many areas, I simply cannot agree as its just a better car in every sense. Granted, they're not the most involved drives but as a sort of child proof, life proof huge estate for general abuse they're quite good. Mine is the 185bhp D5 AWD with a manual box, simply because I despise the Geartronic... and it's been largely driven by my wife with zero f**ks given for the past two years, most doing Karen based stuff with it and it still averages ~38mpg.

But as said, it really comes down to what you want and need. If you want to explore the V70R route I'd implore your to test drive a couple first and do your research in tot potential failings, bearing in mind dropping five figures on one of those claimed mint Japanese imports in no guarantee you'll get an easy ride with it. If you're not savvy / happy to get involved, being reliant on specialists is dear - there were mentions of a replacement DEM (ie the ECU that controls the Haldex, prone to failing) being £2,500 at a dealer / specialist. Though you'd need to be clinically mental to pay that given refurbished units are a couple of hundred and it's not a taxing DIY project.

I battled with trying to balance something that I wanted with something that suited a young family was hard... went from a P2 V70 D5 and a P80 V70 T-5, then to the V70R and an older D5 then bought a V50 diesel for my wife, then sold the R and tried an 850 T-5 again then eventually figured I needed a big, wafty, life proof estate and hence the XC70 and it's been fabulous. Also have the V50 diesel still as a spare / shed but I find myself hankering after something a bit more interesting... and as much as I loved my V70R, I wouldn't do it again. I'm currently hoping a nice early P80 V70 -5 manual pops up or a decent P80 shape V70R. Go drive a few different cars, get your eye in!

[Monaro5.7]

IAmTupperware said:

So life goes on and I think it's time I part with my little mid-engined sporty number and get something a bit more volvo-esque.

I have previously owned a V70 P1 which I loved, but replaced with something a bit more sporty. Now I find myself on the downward curve of the 'I want something irresponsible and fun' desire graph.

Now this is what I have considered so far with my budget:

1. A clean 245 with the thought of doing mods in the future. Always wanted one. But do I have the time to work on it anymore? And is it safe/responsible enough for a young family?

2. A P2 V70R. These look fun yet safe and responsible. Is it worth the running costs? Do I want a manual. Can I find a nice one in budget?

3. A P2 XC70. Always had an itch for a slighlty more rugged looking car. I love the Ocean Race blue. Seem overpriced for what they are. Is it going to be much cheaper to run than the V70R

4. A 1st gen V60. They are nearly all diesels. My daily commute is only 20 mins. Wife doesn't want a diesel. Lilely to be higher mileage. Are they as good and reliable as the old boys?

5. An S80 2.5T. Nice wafty saloon. Is it a bit too execy? Running costs likely higher.

5. A saab 9-3 or 9-5 saloon/estate.

6. A P3 XC70. Are there any good petrols?

Any of you lot have any thoughts?

Do you have a car to trade in as second hand car market is mental just now and you could get a good price for your car?

Have you thought about a Jap import? I have just imported my Volvo in as they love them over their and have all sorts still kicking about?

A uk Spec car was £7.5K more than what i paid for my Import just had to wait 5 months for it.

Edited by Monaro5.7 on Thursday 12th May 13:44