That modern car feel

[nadnodbe]

I am trying to work out whether I should buy a new V50 or an older but lowish mileage V70. What I really want is a bit of luxury in my life and the way I see it, either choice will get me that. But I want the benefits of a new car! When I rent a Hertz car the handling is amazing, the road noises are almost inaudible, the suspension nice and comfortable etc etc etc. A far cry from my 1996 Mondeo.

At what point did cars (I suppose in this case Volvos) make this leap? And do they get better every year or is there a real turning point?

And does this "modern car feel" wear off? Is it only a new car thing?

Thanks!!!!

[morgrp]

I'd take a V70 more luxurious and if you're gonna have a Volvo estate, get a big one! - I reckon the first truly "modern" feeling volvo made was the 850 - it was just that much more sharper to drive than the RWD 200,700 or 900 series - My T5 has 140k under it's belt and is 15 years old yet it still puts many modern cars to shame in its feel, performance, comfort and reliability

[Dunk76]

The V70 is massively better than the V50 - it's bigger, comfier, and in T5 or R trim is surprisingly good in the twisties.

The V50, in my opinion, is a bit of funny one - it's smaller internally than the A4 and 3er, it's more cramped (for my 6'4" frame) than both of them.

[plfrench]

If you're after a bit of luxury in life go for the V70, without a doubt. The V50 is a comparatively small car, as said above it is smaller inside than a 3 series or A4, probably die to the fact that it is a Focus floorplan.

However, the V70 is a bit of a barge so if you want to be hustling it round the twisities then it probably isn't the best choice... having said that, if that is of major concern to you, then a Volvo isn't the best plan full stop!

[F i F]

I'd agree go for V70, and I have a V50!

But I'm a bit concerned about the comment, "everytime I rent a Hertz car the handling is amazing"

Volvo-handling-amazing are not words that sit comfortably together to be honest.

I think you need to try a few more makes / models, then if they still float your boat, fine.

Mind you Norway, not known for the plod being happy about people door handling it round the twisties.

[T5R+]

Try a V70 with the 4C suspension. I drive one with 18" alloys (40 series tyres)and am surprised how well it rides and handles.

Have owned each variant of V70 and have to say the Phase 3 is the best to date. However, I still retain a V70 Phase 1 T5 and think it is the best all round package.

The V50 is not so bad if you accept it for what it is. Never lived with one, simply driven them.

[Dunk76]

T5R+ said:

Try a V70 with the 4C suspension. I drive one with 18" alloys (40 series tyres)and am surprised how well it rides and handles.

The V70R is frankly astonishing - the level to which you can lean on the chassis is physics-defying.

I adore my V70R, purely because it is the ultimate Jekyll & Hyde Q-Missile. Completely non-descript, functional, practical, comfortable, and yet press a few buttons and it'll hustle with the best of them.

The 10 speaker Pro-Logic stereo is pretty impressive for a standard fit unit.

[Powderpuff]

My V70R was in for the day at the local dealer this week and my loan car for the day was an 09 plate V50 R design 2.0D and I have to say I liked it a lot.

Sure it's not as big as my car, it's not quite as comfortable but it did feel more modern. The refinement was very good, performance more than adequate for day to day driving although it's obviously way slower than my V70R, the steering was a little woolly and lacking in feel, but overall I can honestly say I was impressed.

Would I swap mine for one? In present circumstances no, I do low miles therefore don't mind the 25mpg tops I get out of my R, if I were doing a higher mileage, then quite possibly.

[morgrp]

Dunk76 said:

T5R+ said:

Try a V70 with the 4C suspension. I drive one with 18" alloys (40 series tyres)and am surprised how well it rides and handles.

The V70R is frankly astonishing - the level to which you can lean on the chassis is physics-defying.

I adore my V70R, purely because it is the ultimate Jekyll & Hyde Q-Missile. Completely non-descript, functional, practical, comfortable, and yet press a few buttons and it'll hustle with the best of them.

The 10 speaker Pro-Logic stereo is pretty impressive for a standard fit unit.

I'd love a V70R - the consumate allrounder - They're something of a bargain to buy now too considering the cost when new and as good as the rivals are (and I love all the German brands), they're SOOOOO much cooler to own than a "try hard" BMW a "snob value" Merc or "solicitor special" Audi

[Dunk76]

morgrp said:

Dunk76 said:

T5R+ said:

Try a V70 with the 4C suspension. I drive one with 18" alloys (40 series tyres)and am surprised how well it rides and handles.

The V70R is frankly astonishing - the level to which you can lean on the chassis is physics-defying.

I adore my V70R, purely because it is the ultimate Jekyll & Hyde Q-Missile. Completely non-descript, functional, practical, comfortable, and yet press a few buttons and it'll hustle with the best of them.

The 10 speaker Pro-Logic stereo is pretty impressive for a standard fit unit.

I'd love a V70R - the consumate allrounder - They're something of a bargain to buy now too considering the cost when new and as good as the rivals are (and I love all the German brands), they're SOOOOO much cooler to own than a "try hard" BMW a "snob value" Merc or "solicitor special" Audi

Quite.

The S60R, being at least 30% cheaper, has to be the absolute Q-Car bargain at the moment. I mean, does anyone pay any attention to Volvo saloons?

The V70R is a little characterless at first, but it's a real slow-burner in my affections. I'll never be smitten by it like I was the Alpina, but I can't see myself falling out of love with it like the Alpina.

Simply it does everything right. The attention to detail is evident everywhere, but unlike the German stuff it's attention to function, rather than form; some of it isn't pretty or tactile, but it all works, and all makes sense.

[Allblackdup]

Dunk76 said:

T5R+ said:

Try a V70 with the 4C suspension. I drive one with 18" alloys (40 series tyres)and am surprised how well it rides and handles.

The V70R is frankly astonishing - the level to which you can lean on the chassis is physics-defying.

I adore my V70R, purely because it is the ultimate Jekyll & Hyde Q-Missile. Completely non-descript, functional, practical, comfortable, and yet press a few buttons and it'll hustle with the best of them.

The 10 speaker Pro-Logic stereo is pretty impressive for a standard fit unit.

I agree, go for a V70

As its my daily driver i've not had the chance to explore its true capability yet, but its definately the ultimate Q Missile. Never gets a second look, until there staring at it pulling away in the distance!

[mondayo]

Powderpuff said:

My V70R was in for the day at the local dealer this week and my loan car for the day was an 09 plate V50 R design 2.0D and I have to say I liked it a lot.

Sure it's not as big as my car, it's not quite as comfortable but it did feel more modern. The refinement was very good, performance more than adequate for day to day driving although it's obviously way slower than my V70R, the steering was a little woolly and lacking in feel, but overall I can honestly say I was impressed.

Would I swap mine for one? In present circumstances no, I do low miles therefore don't mind the 25mpg tops I get out of my R, if I were doing a higher mileage, then quite possibly.

I agree. I had a 56 plate V50 (2.4se auto) for a year and swapped it for the end of run V70 on 57 plate. So think I'm in a good position to comment on both.

I love the V70 and the main reason I changed it was that I needed more boot space, and it fulfills that need very well. Its probably slightly quicker than my V50 and more economical. Cruising about, and on the motorway its a lovely car and very comfortable and refined...the seats in particular are fab.
However, around town, its a big old bus and I only wished the turning circle was as good as a bus!
The V50 is probably a little more firmly set up. But the interior, switchgear etc felt much more modern and user friendly....but that doesn't make the V70 bad, just a little more dated.

Therefore my advice would be, if you just need a big car for cruising about it, then go for the V70, but if you don't need masses of boot space etc, the V50 is the one I'd choose.