Alternatives to Volvo s60 T5
Discussion
Currently travelling but when I get home I'm going to need a car. After being burnt buying 'new' I have decided this time to stick to the used car market to pick up a bargain.
I've had my eye on the Volvo S60 T5 or even the S40 T5 due to the price they can be picked up for and still having some power behind them. Insurance also doesn't seem to be that much. Not the coolest of cars to be driving at 23 but not overly fussed about that.
I am however open minded about the other options out there such as the S Type Jag but not overly keen on the looks. Anyone got any other suggestions? Needs to be somewhere between £4-6000 and have enough power to keep a smile on my face each day.
I've always had reservations about buying cars with 70,000+ miles on the clock. The cars listed above for example, are they generally good for atleast 100,000 miles or is it risky business picking up a high mileage motor?
I've had my eye on the Volvo S60 T5 or even the S40 T5 due to the price they can be picked up for and still having some power behind them. Insurance also doesn't seem to be that much. Not the coolest of cars to be driving at 23 but not overly fussed about that.
I am however open minded about the other options out there such as the S Type Jag but not overly keen on the looks. Anyone got any other suggestions? Needs to be somewhere between £4-6000 and have enough power to keep a smile on my face each day.
I've always had reservations about buying cars with 70,000+ miles on the clock. The cars listed above for example, are they generally good for atleast 100,000 miles or is it risky business picking up a high mileage motor?
boredofmyoldname said:
Buy on history and condition over mileage. A 30,000 mile 2005 S60 may have only been back to a garage twice in 6 years and could have a myriad of jobs needing to be done soon, a well cared for 110,000 mile one will have likely had lots of major jobs done and any niggles ironed out.
very well said 
I'm always happier to buy on condition rather than looking blindly at low mileage cars y2blade said:
here come the "FWDs are rubbish" idiots 
I'd try the S60 T5 first before writing the idea off, good cars "not cool" is half the appeal imho
20 yrs old, S60T5, above 100k, no problems at all...I'd try the S60 T5 first before writing the idea off, good cars
"not cool" is half the appeal imho Things to look for. Make sure the idle on the S60 is rock steady (last thing you want is an ETM issue), any knocking noises coming from the suspension at low speed are not a major issue and no reason to put you off; but anything more major than that be weary. Check the service history for any work, mine had had the bouncing central locking and the ETM addressed, as well as a recent cambelt change not so long ago so I managed to pick up a good one.
Worn clutches on high milers if it has been driven by a tit (worth taking it up some hills and giving it some throttle on the hill to check for slip) as a clutch change is at least 500 quid (have to drop the engine out).
As for the S60 T5. Don't compare it in the corners to a Beemer, it's not going to compete with a 3 series but anybody who tells you the handling is bad is lying or has never driven one. The steering is numb but is by no means bad and if you go booting the throttle mid corner what do you think is going to happen when 250bhp and 1600kgs are going through the fronts?
Also, best sound system for less than £100k.
Edited by jimbobsimmonds on Friday 4th February 11:49
jimbobsimmonds said:
y2blade said:
here come the "FWDs are rubbish" idiots
I'd try the S60 T5 first before writing the idea off, good cars "not cool" is half the appeal imho
20 yrs old, S60T5, above 100k, no problems at all...I'd try the S60 T5 first before writing the idea off, good cars
"not cool" is half the appeal imho Things to look for. Make sure the idle on the S60 is rock steady (last thing you want is an ETM issue), any knocking noises coming from the suspension at low speed are not a major issue and no reason to put you off; but anything more major than that be weary. Check the service history for any work, mine had had the bouncing central locking and the ETM addressed, as well as a recent cambelt change not so long ago so I managed to pick up a good one.
Worn clutches on high milers if it has been driven by a tit (worth taking it up some hills and giving it some throttle on the hill to check for slip) as a clutch change is at least 500 quid (have to drop the engine out).
As for the S60 T5. Don't compare it in the corners to a Beemer, it's not going to compete with a 3 series but anybody who tells you the handling is bad is lying or has never driven one. The steering is numb but is by no means bad and if you go booting the throttle mid corner what do you think is going to happen when 250bhp and 1600kgs are going through the fronts?
Also, best sound system for less than £100k.
Edited by jimbobsimmonds on Friday 4th February 11:49
rear suspension minor knocking is usually the Tie-bars...cheap and easy to fix
the Pro-Logic 13speaker sound system is superb
you forgot to mention how comfy the seats are though
Volvo make the comfiest seats EVER!!!!
I love the S60's and have done since I was 19, I've even looked at several and the only thing stopping me was a serious oil leak following the test drive on one and a lack of finance on the other.
At 23 I think an s60 would be very cool in a "i'm more mature and sensible than you and I'm doing alot better thankyou very much"
Volvo's are quite cool anyway, look at the c30 and the s60 is the ultimate in refinement IMO 
As an alternative, V70, not as cool but more room in the boot for camping, holidays, shoving mates in for a drive back from the pub etc etc.
At 23 I think an s60 would be very cool in a "i'm more mature and sensible than you and I'm doing alot better thankyou very much"
Volvo's are quite cool anyway, look at the c30
and the s60 is the ultimate in refinement IMO As an alternative, V70, not as cool but more room in the boot for camping, holidays, shoving mates in for a drive back from the pub etc etc.
lord-of-creation said:
Would people advise the T5 over the Mondeo ST 220?
Yes! (not based on any actual knowledge or experience other than my S40!)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Can you up the budget a little? Orange seats mmmm.
I've got an S80 T6. Its actually putting out 25bhp more than the S60 R. Great motor, very fast with a nice smooth auto gear box.
I do like the look of the S60R though and I bet the manual gearbox would make it fun.
Don't worry too much about the oil leak on the one you looked at, its probably one of the turbo hoses. They cost about £3 for the hose and can be replaced from underneath.
If you fancy a Jag but dont like the look of the S type what about a 3.0 X type Sport? 231BHP and all wheel drive. With the Arden body kit they look really smart.
I do like the look of the S60R though and I bet the manual gearbox would make it fun.
Don't worry too much about the oil leak on the one you looked at, its probably one of the turbo hoses. They cost about £3 for the hose and can be replaced from underneath.
If you fancy a Jag but dont like the look of the S type what about a 3.0 X type Sport? 231BHP and all wheel drive. With the Arden body kit they look really smart.
Nice facelift S type here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2309636.htm
alcovrugbyfan said:
I've got an S80 T6. Its actually putting out 25bhp more than the S60 R. Great motor, very fast with a nice smooth auto gear box.
I do like the look of the S60R though and I bet the manual gearbox would make it fun.
Don't worry too much about the oil leak on the one you looked at, its probably one of the turbo hoses. They cost about £3 for the hose and can be replaced from underneath.
If you fancy a Jag but dont like the look of the S type what about a 3.0 X type Sport? 231BHP and all wheel drive. With the Arden body kit they look really smart.
I was looking at one with an oil leak, not the OP!!! And it concerned me more that the engine was and had been loosing oil that put me off.I do like the look of the S60R though and I bet the manual gearbox would make it fun.
Don't worry too much about the oil leak on the one you looked at, its probably one of the turbo hoses. They cost about £3 for the hose and can be replaced from underneath.
If you fancy a Jag but dont like the look of the S type what about a 3.0 X type Sport? 231BHP and all wheel drive. With the Arden body kit they look really smart.
I see were back to mondeo's (X-type)
boredofmyoldname said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Can you up the budget a little? Orange seats mmmm.
That interior is vile, the exterior colour is v.nice though..Can you up the budget a little? Orange seats mmmm.
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