tugboat
New member
Does anybody on the forum have a Volvo V50 estate and can give me an opinion? They have only been out since last spring. Would a second hand V40 be a better bet? Would appreciate any experienced advice.
need to change my car
- Thread starter tugboat
- Start date
VicS
Well-known member
Looked at one in the showroom a while back but thought that as an estate car it was too small. So still saving for a V70
FullCircle
Well-known member
Your better off with a Mondeo Estate TDCi. Huge load carrier, better put together than the Volvo (any) frugal avg 47MPG, damn fast (over 130MPH down the autobahn ) and all the toys.
Now the really nice bit - half the price after a couple of years!!!
Having driven many for thousands of miles, get a Ghia X with auto headlights and rain sensing wipers, and bum warming seats too. Sensational stereo.
Go see for yourself.....
Jim
Now the really nice bit - half the price after a couple of years!!!
Having driven many for thousands of miles, get a Ghia X with auto headlights and rain sensing wipers, and bum warming seats too. Sensational stereo.
Go see for yourself.....
Jim
starboard
Active member
I would go for the V50...it comes now with both multi CD and an OVEN!!
Paul.
Paul.
tugboat
New member
Thanks, guys. I should have mentioned that I know it's not a huge load carrier. It's a replacement for a hatchback and needs to fit in my garage. The V50 is the right dimensions and seems to drive well. I'm getting to the age where I fancy something really comfortable and quiet, yet practical for a boater who needs to carry long stuff like bunk cushions,etc. I was really hoping for input from someone who is living with one (or the V40 predecessor) in case there are any glitches to be taken into account. It's 12 years since I changed my car (yeah I know) and I'm out of touch with the market place. It has been a shock to see that generally cars seem to devalue by about 50% after 3 years! I would therefore prefer to buy something about a year old and avoid at least one years depreciation. So many cars seem to look similar these days, and a lot of estates are better looking than their equivalent saloons. They fit silly shaped tail-gates to hatchbacks that limit their practicality, so for the first time I'm looking at estates. Did wonder about the Audi A3 Sportback but it's a bit small in the rear seat department. The A4 Avant won't fit the garage with all the boaty bits in there too! Options seem a bit limited. Guess I need to do lots of research and pound the forecourts. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Rowana
Two steps lower than the ships' cat
It's also 12 years since I changed my car - Bought a Volvo 940 estate.
!20,000 miles, so it's just about run in ! !
No rust, only slight blemish in lower right corner of tailgate, where I always pull it down. Had 1 track rod end, 1 water pump and clutch renewed at 100,000 miles, but I used to tow a caravan all over the Scottish hills, so no shame to it. That's the TOTAL, apart from tyres end exhausts. Had to get a new battery last year - 2 batteries in 11 years is fairly good going.
Would definately go for another Volvo /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
!20,000 miles, so it's just about run in ! !
No rust, only slight blemish in lower right corner of tailgate, where I always pull it down. Had 1 track rod end, 1 water pump and clutch renewed at 100,000 miles, but I used to tow a caravan all over the Scottish hills, so no shame to it. That's the TOTAL, apart from tyres end exhausts. Had to get a new battery last year - 2 batteries in 11 years is fairly good going.
Would definately go for another Volvo /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
halcyon
Well-known member
For comfort and quite the Rover 75 tourer takes a lot of beating.
Brian
Brian
VicS
Well-known member
Re: Go for the V50
Go for the V50. It's the current model and if you settle for a V40 you'll spend the next 10 years explaining why you chose it instead of the V50.
It's been out long enough now for there to be a good selection of pre-owned ones if you want to save a few ££s.
You know it's what you want!
Go for the V50. It's the current model and if you settle for a V40 you'll spend the next 10 years explaining why you chose it instead of the V50.
It's been out long enough now for there to be a good selection of pre-owned ones if you want to save a few ££s.
You know it's what you want!
tugboat
New member
Re: Go for the V50
Shucks, am I that transparent? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Shucks, am I that transparent? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Colin_S
New member
Have a trawl round this site http://www.car-supermarkets.com/
In the past I have bought new vehicles from Trade Sales and Motorpoint and have saved bundles v's discounted main dealer prices. Some also do late used.
In the past I have bought new vehicles from Trade Sales and Motorpoint and have saved bundles v's discounted main dealer prices. Some also do late used.
tugboat
New member
Tee Hee. You got me. Touche` /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
EdEssery
Member
Volvo now owned by Ford...
Isn't the V50 basically a Ford Focus estate? I'm pretty certain it's the same floor pan...
Isn't the V50 basically a Ford Focus estate? I'm pretty certain it's the same floor pan...
[2068]
...
You're right, it's a stretched version of the Focus floorplan.
Does that make it a Focus ?
Well, yes, apart from the engines, the suspension, steering, wheels & bearings, the transmission, the fuel system, the electrics (including the CANbus which is completely different), the safety systems (including the ABS, traction control systems, the airbags) the interior: dashboard, instrumentation, seating, trim, all the glasswork, and every exterior panel, not forgetting the roof.
I think the wiper motors are the same, and maybe the aircon unit.
dv.
Does that make it a Focus ?
Well, yes, apart from the engines, the suspension, steering, wheels & bearings, the transmission, the fuel system, the electrics (including the CANbus which is completely different), the safety systems (including the ABS, traction control systems, the airbags) the interior: dashboard, instrumentation, seating, trim, all the glasswork, and every exterior panel, not forgetting the roof.
I think the wiper motors are the same, and maybe the aircon unit.
dv.
clouty
New member
Personally, I love my N reg 405. Peugot 1.9 Turbo Desiel Never could spell that word. £1500 three years ago, immediate new cam belt, bless the car! Fast as you should on the big roads, 55 mpg, comfortable, 5 people, life raft, sails, everything, Plymouth and back no problem. Steering lock! Brillant! SAVE YOURSELF £15K!
On 150K now, best wheels I EVER HAD. (Reliant Scimitar, Golf GTI, Jensen Healey Triumph GT6 Mk 1...) (Yamaha RD 250)
406, not nearly as good
Boy Racer, Load Carrier (it's a truck), Long distance, Runabout, the wheels do it all.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
On 150K now, best wheels I EVER HAD. (Reliant Scimitar, Golf GTI, Jensen Healey Triumph GT6 Mk 1...) (Yamaha RD 250)
406, not nearly as good
Boy Racer, Load Carrier (it's a truck), Long distance, Runabout, the wheels do it all.
/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
1114C
Member
Never driven one of those but used to have an S40 (W reg 2000) and it was not great inside in terms of trim and solidity - I am used to SAABs and this volvo which I no longer have was disappointing - same interior as the V40 of course. The newer S40/V40 was supposed to be a huge improvement
I would definitely go for the V50!
I would definitely go for the V50!
beancounter
New member
We had a V40 for a few years. Reliable (other than a software problem with the ignition /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif). Load carrying proved OK (ferrying son to & from uni with all his associated hardware). It was also fun to drive - OK, it was the 2 litre turbo version /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif.
However, there are roomier load carriers around - our Focus has a slightly greater cubic foot load space.
However, there are roomier load carriers around - our Focus has a slightly greater cubic foot load space.
barrie502
New member
[ QUOTE ]
Your better off with a Mondeo Estate TDCi. Huge load carrier, better put together than the Volvo (any) frugal avg 47MPG, damn fast (over 130MPH down the autobahn ) and all the toys.
Now the really nice bit - half the price after a couple of years!!!
Having driven many for thousands of miles, get a Ghia X with auto headlights and rain sensing wipers, and bum warming seats too. Sensational stereo.
Go see for yourself.....
Jim
[/ QUOTE ]
Volvo v40 was a poor car based on a poor platform. The v50 is a very good vehicle indeed being based on latest generation focus technology. That does not make it any the worse, the audi sporthatch shares seat parts - so long as they are good bits who cares who else uses them?
As for the Mondeo being better built than any volvo...where I work we have lots of hard driven volvo estates (guess the job?) and lots of mondeos. Have to say that the mechanics - a pretty plain speaking lot - would not go nearly as far as to agree with you on this point.
If you need a value alternative then the new octavia is v good. If price no object then the latest 3 series perhaps?
In between the two is the volvo. All great cars.
Your better off with a Mondeo Estate TDCi. Huge load carrier, better put together than the Volvo (any) frugal avg 47MPG, damn fast (over 130MPH down the autobahn ) and all the toys.
Now the really nice bit - half the price after a couple of years!!!
Having driven many for thousands of miles, get a Ghia X with auto headlights and rain sensing wipers, and bum warming seats too. Sensational stereo.
Go see for yourself.....
Jim
[/ QUOTE ]
Volvo v40 was a poor car based on a poor platform. The v50 is a very good vehicle indeed being based on latest generation focus technology. That does not make it any the worse, the audi sporthatch shares seat parts - so long as they are good bits who cares who else uses them?
As for the Mondeo being better built than any volvo...where I work we have lots of hard driven volvo estates (guess the job?) and lots of mondeos. Have to say that the mechanics - a pretty plain speaking lot - would not go nearly as far as to agree with you on this point.
If you need a value alternative then the new octavia is v good. If price no object then the latest 3 series perhaps?
In between the two is the volvo. All great cars.
tugboat
New member
Thanks for all your replies folks, I'm learning a lot, so feel free to keep them coming. All very much appreciated (apart from the poll, that is!) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (I love this emoticon - sorry!)
TheBoatman
New member
Has your model got the upgraded colour GPS or the bog standard one?
I ask because I need to change my car this year and I've always driven Vauxhall Carlton/Omega's and they don't make them anymore.
I ask because I need to change my car this year and I've always driven Vauxhall Carlton/Omega's and they don't make them anymore.
fontmell
Member
Got a diesel V50 in Oct had a BMW and before that a mondeo before that a passat all estates changed evey 18months 50k miles. The V50 in my opinion is the better car more confortable faster and more frugal. handling possibly not as good but that is on the limit. 12000 mile service coming up no probs except 1 bulb! re size is wider than you think. Also folding front seat gives surprising amount of room. So far i recomend it thoroughly