Wanted - Budget Estate, pref Diesel Auto
 

I've had to admit perhaps a 2 seater convertible isn't actually the most practical or comfortable car, and my hunt for something with character has made me notice Volvos.

However, I'm on a tight budget (sub 1k).

Would prefer diesel, but it's not mandatory.

Would prefer automatic, but could probably cope with manual.

Would prefer a not too grown up and serious colour, but will adult if I have to.

Must be an estate.

Must have decent amount of MOT, or short MOT with genuinely no reason to expect an incoming hellish repair bill.

Must have well kept oily bits.

Must have aircon, although not working is fine as long as all the bits are there.

As much as "Hey, I've got a turbo tweaked to give a bajillion everythings" would be fun, I honestly don't need it. Affordability is far more important than shiny go faster goodies.

I know my budget isn't going to get a concourse multi time show winner. I don't mind a slightly tatty (slightly tatty doesn't mean destroyed!) interior, tired paint, niggly trivial electrical issues, etc.

Distance is the biggest issue, as I'll most likely have to arrange to have it transported here and every £ spent on that is a £ less I can spend on actually buying it.


I'm also tempted by 850s, so sticking this over there too. Which hopefully doesn't break any rules!

With that budget i would simply look for the best bangernomics estate you can find irrespective of petrol or diesel. You could end up with a massive bill on an old diesel if the pump is goosed or the slush box explodes. You might be lucky and find a Volvo but you might also be better served with a Mondeo or Accord or whatever. I think you need to be more open minded and realistic at that budget. I have done bangernomics in the past and getting fixated on a particular car make or model is not how to do it.

Shame you are so far away as I have a lovely V70 with full 12 months MOT. Black leather etc. I need room as my son now has a car so would possibly let that go for 1k

https://i.postimg.cc/qMz3b63G/IMG_1035.jpg

Just a heads-up that the only diesel 740/940s are the straight 6 VW engine. Not known for being the most economical, mine averages 45mpg on a run which seems to be better than most.

A/C also not all that common on UK 740 and 940s. Good diesel ones aren't plentiful any more and the engines are good but run best when set-up by specialists - they're mechanical injection and not many places know how to get the best from them :)

Older V70's are the current bargain basement Volvo cars. There are some very good examples about if you keep your eyes open.

Bob :)

Seconded. I paid a little over half of your budget figure nearly five years ago for mine from a dealer, 'Exasperant'. Doing that would also leave you a bit in hand for any small fixes that the car may require. The only disadvantage that I have found is that, while the 7 & 9 series cars' turning circle is measured between kerbs, that of the V70 is measured between towns.

Regards, John.

There was a diesel 740 in Reading on FB not long ago. Not sure if it’s still around

Downside is the insurance on a V70 is around £400 more, which rather takes any bits back out of hand.

Which puzzles me a tad, but I guess insurance companies work in mysterious ways.

As for turning circles, can't be any worse/ more embarrassing than doing a 15 point turn in an MGF to get out a parking space...

I have been thinking I might need to break my no FB rule and look there.

*shudder*

Distance is the constant problem, not helped by there being a touch of plague in the air as well. I missed out on a tired but tolerable 850 well within budget because it'd cost almost as much to get it here as to buy the thing.

And for reasons unfathomable, sadly a V70 seems 4 or 5x more to insure.

As this is me wanting something practical/ comfortable for "Oh gods, not the MG again" days, budget really does have to be kept to.