[CCFMJL]

Originally Posted by Simmy

its all about driveing tecnique with a large car dont get up behind something and try to overtake it. plan ahead good speed change down and go for it if safe to do so . there are courses for advanced driveing try one they are good fun and you will learn some things

I guess it is ie technique....I thought about a course but always shy'd away, don't know why I just did.

Originally Posted by DaveNP

Having the V70 2.4 with a manual box and having had an 850 2.4 with an auto box; it has come up on the forum a few times over the years that they are 'gutless' but the general observation is that you have to accept to some extent that they're not sports cars, they're heavy estate cars with big but lazy engines, ideal for cruising the motorway, to get 'performance' you have to thrash them a bit and get the revs up, the big problem with that is as the rev counter needle rises the fuel gauge needle drops!

I guess I use it for wrong reasons ie about the doors

Originally Posted by KerPLoD

Well... of course it's not going to be fast in a situation like you describe. It's a naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes most of its power high in the rev range with a slushbox for an automatic that's designed to be smooth and keep revs low. It's also a big heavy estate car governed by air resistance and a lack of torque. Surely if you wanted better overtaking you'd go for a turbo model (petrol or diesel)?

I'd hardly call it gutless though, having driven the 140 as well as the 170 both in automatic. You've just got to be realistic in what you expect from a car. You could make the argument that something like a Golf GTi has similar power and goes faster, but then they've got turbo torque and several hundred less kilos to carry.

If you want to overtake someone then you've got to plan it and get a run-up (like in any other n/a petrol outside of sports cars) so you can get past quicker without relying on power, which a 2.4i won't have, not low down.

You want gutless, try driving a Volvo 240 with 111. Or a Corsa with 58. Now they are gutless.

I guess it's not right saying it's gutless, it's designed for lazy comfy driving which I am struggling to do, that's not the cars fault.

Originally Posted by Sotosound

What are you comparing it with? What was your previous car?

I have had diesels for the last 8 years and used to the low torque but don't do the miles to justify them and trying to go back to petrol. I have 2 cars including this, a Golf Mk4 1.9 and maybe the Astra 1.8 auto I mentioned. Wont be keeping all 3 2 will get sold or 1 if I don't get the Astra.


As I say it's not right saying it's gutless, it's obviously me that is the problem