I'm a huge Volvo fan, and have owned many, from a 265GLE to an 850T5. My Brother in Law was always a Ford man, with a few detours with VW and Peugeot, so a good few months ago he surprised us all by saying he really wanted a new V40! A windfall came his way so he went off to the local Volvo dealer and ordered a Passion Red D2 R design, with cruise, rear park sensors, winter pack, spare wheel and flex floor. A week later he collected it and drove it home. He then fell ill and sadly died nearly 2 weeks ago, having only driven the car 75 miles.
My Sister and he had discussed the car and both said that if he couldn't drive again the car should go to me which caused me a few sleepless nights, but having spoken about it all with my sister I have agreed to take over the care of the car.
At this point I would like to say how brilliant the staff at Barnetts Volvo in Dundee have been- from the first enquiry to sorting out the paperwork etc. I have been in the Motor Trade for over 20 years, and it restores my faith in dealerships and the sales side of the business. They really went above and beyond. It has a 3 year service contract so hopefully this side will be as good.
I was a firm "bangernomics" motorist, being a mechanic and MOT tester I tend to buy older unloved vehicles and keep them running sweet- a hobby as well as a vehicle. A new car to me is something I prepare for other people or gaze at in the showroom. My wife and I just returned from Frankfurt last month after visiting the motor show in out old MGF which did the journey totally fault free and very economically!
To the Volvo- still getting my head around it- digital radio, beeps and bongs, auto wipers and lights, hands free, bluetooth... all alien to me but I'm coming round.. but all I'll have to do it clean and polish it.. no more weekends changing steering racks or wiper motors....hopefully! I've only driven it 120 miles or so, so still getting used to it- I now work as a breakdown driver on call, so will be doing very few miles in the car.
