V70 D5 S ~ should we buy her?

[Bernard333]

I think its over priced , there is still a slight premium for petrol over diesel in the older models but I have seen quite a few 2002 V70 D5 SEs with less than 180k miles sell for £1300 to £1500 . Buying from a dealer you should be getting more protection than the 'sold as seen' private sales I look at but still I would go in and ask for £ 300 or £400 off the price and then negotiate , tell him you are really looking for an SE and not the S. Make a list of everything that goes wrong like injectors/auto box / DMF etc

[Rick Barton]

It sounds to me like you're getting carried away with the first one you've found. I'd say back off a bit and look at others, preferably closer and with lower mileage. There should be no problem with taking your own mechanic to carry out an inspection - if you met with resistance to that, walk away. Given that you've got a tame mechanic, you could find a privately offered car closer to home and pay him to inspect it and still save money over a dealer's car.

[Olaf2011]

Spike, you might have been lucky with your set of P6000 but you will find many complaints about them on this forum (and others). I took the advice from here and changed to another brand (Falken ZE 912) at the front and hey, drives like a new car: better grip and much better handling, especially in the wet, and, more inportantly, no tramlining - the car finally goes where I want it to go (and those tyres are even cheaper as a bonus). And no, I don't drive the old ship like a Ferrari even though my boy wants me to...

[Spike1918]

Originally Posted by Olaf2011

Spike, you might have been lucky with your set of P6000 but you will find many complaints about them on this forum (and others). I took the advice from here and changed to another brand (Falken ZE 912) at the front and hey, drives like a new car: better grip and much better handling, especially in the wet, and, more inportantly, no tramlining - the car finally goes where I want it to go (and those tyres are even cheaper as a bonus). And no, I don't drive the old ship like a Ferrari even though my boy wants me to...

I intend to go over to Uniroyals at some time in the future, I have a good contact for getting them at `mates rates` but for now at least I`m happy with my Pirellis.
I really have not experienced ANY negative effects from the Pirellis personally and I`m a qualified vehicle technician although not currently working in the motor trade.

[Hillie]

It sounds to me like you're getting carried away with the first one you've found. I'd say back off a bit and look at others, preferably closer and with lower mileage.

Yes, you are completely right....it is the first one, however out here in the outback of Stroud, there are no others in the vicinity....next closest one is in Bucks...a 3 hour round drive and that one is a 2004 with 170k on the cloc!. We are picking the caravan up next friday, so really need something within that time period...

still I would go in and ask for £ 300 or £400 off the price and then negotiate , tell him you are really looking for an SE and not the S.

noted... I will try my most electrifying sales pitch!! can you tell me the difference between the SE and S? Mind you, he'll probably know that there's no SE's available within 100 miles of us !!

outnumbered ~ thanks for that... have added to list of questions to ask the dealer....

I called a friend who lives in the Forest of Dean....he said he's heard no bad reports from that particular dealer on the grapevine....used to be a main dealer for Vauxhaull until 3 years ago and then they went "private". It was then shut for a while and bought by a chap who only lasted a few months before giving up. New owner has been there 18 months and I must admit, this owner seemed to be pushed to the back whilst the "old timers" took hold of everything.....(don't you just LOVE these Foresters' lol).

Anyway, sorry, boring you all with irrelevant details....

What I plan to do tomorrow is telephone them and ask exactly what their 3 month warranty covers. Friend on the phone tonight said ask whether it's a warranty covered by their own garage, as opposed to an insurance warranty that might only cover things that break. He suggested if they are giving their own warranty then that is better. He said also to ask what the "cap" or "value" of their warranty is worth.....i.e. if their warranty only covers, say £200, then that's also not a good warranty.

Also to ask for the name of the garage who has done these "full service history" services, as, if it's a local garage as opposed to a Volvo service, then, again, maybe cause for concern.

My gut feeling, as a woman, is that they are honest. We have visited so many dealers over the past few days I've kinda got a feel for their "jargon"... Having said that, I just know you will all "poo poo" that so I promise to report back tomorrow after my phone call!

Once again, thanks for all your help, time and advice!! We WILL be Volvo owners one day, I'm sure

[Bernard333]

I think there are more SE spec V70/S60s around than the basic S version so theres not a big premium price on the SE but you get leather seats / better radio / Amalthea 17inch wheels etc . Its rare to see an S spec car that has not got optional extras that almost make it SE spec but its worth negotiating a lower price because of it and most buyers want the SE spec .

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, Just a few extensions of thoughts already presented. Leather seats might be desirable if that's the only way to get heated seats-IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT. Turn them on too. They can burn out and people sometimes kneel on them and hasten their death. Regarding the 17" wheels. I have 195-65-15's on my V70 and couldn't be happier. Prices increase with diameter and lower profile tyres are more likely to "cause" wheel damage. My significant other has 225-45-17 on slightly dented wheels. You're pulling a caravan into camp grounds and backing into unfamiliar spaces. Rejoice if the car you choose has 15's or 16's. BUT REMEMBER, a car with larger wheels could have the larger brake rotors. If your caravan doesn't have brakes that could be a consideration for you. Any guarantee has only been as good as the company which offers it. If they promise to fix things, it would be to your benefit to have them fixed before you pay. And don't fall for that "the parts are on order and we'll call you" nonsense. I'm sorry to tell you but dealers are practiced at seeming honest and employ their jargon with surgical deftness. Do shop around. Kira

[Hillie]

on the SE but you get leather seats / better radio / Amalthea 17inch wheels etc

actually, we don't like leather seats....find them too cold LOL!

As far as tyres go....the previous owner had just put new winter tyres on, which were still on when we went for a test drive ~ he's throwing them in for free, but is changing the tyres back to Summer ones. He said out of the four summer tyres that came with the car, two are good and he'll put two new summer tyres on too. I'll check with him today which tyres he intends putting on.

If your caravan doesn't have brakes that could be a consideration for you.

We're having a brand new Al-ko stabiliser put on, but I guess that's not brakes! mmm, something to check with the caravan dealer then! Thanks for that tip

Any guarantee has only been as good as the company which offers it. If they promise to fix things, it would be to your benefit to have them fixed before you pay.

Yes, i've got to double check what their Warranty covers....

I'll get back later today after my phone call! Wish me luck LOL!

Hillie

[outnumbered]

i would hope your caravan has brakes

[Rick Barton]

Originally Posted by Spike1918

...but for now at least I`m happy with my Pirellis.
I really have not experienced ANY negative effects from the Pirellis personally and I`m a qualified vehicle technician although not currently working in the motor trade.

I agree with you. I have been perfectly happy with my Pirelli P6000s. I have also tried Michelins and found them to have a different feel, but neither better nor worse.