Advice needed please. What Volvo to go for!

Mar 5th, 2007, 12:14

Hi
Been reading here for a while but only just registered and a newbie poster. (sorry if it's in the wrong thread).

We're looking to buy a family car and Volvo's seem a pretty safe & reliable bet. We've seen a few models but so far it's between an S40 (pre-2000 models and our preferred choice) and an S70 (pre-2000 models). Estates aren't really what we're looking for, so they're out, and manuals are our preferred transmission choice.

Any advice? Are they both just as reliable? Parts pricey?
We know nothing about Volvo's really, never had one before and don't know anyone who has!
Any advice would be appreciated. Our budget is £3000, but could stretch to £3500 for the right car.
Many thanks

CTCNetwork · Mar 5th, 2007, 12:26

Hi,

Saloons are cheaper than the estates. Estates being, usually, the prefered choice given that Volvo are the quintessential estate/load lugger.

If you can, get a 1998 or earlier, and you will miss out on the ETM issues that bugged 1999 to 2002 cars.
If you have to go newer, then try geting a dealer sold one with warranty and read up on the ETM issue..
A browse through the technical forum for the model will give you an idea or what issues you can expect to possibly pop up with your selected car..

Welcome to the forums and enjoy your stay here..
Good luck in your search..

Des. . .

Mar 5th, 2007, 15:08

Thanks for the reply Des.

One question - what's ETM?

We've been looking through the various topics etc.. but until we pick one it's all a bit daunting reading the posts!

Cheers
Mon

Big T · Mar 5th, 2007, 15:16

I bought a Volvo for the same reason as we had a nipper on the way!!

I went for the s40, I have the CD version so get full electrics and leather with heated seats, cruise control, air con, lecky sunroof etc.

Mine cost me £3000 18 months ago with only 65000 miles with dealer warranty for 3 months so you should get one a lot cheaper now.

I've had no probs apart from drop links and as you can probably tell by my sig she hasn't been driven gently!!!

The boot is huge and I find it much more pratical and better to drive than the misses 02 Focus Ghia!!

Hope that helps!!

Mar 5th, 2007, 15:21

Thanks for the advice. Looks like a lovely car.
We've been looking around quite a bit but not really had a lot of choice, probably because we've ruled out automatics. The area we live doesn't seem to have a lot of choice either and not on the cheap side either.
Leather seats eh? Always been put off by them in the past and might need some pushing for that!

£3000 doesn't seem to go far either, to get a really decent one you seem to need about £3500 (Essex way) and the mileage seems high.
OH has to have a day off this week (if he can manage it) so we can go trawling for cars again!

CTCNetwork · Mar 5th, 2007, 16:13

Hi,

ETM = Electronic Throttle Module
Linky....

Des. . .

Big T · Mar 5th, 2007, 20:03

Theres a few on this page!!!

Nice T4 for £2.5K!!!!

or a 1.8 on a 2001 with 60,000 and 12 months warranty £3300, get em both down by a couple of hundred!!!

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...arch_full.y=10

Mar 6th, 2007, 13:23

Many thanks to both of you for the links.

We've now done the reading on the ETM issue but wanted to ask, is it resolved with most cars now? Or is it something that can rear it's ugly head whenever it feels like it? Is it wise to ask the seller if they've had a problem?

Baj · Mar 6th, 2007, 13:56

I would ask if it has had the ETM clean done (on a car in the qualifying period). If they look blank then you have a bargaining point. The clean is free through Volvo but they dont know that.

I wouldn't worry about mileage. With looking after most of the engines are good for 250k easily.

You can pick up a 10yr old 850 for 1-1.5k and spnd the rest on something nice (like wheels)

Mar 6th, 2007, 20:22

Thanks Baj.
We'll try that question tomorrow and see what answer (or look!) we get!

Don't mention wheels - I've got a fixation with getting some nice alloys as our current car doesn't have them and I want them!!

Mar 5th, 2007, 12:14	#1
monno2 Guest Location:	Advice needed please. What Volvo to go for! Hi Been reading here for a while but only just registered and a newbie poster. (sorry if it's in the wrong thread). We're looking to buy a family car and Volvo's seem a pretty safe & reliable bet. We've seen a few models but so far it's between an S40 (pre-2000 models and our preferred choice) and an S70 (pre-2000 models). Estates aren't really what we're looking for, so they're out, and manuals are our preferred transmission choice. Any advice? Are they both just as reliable? Parts pricey? We know nothing about Volvo's really, never had one before and don't know anyone who has! Any advice would be appreciated. Our budget is £3000, but could stretch to £3500 for the right car. Many thanks

Mar 5th, 2007, 12:26	#2
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, Saloons are cheaper than the estates. Estates being, usually, the prefered choice given that Volvo are the quintessential estate/load lugger. If you can, get a 1998 or earlier, and you will miss out on the ETM issues that bugged 1999 to 2002 cars. If you have to go newer, then try geting a dealer sold one with warranty and read up on the ETM issue.. A browse through the technical forum for the model will give you an idea or what issues you can expect to possibly pop up with your selected car.. Welcome to the forums and enjoy your stay here.. Good luck in your search.. Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Mar 5th, 2007, 16:13	#6
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, ETM = Electronic Throttle Module Linky.... Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Mar 6th, 2007, 13:56	#9
Baj New Member Last Online: Jun 28th, 2018 17:46 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aldershot	I would ask if it has had the ETM clean done (on a car in the qualifying period). If they look blank then you have a bargaining point. The clean is free through Volvo but they dont know that. I wouldn't worry about mileage. With looking after most of the engines are good for 250k easily. You can pick up a 10yr old 850 for 1-1.5k and spnd the rest on something nice (like wheels) __________________ 02 S60 SE spec. Pearlescent metallic grey. 18" alloys

Mar 5th, 2007, 15:08	#3
monno2 Guest Location:	Thanks for the reply Des. One question - what's ETM? We've been looking through the various topics etc.. but until we pick one it's all a bit daunting reading the posts! Cheers Mon

Mar 5th, 2007, 15:16	#4
Big T Jimmy's Mate! Last Online: Oct 16th, 2010 20:49 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dunstable View Photos By: Big T	I bought a Volvo for the same reason as we had a nipper on the way!! I went for the s40, I have the CD version so get full electrics and leather with heated seats, cruise control, air con, lecky sunroof etc. Mine cost me £3000 18 months ago with only 65000 miles with dealer warranty for 3 months so you should get one a lot cheaper now. I've had no probs apart from drop links and as you can probably tell by my sig she hasn't been driven gently!!! The boot is huge and I find it much more pratical and better to drive than the misses 02 Focus Ghia!! Hope that helps!!

Mar 5th, 2007, 15:21	#5
monno2 Guest Location:	Thanks for the advice. Looks like a lovely car. We've been looking around quite a bit but not really had a lot of choice, probably because we've ruled out automatics. The area we live doesn't seem to have a lot of choice either and not on the cheap side either. Leather seats eh? Always been put off by them in the past and might need some pushing for that! £3000 doesn't seem to go far either, to get a really decent one you seem to need about £3500 (Essex way) and the mileage seems high. OH has to have a day off this week (if he can manage it) so we can go trawling for cars again!

Mar 5th, 2007, 20:03	#7
Big T Jimmy's Mate! Last Online: Oct 16th, 2010 20:49 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dunstable View Photos By: Big T	Theres a few on this page!!! Nice T4 for £2.5K!!!! or a 1.8 on a 2001 with 60,000 and 12 months warranty £3300, get em both down by a couple of hundred!!! http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...arch_full.y=10

Mar 6th, 2007, 13:23	#8
monno2 Guest Location:	Many thanks to both of you for the links. We've now done the reading on the ETM issue but wanted to ask, is it resolved with most cars now? Or is it something that can rear it's ugly head whenever it feels like it? Is it wise to ask the seller if they've had a problem?

Mar 6th, 2007, 20:22	#10
monno2 Guest Location:	Thanks Baj. We'll try that question tomorrow and see what answer (or look!) we get! Don't mention wheels - I've got a fixation with getting some nice alloys as our current car doesn't have them and I want them!!

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