Stupid question, but here me out...

doingitsideways · Mar 8th, 2018, 18:13

I have among others on the fleet a V8 Exec and an old 850TDi that I use for work as a self employed bathroom fitter.

I've been thinking lately, or rather admitted to myself, that although the 850 has proved entirely unkillable It's just not quite big enough for my needs any more. Nevertheless, with 320-odd thousand on the clock it steadfastly refuses to die so I've lived with it.

I hit a quite frankly ridiculous pothole on the M6 shortly after Christmas, which took all the N/S suspension with it. The weight I carry no doubt didn't help here, but I was forced to use the XC90 for a few days until I could free up some time to get the spanners out.
I found the extra space in the '90 amazing and I suppose that probably planted a seed.

Fast forward to now and over the last couple of weeks, I must have hit half a dozen more potholes, meaning I need MORE new tyres and I've honestly had enough of the state of our roads.

So...
I'm thinking of maybe buying a tatty early XC90 to use as a workhorse and was wondering if anyone has done the same?
I know deep down that I should buy a van, but I don't have much of a budget. Well, no budget at the moment, plus I've been down the cheap van road many times over the years and it's never ended well.
I know a rough '90 would potentially need work, but I know Volvos pretty well and I'm handy with the spanners.

I was thinking of stripping the back two rows of seats out and lining it out properly.
MOT wouldn't be a problem with only having two seats as I have a mate with an MOT bay.
Lower spec probably, with big, chunky tyres to fight the shambolic roads around here.
Also, I have a bad back and I've been spoilt with Volvo seats for years!

I'd really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks,
Steve

SwissXC90 · Mar 8th, 2018, 18:46

Would it help you to know that the XC90 actually came in a "Van" version?
Although I've never seen one...

doingitsideways · Mar 8th, 2018, 18:56

Yeah, I've seen that option in Vida.
Never seen one myself.

There is a company in the UK offering to supply brand new XC90 "vans"
Not so sure I have to £40k asking price down the back of the sofa though!

XJSDriver · Mar 9th, 2018, 17:02

Would have thought an old XC90 is an expensive option as lots to go wrong!

If you are trade, there are amazing rental options out there which you can offset against tax and get yourself into one of those amazing 4x4s all the builders drive now.

Tannaton · Mar 9th, 2018, 20:30

I've got a 2003 XC90 which I sort of use as a van (for our small holding so bags of feed, power washers, etc) and it is very good at it. The split tailgate gives great access and stops stuff falling out when it's chock full.

I do regret that we have the tan leather interior, not the black though. Have one or two marks now.

So yes if you can get a car for say £2.5k with your experience you should be able to run it at low cost (ish).

FYI Nene Land Rover specialist do offer and aftermarket "Commercial" conversion for the new XC90 - I've seen one and it looks very, very good (just like Land Rover Discovery).

http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/nene-ut90/

Just shows what is possible with some hardware from e-bay....

A lot of the paramedic XC70's were stripped out and fitted like this.

A nice van and all of your expensive tools protected by SIPS air bags!

Stu V8 2007 · Mar 11th, 2018, 17:29

We use ours as a campervan, and it's brilliant.
All the seats down, and a huge inflatable mattress which fills the whole area perfectly. With two up we only need the front seats so the bed area with our kit remains insitu when we move on each day, no setup time required. Two storage boxes lashed to the load brackets to keep them fixed. Just back from a trip to cornwall, was warm and comfortable. The car already has tinted windows, but we add a full window sunblind kit when we stop, they are made to fit the XC90 and pop off in seconds. I think we need to invest in a top box though, I hesitated due to the effect on the mpg (V8). Off to Wales next! These cars are briliant and very adaptable.

doingitsideways · Mar 11th, 2018, 22:07

Thanks for your replies.

Given me some food for thought.

Like I said, I know I need a van really, but Volvo don't strictly make them lol

I was looking at a fairly cheap XC for the same reason I've ran an 850 for the last few years -
it's mine, not the bank's.
I'm not cash rich by any means and could do without another finance agreement around my neck as having been there before, it's amazing how quickly the money runs out when the work does.

I've thought about a pickup before, but a fella I used to work for had one and we all (his staff) found it hilarious how little he could fit in it, even with a hard top fitted.
Plus, they have Escort van syndrome - one point of access, so if you need something from the front, you have to empty the bloody thing first.

Tannaton · Mar 11th, 2018, 23:53

I’ve thought about pickups loads of times, it’s the lack of security that kills it for me.

Tannaton · Mar 11th, 2018, 23:57

Ey up....

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=188911

luggsey · Mar 12th, 2018, 06:42

Check out taking out the seats, blank the side windows and registering it as a van, maybe cheaper to run or not?

Mar 8th, 2018, 18:13	#1
doingitsideways The Daddy Last Online: Feb 29th, 2024 15:07 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manchester	Stupid question, but here me out... I have among others on the fleet a V8 Exec and an old 850TDi that I use for work as a self employed bathroom fitter. I've been thinking lately, or rather admitted to myself, that although the 850 has proved entirely unkillable It's just not quite big enough for my needs any more. Nevertheless, with 320-odd thousand on the clock it steadfastly refuses to die so I've lived with it. I hit a quite frankly ridiculous pothole on the M6 shortly after Christmas, which took all the N/S suspension with it. The weight I carry no doubt didn't help here, but I was forced to use the XC90 for a few days until I could free up some time to get the spanners out. I found the extra space in the '90 amazing and I suppose that probably planted a seed. Fast forward to now and over the last couple of weeks, I must have hit half a dozen more potholes, meaning I need MORE new tyres and I've honestly had enough of the state of our roads. So... I'm thinking of maybe buying a tatty early XC90 to use as a workhorse and was wondering if anyone has done the same? I know deep down that I should buy a van, but I don't have much of a budget. Well, no budget at the moment, plus I've been down the cheap van road many times over the years and it's never ended well. I know a rough '90 would potentially need work, but I know Volvos pretty well and I'm handy with the spanners. I was thinking of stripping the back two rows of seats out and lining it out properly. MOT wouldn't be a problem with only having two seats as I have a mate with an MOT bay. Lower spec probably, with big, chunky tyres to fight the shambolic roads around here. Also, I have a bad back and I've been spoilt with Volvo seats for years! I'd really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks, Steve __________________ XC90 V8 Exec, C70 2.4T Convertible, S70 T5 CD, 850 TDI, 2 x Escort vans and a 2.8i Capri. Clearout has begun, but must continue! Last edited by doingitsideways; Mar 8th, 2018 at 18:18.

Mar 8th, 2018, 18:46	#2
SwissXC90 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 20th, 2024 18:26 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Cross Country	Would it help you to know that the XC90 actually came in a "Van" version? Although I've never seen one... __________________ XC90 R-Design MY2009, Black Sapphire Metallic. HP-Sound, RSE, Nav, Tel, ParkingCam, BLIS, ParkingHeater, RestHeat, Removable Towbar, Summer: CRATUS 20x8 on Pirelli Scorpion Zeros 255/45, Winter: NEPTUNE 17x7 on Continental WinterContact 4x4 235/65.

Mar 8th, 2018, 18:56	#3
doingitsideways The Daddy Last Online: Feb 29th, 2024 15:07 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manchester	Yeah, I've seen that option in Vida. Never seen one myself. There is a company in the UK offering to supply brand new XC90 "vans" Not so sure I have to £40k asking price down the back of the sofa though! __________________ XC90 V8 Exec, C70 2.4T Convertible, S70 T5 CD, 850 TDI, 2 x Escort vans and a 2.8i Capri. Clearout has begun, but must continue!

Mar 9th, 2018, 20:30	#5
Tannaton Bungling Amateur Last Online: Today 00:18 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Beverley, East Yorks	I've got a 2003 XC90 which I sort of use as a van (for our small holding so bags of feed, power washers, etc) and it is very good at it. The split tailgate gives great access and stops stuff falling out when it's chock full. I do regret that we have the tan leather interior, not the black though. Have one or two marks now. So yes if you can get a car for say £2.5k with your experience you should be able to run it at low cost (ish). FYI Nene Land Rover specialist do offer and aftermarket "Commercial" conversion for the new XC90 - I've seen one and it looks very, very good (just like Land Rover Discovery). http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/nene-ut90/ Just shows what is possible with some hardware from e-bay.... A lot of the paramedic XC70's were stripped out and fitted like this. A nice van and all of your expensive tools protected by SIPS air bags! __________________ 2011 XC90 D5 Executive 2003 C70 T5 GT 2012 Ford Ranger XL SC 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1976 Massey Ferguson 135 Last edited by Tannaton; Mar 9th, 2018 at 20:34.

Mar 11th, 2018, 22:07	#7
doingitsideways The Daddy Last Online: Feb 29th, 2024 15:07 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Manchester	Thanks for your replies. Given me some food for thought. Like I said, I know I need a van really, but Volvo don't strictly make them lol I was looking at a fairly cheap XC for the same reason I've ran an 850 for the last few years - it's mine, not the bank's. I'm not cash rich by any means and could do without another finance agreement around my neck as having been there before, it's amazing how quickly the money runs out when the work does. I've thought about a pickup before, but a fella I used to work for had one and we all (his staff) found it hilarious how little he could fit in it, even with a hard top fitted. Plus, they have Escort van syndrome - one point of access, so if you need something from the front, you have to empty the bloody thing first. __________________ XC90 V8 Exec, C70 2.4T Convertible, S70 T5 CD, 850 TDI, 2 x Escort vans and a 2.8i Capri. Clearout has begun, but must continue!

Mar 9th, 2018, 17:02	#4
XJSDriver XJS Driver Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 23:00 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Hitchin	Would have thought an old XC90 is an expensive option as lots to go wrong! If you are trade, there are amazing rental options out there which you can offset against tax and get yourself into one of those amazing 4x4s all the builders drive now.

Mar 11th, 2018, 17:29	#6
Stu V8 2007 Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2021 07:58 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Dorsetshire	We use ours as a campervan, and it's brilliant. All the seats down, and a huge inflatable mattress which fills the whole area perfectly. With two up we only need the front seats so the bed area with our kit remains insitu when we move on each day, no setup time required. Two storage boxes lashed to the load brackets to keep them fixed. Just back from a trip to cornwall, was warm and comfortable. The car already has tinted windows, but we add a full window sunblind kit when we stop, they are made to fit the XC90 and pop off in seconds. I think we need to invest in a top box though, I hesitated due to the effect on the mpg (V8). Off to Wales next! These cars are briliant and very adaptable.

Mar 11th, 2018, 23:53	#8
Tannaton Bungling Amateur Last Online: Today 00:18 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Beverley, East Yorks	I’ve thought about pickups loads of times, it’s the lack of security that kills it for me. __________________ 2011 XC90 D5 Executive 2003 C70 T5 GT 2012 Ford Ranger XL SC 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1976 Massey Ferguson 135

Mar 11th, 2018, 23:57	#9
Tannaton Bungling Amateur Last Online: Today 00:18 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Beverley, East Yorks	Ey up.... https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=188911 __________________ 2011 XC90 D5 Executive 2003 C70 T5 GT 2012 Ford Ranger XL SC 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1976 Massey Ferguson 135

Mar 12th, 2018, 06:42	#10
luggsey The truth is out there... Last Online: Aug 10th, 2021 08:43 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Barnstaple	Check out taking out the seats, blank the side windows and registering it as a van, maybe cheaper to run or not? __________________ It's a dogs life! XC70 D5 2006 244K Still chugging! CRV 2.2 2006 216K Reactivated.

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