V50 General : - T5 economy?

bgeake · Jul 3rd, 2010, 22:53

I've been offered a 54 V50 T5, 1 owner, FSH, 84k miles for £5,500. Dealer is husband of a workmate of my wife's so should be kosher. Seems a good deal, but is it right for me?

Major point is this: is the T5 a full on fast car or can it pootle? I am looking to replace a tatty Mondeo 1.8 and do not need the power. Would prefer something softer, but the attraction of a good quality car in good condition is strong, and the T5 seems not to hold its value as well as the diesels. I'm a low insurance risk / good NCD, which helps.

Can the T5 be driven gently and smoothly and get over 30 mpg? I have seen accounts of people getting 19-25 which is not good enough for me. Opinions?

Thanks all,

Bill.

Clan · Jul 3rd, 2010, 23:09

you dont buy a T5 if you dont need the power, you'd be better off with an 1800 petrol or one of the diesels .. Yes the T5 can be driven as gently and smoothly as any other car in the range but its not going to be efficient around town and yes you could get 30 mpg on runs .. If you buy the T5 its going to be the wrong car you dont want a car capable of 0-60 in 7 seconds and 150 mph .. insurance , tax , tyres , running costs are going to be very high , and its very easy easy to do 20 mpg in it .. its the wrong car for you .. There are lots more around similar even if you have to pay £500 - £ 1000 more You could get a very nice V70 D5 for that kind of money around 2004 which would go VERY well and do over 40 mpg every day every where ..

t5_monkey · Jul 4th, 2010, 00:32

I've got an S40 T5.

never went below 30mpg when standard, got 34 on a run.

Nowadays, drops to about 28 around and about, and 34 on a run.

If you drive it gently, you'll get fairly good economy.

can be a bit heavier on tyres etc... and insurance, but not so bad really - mines done 24000 miles over 3 years and no major problems (touch wood) just tyres n petrol.

They're better on long runs, if you do short runs the economy will suffer significantly.

A Stock V50 T5 will be smooth, quiet, very refined, quick - not a full on sports car, a swift saloon - sounds ideal for you

you'll need some upgrades to really bring it to life tho (strut brace, IPD rollbar, remap)

iainmd · Jul 4th, 2010, 13:03

The T5's a beutiful car to drive. Smooth, refined and quick when you need it but I average 28mpg with a combination of in-town driving and A roads. It doesn't do much motorway cruising these days but when it did it average a couple of mpg higher.

Iain

bgeake · Jul 4th, 2010, 23:23

Thanks to all for this - it kind of confirms what I had thought. My (lowish) mileage does have quite a lot of short trips, a few 50 milers and a couple of 300+ milers a year. So I think even being careful, 30 mpg will be a good result.

This would give me a fuel bill of about £1000 a year, and I can probably save 25-30% of that with a small petrol or a diesel, and 95% of the time I will not be bothered about the power difference. So a lesser model will make more sense, depending on the price (it seems that thirsty petrol cars are unpopular and hence cheap so there might still be some logic).

Thanks again - what a nice forum this is!

Bill.

Jul 3rd, 2010, 22:53	#1
bgeake New Member Last Online: Jul 4th, 2010 23:35 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Edinburgh	T5 economy? I've been offered a 54 V50 T5, 1 owner, FSH, 84k miles for £5,500. Dealer is husband of a workmate of my wife's so should be kosher. Seems a good deal, but is it right for me? Major point is this: is the T5 a full on fast car or can it pootle? I am looking to replace a tatty Mondeo 1.8 and do not need the power. Would prefer something softer, but the attraction of a good quality car in good condition is strong, and the T5 seems not to hold its value as well as the diesels. I'm a low insurance risk / good NCD, which helps. Can the T5 be driven gently and smoothly and get over 30 mpg? I have seen accounts of people getting 19-25 which is not good enough for me. Opinions? Thanks all, Bill.

Jul 3rd, 2010, 23:09	#2
Clan Experienced Member Last Online: Yesterday 23:23 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: L/H side	you dont buy a T5 if you dont need the power, you'd be better off with an 1800 petrol or one of the diesels .. Yes the T5 can be driven as gently and smoothly as any other car in the range but its not going to be efficient around town and yes you could get 30 mpg on runs .. If you buy the T5 its going to be the wrong car you dont want a car capable of 0-60 in 7 seconds and 150 mph .. insurance , tax , tyres , running costs are going to be very high , and its very easy easy to do 20 mpg in it .. its the wrong car for you .. There are lots more around similar even if you have to pay £500 - £ 1000 more You could get a very nice V70 D5 for that kind of money around 2004 which would go VERY well and do over 40 mpg every day every where .. __________________ My comments are only based on my opinions and vast experience .

Jul 4th, 2010, 13:03	#4
iainmd Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:13 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fife View Photos By: iainmd	The T5's a beutiful car to drive. Smooth, refined and quick when you need it but I average 28mpg with a combination of in-town driving and A roads. It doesn't do much motorway cruising these days but when it did it average a couple of mpg higher. Iain __________________ Present: 2009 Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Past: 2004 Volvo S40 T5 SE

Jul 4th, 2010, 00:32	#3
t5_monkey Monkeying Around Last Online: Mar 13th, 2016 20:05 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: York	I've got an S40 T5. never went below 30mpg when standard, got 34 on a run. Nowadays, drops to about 28 around and about, and 34 on a run. If you drive it gently, you'll get fairly good economy. can be a bit heavier on tyres etc... and insurance, but not so bad really - mines done 24000 miles over 3 years and no major problems (touch wood) just tyres n petrol. They're better on long runs, if you do short runs the economy will suffer significantly. A Stock V50 T5 will be smooth, quiet, very refined, quick - not a full on sports car, a swift saloon - sounds ideal for you you'll need some upgrades to really bring it to life tho (strut brace, IPD rollbar, remap)

Jul 4th, 2010, 23:23	#5
bgeake New Member Last Online: Jul 4th, 2010 23:35 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Edinburgh	Thanks to all for this - it kind of confirms what I had thought. My (lowish) mileage does have quite a lot of short trips, a few 50 milers and a couple of 300+ milers a year. So I think even being careful, 30 mpg will be a good result. This would give me a fuel bill of about £1000 a year, and I can probably save 25-30% of that with a small petrol or a diesel, and 95% of the time I will not be bothered about the power difference. So a lesser model will make more sense, depending on the price (it seems that thirsty petrol cars are unpopular and hence cheap so there might still be some logic). Thanks again - what a nice forum this is! Bill.

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