Looking for recommendations

[rippedoffagain]

Originally Posted by straightsix

Ran a 163 D5 for three years , Superb car , Easy to maintain generally , excellent build quality , Economical , Very practical , Not a drivers car as such but hey ho...

Is that a particular model year I need to look for? I like the sound of it being a real volvo. I really don't like all the fancy pants space age electronics that feature in modern disposable cars.

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by straightsix

Nah ...if your gonna buy a volvo buy a real one not some pale imitation ..Real ones can get to mars and back no problem ...

Pah!!

[The Thong]

Sadly, if you’re going with a D5 fancy pants electronics is all part and parcel. SS is correct, they’re very good on fuel and have impressive longivity. Be warned though, there’s lots of abused examples out there so shop carefully or you’ll be shelling out a fortune in repairs.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by rippedoffagain

Is that a particular model year I need to look for? I like the sound of it being a real volvo. I really don't like all the fancy pants space age electronics that feature in modern disposable cars.

The holy grail is the Euro 3 facelift model if you can find one from 2004/5 which has the more modern aesthetic combined with the previous generation engine.

[straightsix]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

The holy grail is the Euro 3 facelift model if you can find one from 2004/5 which has the more modern aesthetic combined with the previous generation engine.

That’s the model i owned ...superb , And no DPF to worry about

[straightsix]

Originally Posted by The Thong

Sadly, if you’re going with a D5 fancy pants electronics is all part and parcel. SS is correct, they’re very good on fuel and have impressive longivity. Be warned though, there’s lots of abused examples out there so shop carefully or you’ll be shelling out a fortune in repairs.

That’s sound advice , you do need to do your homework...

[rippedoffagain]

I've found a 54 plate V70 D5 locally for a grand.

I am really tempted, but from what folks are saying, I'm worried it's a bit cheap.

It apparently has 'loads of service history' and a few months mot.

You good people advise me to do my homework
, but what would I look for? I'm not mechanic. I'd test drive it and if it felt alright I'd probably buy it. But I keep doing that,and sometimes I've ended up with a really decent car and other times I've ended up with a right heap of manure.

Edit: here we go. I've just found out it has gear box trouble, but the seller will fix it. In my experience that usual means the seller will botch a fix that will last til I get it away and use it for a few days.

[ThomasG]

Why won't you just ask for someone from here (and living in your area) to come with you to have a look/test drive car you like?
By the sound of it, not the one with gearbox trouble, though..

[rippedoffagain]

Originally Posted by ThomasG

Why won't you just ask for someone from here (and living in your area) to come with you to have a look/test drive car you like?
By the sound of it, not the one with gearbox trouble, though..

I'd be up for that, but I've ruled out the one that's for sale locally. Gearbox trouble is in my opinion enough to reduce a car to the status of 'spares or repair'. The seller would know that, so before even seeing the car I can't trust him.

Besides, either this model is prone to gearbox trouble, or this particular car has had a hard life. Both possibilities put me off a bit.

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by rippedoffagain

I'd be up for that, but I've ruled out the one that's for sale locally. Gearbox trouble is in my opinion enough to reduce a car to the status of 'spares or repair'. The seller would know that, so before even seeing the car I can't trust him.

Besides, either this model is prone to gearbox trouble, or this particular car has had a hard life. Both possibilities put me off a bit.

Manual or (I assume) automatic? It's not necessarily a no-no, depending on how serious the issue is. Many problems are cured by a full ATF change with JWS 3309 fluid. Could be why cheap.