Volvo future?

[Guy Dickinson]

I have a 2003 Volvo V70 D5 bought from new. Its the best car I've ever had by miles (I'm now the ridiculous age of 70!). Really comfortable drive, good power, room etc. I also reckon the V70 of that era is easily one of the best looking cars I've ever seen - despite what the old Top Gear lot might say. You don't hear many people say that - which surprises me (why not?). But the future? I'd like to continue driving these but they say they're going to be all electric in 2 years or am I wrong. Not keen really. My V70 is getting on a bit and I am at a loss what, when the time comes, to replace it with. I suppose diesel is out now (may be banned from city centres and so on). Dilemma. Thoughts?

[green van man]

I have baught my last Volvo. There is no manual option on the v90 which replaces the v70 and I will not drive an auto if I can help it.
It's not just Volvo, Landover, BMW ,Mercedes, all auto only on v70 equivalents since about 2012.

Looks like I shall be looking at Honda, Hyundai Suzuki or subaru to get manual transmition on the next car.

Paul.

[NigelDay]

Originally Posted by green van man

I have baught my last Volvo. There is no manual option on the v90 which replaces the v70 and I will not drive an auto if I can help it.
It's not just Volvo, Landover, BMW ,Mercedes, all auto only on v70 equivalents since about 2012.

Looks like I shall be looking at Honda, Hyundai Suzuki or subaru to get manual transmition on the next car.

Paul.

I'm also a manual 'dinosaur' and agree it is disappointing to see manufacturers gradually phasing-out manual boxes. When they do still fit them, they are often restricted to the lower-power engines.

[oragex]

Originally Posted by NigelDay

I'm also a manual 'dinosaur' and agree it is disappointing to see manufacturers gradually phasing-out manual boxes.

Yes, the old school, in 20 years from now a manual 325i in good condition will be worth gold. Wait until nostalgia kicks in.

As for the gearbox shifter, we still get the paddle shifters, I personally like that. I think many, as we grow old, prefer to have less pedals for some reason

Back to the topic, to me the 2001-2009 Volvo were the last quality Volvos. It was a time when the company had such a management team that decided to put quality in front of everything. The team of those years went on spending more money on many parts, than most competitors. Alas, such attitude is very rare in the competing market. It happens once in a while, but it doesn't last when the management changes company or simply when the board of directors decide the customer will buy anyway even with cheaper parts.

I don't think the 2010+ Volvos are much better in quality than the competition. Don't think either many 2010+ Volvos will do high mileages (300000+ miles) like so many P2 models did. Newer P3 models have cheaper components and combined with the well known culture of the Volvo company of denial and refusal to take responsibility for engineering defects out of the warranty period, I would be afraid to own a hybrid or all electric Volvo past the 100000 miles mark.

[prc68]

Originally Posted by oragex

I don't think the 2010+ Volvos are much better in quality than the competition. Don't think either many 2010+ Volvos will do high mileages (300000+ miles) like so many P2 models did. Newer P3 models have cheaper components and combined with the well known culture of the Volvo company of denial and refusal to take responsibility for engineering defects out of the warranty period, I would be afraid to own a hybrid or all electric Volvo past the 100000 miles mark.

That is true of most if not all premium makes. A present day C-class mercedes has much inferior parts to a 2005 or 2006 C-class.
I can give you a couple of engineering defects were the manufacturer refused to take responsibility. I think this is a trend across all companies. It's all about money and nothing else.

[TheCyclist]

As mentioned above, "If it aint broke dont fix it" do you need to change it, you could end up spending a load of money and not feel that you have gained anything.

I have sort just gone the other way. Having recently had a brand new Skoda Superb I am now the proud owner of a 5 year old V70. There are very few things that I miss, certainly not enough to justify spending the extra money which is now sat in my bank rather than depreciating in a car.

[andrewpain]

Originally Posted by Guy Dickinson

I have a 2003 Volvo V70 D5 bought from new. Its the best car I've ever had by miles (I'm now the ridiculous age of 70!). Really comfortable drive, good power, room etc. I also reckon the V70 of that era is easily one of the best looking cars I've ever seen - despite what the old Top Gear lot might say. You don't hear many people say that - which surprises me (why not?). But the future? I'd like to continue driving these but they say they're going to be all electric in 2 years or am I wrong. Not keen really. My V70 is getting on a bit and I am at a loss what, when the time comes, to replace it with. I suppose diesel is out now (may be banned from city centres and so on). Dilemma. Thoughts?

I think all-electric in 2 years is way too ambitious.
All HYBRID- possibly.
So why not get a low-miler V90 when the time comes? Getting great reviews.....

[rustytoba]

Hi,

In all honesty Britain isn't the only country where Volvo sell cars that has very poor electric vehicle infrastructure, I would consider an electric car if I could drive on rural roads from Lands End to John O' Groats or even from Glasgow to Dover but there aren't enough charging points, sure the range on electric cars are far better than they ever used to be they even charge a lot quicker but there would always be the fear of running out of juice especially in the sort of weather we've been getting.

They may decide to rethink and go down the all hybrid route that would at least guarantee them a better survival in the market as I believe the new XC40 uses a 3 cylinder petrol engine developed to work in future hybrid models they plan to release or so the rumors go.

Scott

[Guy Dickinson]

I think the electric thing is way too optimistic. As you say - hardly any charging points etc etc. And are they really that environmental? May be in the area round the car but the power stations will be working overtime, probably belching out more CO2 in many cases. Also the transfer of energy from power station to car will lose a lot of it.

[wimorrison]

Volvo haven't said they will be all electric by 2020, they said they will be electric drive which allows them to be hybrid by 2020 and still meet the advertising hype