e02923

As per above... (Have to get her out of the Scoob somehow !)
We have seen a nice one but it originates from Germany. (have been told it has a better spec). It is an 'R' reg and has been owned locally but don't know what the original year of manufacture is.
Anyone see any problems ? Is there anyway to tell year of manuf from model number/chassis number ??
Should I check anything else (ie reg. doc's etc)

carl

You know it's a Mitsubish Carisma underneath, don't you?

ProperCharlie

aren't the older ones vectras underneath?

carl

No, the older ones are Mitsubishi Carisma's underneath
The original message did say "R" reg, so I assumed '98 rather than 1976 or whatever...

Miles

Nah, you're thinking of Saab 900s.
With Volvos it's best to stick to the Swedish built models....

imlach

The Saab 900/9-3 is a Vectra underneath.

ProperCharlie

i'm sure volvo made something on the vectra platform. maybe i just imagined it. they're still sh*t - whatever the underpinnings.

ProperCharlie

ahh - all is explained. my post crossed with the helpful ones about the saab.

carl

Ah, but with Saab's it's even more complicated. "Proper" 900s aren't shared with anything. The first NG900's (1994-ish) are Vectras, as are the 9-3s, IIRC. The 9000s were also shared platforms with the Lancia Thema and something else -- an Alfa IIRC. Maybe the 164 or the 155?

IWatkins

The new (this year IIRC) Volvo S40 is based on the same chassis as the Mazda 3. The Mazda 3 is based on the Ford C1 chassis, i.e. Focus/Focus C-Max.

Bonkers in'it ?

Cheers

Ian

imlach

The Saab 9000 was shared with the Lancia Thema, Fiat Croma, and the Alfa 164 of course.

Miles

Ah yes, the "Type 4" floorplan. Common components like the doors and floor were shared between the Alfa 164/Fiat Croma/Lancia Thema[1]/Saab 9000.

[1] 8.32 please!

imlach

...yes, and of course the Saab 9-2 (?) is an Impreza Wagon

carl

http://www.saabtec.co.uk/guide.shtml says:
"The SAAB 9000 is based on a floorpan developed by SAAB and Fiat/Lancia. Cars like the Alfa 164 and the Lancia Thema share the same floorpan, but that's where the similarity ends. "
No mention of the Fiat Croma though...

Although http://www.saabtrader.co.uk/history10.htm says "Styled by Italian Giorgetto Giugiaro, the 9000 ultimately ended up significantly different from its sister cars the Fiat Croma and the Lancia Thema. "

So I reckon it's Saab 9000, Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema, Alfa 164. Of the lot, I'd take an Alfa 164 V6 Cloverleaf, or a Lancia Thema 8.32

imlach

Fiat Croma here....

e02923

I'll get my coat............. !!!!!!

ProperCharlie

the Ford C1 will based volvo should be a lot better than its predecessors. ford can make a decent chassis these days.

carl

F**k me. I didn't know they shared the bodywork as well as the floorpan!

Back on topic -- S40 review here: http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/ca...x?range_id=444

If you can get one cheap, I reckon they look pretty OK and far better than a Vectra/Mondeo. How they handle/ride I don't know.

Confession time: I was all set to get an S40 T4 (or an Alfa 156 V6) before the Scoob tempted me

ProperCharlie

wasn't the thema 8.32 the one with the ferrari lump in it?

ultimate Q car

imlach

It was, shame about the rest of the car!

carl

8.32 was supposed to be the lifetime of the front tyres, in seconds.
Apparently the engine, although derived from the Ferrari 328's, was actually made by Ducati.

Miles

8cyl 32valve. IIRC the engine had to come out to replace the spark plugs at the back of the block

Lord Jeffery Wode esq.

buy the ****er - you are unlikely to have any problems with it. I had an R reg s40 and wish i had still kept it. Cu*t here can disagree, but as far as reliability goes it was the best car I ever owned.

imlach

Amazing how many anoraks come out of the closet at midnight on a Saturday

e02923

Thankyou !!!! Somebody remembered the original post !!!!

ProperCharlie

ah well - another one to cross off the shopping list.

so these s40s - apparently they are quite good, if you like that sort of thing?

carl

Not a patch on a 2.0 406 though

Not that we're a 406 family (I sold my sister's 406 2.0 SRi Turbo to someone I worked with), but my dad is selling his 406 V6 if you want an upgrade. Apparently it's possible to get 30mpg if you try hard. But it's green. Although it is metallic green.

ProperCharlie

pmsl at metallic, carl

i'm struggling to get 30 mpg out of the 2.0l, so i would have to reckon on about 20 mpg for the V6. Still tempted though - how much does he want for it?

carl

WTF are you doing?
I got about 34-35 mpg out of the same car. Do you have lead shoes?

I'll ask how much he wants for it. I know he got a good deal when he bought it, so he may be able to let it go for a decent price. It's got a throaty exhaust on it too, and sounds pretty good. Seems quick enough, too. I believe that Saxo Boy has one as well (not that that's any sort of recommendation )

ProperCharlie

the wife says i'm not allowed to buy any more cars as we are (read i am) supposed to be saving up for our wedding - but that's never stopped me before (could be why we still aren't married - eight years later). actually the last tank i got 450 miles from 67 litres. seems pretty good but i've left my mpg calculating spreadsheet at work.

as for sb having one - yeah i heard. i'll be making him an offer for it, once he's been sacked.