jonmorris

There isn't a S70 now! The S60 sits on one side of the S70 and the S80 the other and try as I might, I really cannot see the difference between the S60 and S80 (apart from engines and dimensions). The interior looks identical and from the outside they look the same (despite the size differences).

Also, is the S80 T6 fast enough to carry the extra weight the S80 presumably has?

To add to the confusion, we'll also see the S40 and V50 in the future (no V40). I don't know why Fo.. sorry Volvo are doing that but would love to find out!

The S40R looks interesting though. It may well end up being the closest thing to the Focus Cosworth because the way things are going, nobody knows for sure if the Cosworth will still happen.

If Ford leave WRC for a year, this will not help things - although they could use that to their advantage (drop out for a year or two and then come back with a brand new car, at the same time as the launch of the road going version).

[Edited by jonmorris - 10/9/2003 6:22:10 PM]

All Talk

These appear quite cheap, does anyone know much about them. The magazines say they don't hande too well but as I do loads of motorway miles that's no big deal, unless it's terrible. Also the new D5 engine appeals, anyone driven one.

Can't afford BMW/Audi, don't fancy VW.

Any comments welcome.

289

D5 is excelent, though not hugely fast. Good mile-muncher, handles OKish, cheap to buy and run, reliable, can crash and survive (you, not the car!)

Fantastic stereo, good controls, but a bit tight in the back for bigger adults.

And they look not bad

RESSE

iTrader: (1)

Cannot comment on personal experience, but a solicitor friend of mine has one of these, and says the seats are the best in any car he has owned.

brickboy

I had an extended test drive in a D5 (while my old T4 was being serviced). Great engine, very grunty and a nice sound too. More like a big petrol motor than a diesel in both revvability and refinement.

Handling a bit dead but it is neutral and fairly flat ... just not much involvement.

VERY comfy though, I've owned two Volvos and the seats are the biz for my frame.

If you can get one reasonably cheap it would be a very good second-hand buy.

The petrol turbos are very tunable too

All Talk

Sort of matches my thoughts .. I've seen D5's through dealers for around the £15k mark for 02 plate. Standard 2.0T go for around £2k cheaper .. Any more thoughts, just out of interest whats the T5 version like, 250bhp through front wheels should be interesting.

chinnybloke

I had a T5 S60 have a go at me in my M5. Caught me out a little bit because I didnt think it would be so quick. I am used to pulling away from cars without dropping down any gears. I pulled away but nothing like how I expected too.

Top cars I reckon. The new R one is very quick but someone at our offices has just bought one and its a dodgy light blue colour. I think they look great, far better than a 3 series BM.

TopBanana

Brickboy - how does it compare to the Passat? Any more refined?

brickboy

jlanng -- the S60 is more refined than the Passat, no question. The engine noise and vibration is much better insulated from the cabin. It also handles better IMHO, much less understeer.

I chose the Passat 'cos the D5 isn't great emissions and tax-wise (company car) and although the on-paper power & torque of the D5 is higher, the Passat feels and goes just as quick in the "real world" , largely because of the 6-speed box.

But if it was a private buy rather than a company car choice, I'd go for the Volvo, because of the refinement, the excellent seats and the difference factor.

Have you been Jabba's yet, BTW?

Reffro

Just as an aside, have a look at the Skoda Superb. Cheaper, more spec and an whole lot larger than a Passat, but with the same engines. My friends are running one, and they both love it.

Up_North

I went from an STi7 to an S60 T5 SE Auto. I loved the STi - for short spurts. Trouble was most of my driving was motorway and I was sometimes getting out the car in pain!!!

I think the S60, certainly in T5 form, is superb. Best seats I've ever sat in. Mine had top of the range HU803 hi-fi which is excellent and just about electric everything. Also had separate left and right air con.

In the end I got rid of it cos it was just a tad boring to drive and went back to an Impreza - this time a MY03 WRX with PPP which I think gets the balance right between comfort and performance.

But if I really wanted a so-called samll-exec car I'd seriously consider the S60 again. And of course if you want even more practicality the V70 is it's estate twin.

Ian

Simon S3

The V70 is not the S60`s estate twin! It may be a brother, but not a twin, the S70 is the V70`s twin.

All Talk

What sort of mpg did you get from the T5, I do a lot of company miles and need to ensure I'm not funding the business. Does Anyone know what you get from the normal 180bhp 2.0 turbo. Official figures tend to be misleading - I do mostly fast motorway stuff with the odd 90 mile cross country run.

Up_North

Simon S3 - I think you'll find there's no such current car as the S70.

All Talk - in the T5 on motorway journeys I averaged 27ish mpg.

Ian

Simon S3

OK, the S70 may be gone but...

Doesn`t Volvo`s model code go like this

S40 (saloon) V40 (versatile/varient)
S60 (saloon)
S70 (dead perhaps, but was a saloon) V70 (versatile/verient)
C70 (coupe)
XC90 (cross country I guess)

So the way I see it, the V70 and S60 are about as similar as an Impreza and Forester. Remember, the V70 is a descendent of the 850 which was released way before the S60.

[Edited by Simon S3 - 10/10/2003 5:04:14 AM]

jonmorris

Simon S3, you are right except Volvo seem to have "lost the plot" a bit.

S70 and V40 are now history, so we have the S40 and V50 (out next year) and then the S60/S80 and V70. I think I'm right in that the S80 is the saloon version of the V70 (or is it the S60?)!

Goodness knows why Volvo have done this, although maybe people didn't understand the S/V thing (so why would they understand XC etc?) and the number is the significant part..

i.e. 40 (Saloon), 50 (estate), 60 (saloon), 70 (estate), 80 (saloon), 90 (over the top school-run poseurmobile)

Mal K

I saw one of M-Sports Volvo S60 T5 AWD gravel cars advertised locally. Brand new, delivery miles, think it was up for around £17k. Downside was its LHD. Still a lot of car for the money.
Mal

GTI

Even numbers = saloons (i.e S40, S60, S80)
Odd numbers = SUV and Estate (i.e V40 soon to be V50, V70, XC90 and there will be a smaller SUV based vaguely on new focus/V50 platform.

God knows why they just come up with some posh word for an estate like a tourer or avant.

Hope its sheds some light not much as Ford own them and they are as ramdom as well anything really.

jonmorris

The "V" does stand for something although I forget? Maybe it's something in Swedish (V being pronounced W for Wagon?) or Versatile or something.

If they're going purely by the numbers now, why have S, V or XC at all?

It's the same as mobile phone makers who can't decide how to number things. Nokia being the worst, as they change their categories to often for it to become well organised.. and they release too many phones too!!

Gary VR6

My Dad's got a 180bhp 2.0t s60; it's automatic, so you can't go mad with it, but it pulls sweetly enough. Rolls abit around corners. Supremely quiet and refined. Best stereo ever - there's a bloody great sub above the dash (honest). Very comfy seats. I'd seriously consider buying one to live in.

jonmorris

They were doing Dolby Pro Logic systems years ago, which must have sounded quite good. Didn't the C70 have one of the best audio systems on any car (at the time)?