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I'm looking to replace my trusty Focus Hatch with, possibly, a Volvo V50 2.0D.
Am planning on fitting a towbar for a rear mounted bike rack for biking purposes.
Does the STW massive any any positive or negative views/opinions/experience on the Volvo? (like I need to ask 🙂 )
To me, its essentially a Ford Focus estate. Its not that big inside either. However (for you)- its like a nice step up in something familiar?
TBH I'd prefer a Legacy Estate or V70 but my head says that for most of the time they'd be more car than I'd really need.
Have abandoned the Alfa 159 Sportwagon idea as, being a bit tall, there's no room in the back seat for the children when I have the driver's seeat in the right place for me.
I had one for a year and now have the Octavia. The Volvo engine is very unrefined, boot is smaller,mpg lower. On the plus side it had a better stereo, and was marginably more enjoyable to drive
How many children? I'd personally prefer a V70 over a V50. I testdrove a V50 once and it was ok but nothing special.
I had a V50 T5 for two years.
It is small inside really, brilliant sound system, not cheap to run as parts and service were dear. Fantastic fun to drive and very comfortable on a run.
No issues, nothing went wrong. I sold due to the fuel consumption and a desire to keep my license! Less of a problem with a diesel.
It is a ford really but nicer inside.
Just the two children, Mrs W won't entertain the thought of a Skoda or It'd be the Octavia Vrs diesel hatch for me
V70 over V50 any day. I love my V70 and i can get two dh bikes in the back (seats down) with wheels on, my mate in a newer V50 has to take his front wheel off to get a bike in.
I got the v50 over the 70 as my wife didn't like the length of the 70 which was similar to the Saab we had before.
Worth considering if you're not the only driver. Get some parking sensors!
Just the two children, Mrs W won't entertain the thought of a Skoda or It'd be the Octavia Vrs diesel hatch for me
Then you need to have a stiff word with her. The Octavia is a lot of car for the money.
I had a V50 2.0D & thought it was fantastic.
Did a lot of KM's (170K or so) driven far too enthusiastically & never missed a bit.
It did need 2 headlamp bulbs during this time so can't say it was completely fault free 😀
Inside it is not huge but was enough for a family with 2 kids. (towbar for the bikes).
It is unbelievable to consider that it's a Ford Focus underneath. Drives just as well but the comfort & noise is much better.
It was my company car so was treated like one (badly). I've just bought a C30 privately so that speaks for itself about customer satisfaction.
Haven't driven a V70 for many KM's so can't make a comparison....
one_happy_hippy - MemberJust the two children, Mrs W won't entertain the thought of a Skoda or It'd be the Octavia Vrs diesel hatch for me
Then you need to have a stiff word with her. The Octavia is a lot of car for the money.
I know and am working on it, the only sticking point really is the interior, she thinks it's a bit plasticky (I agree a bit with this) but the VRS is a superb motor and I could get on 58/09 plate on for my budget
My mate is trading his in (2.0D) at the weekend as he has had lots of expensive problems over the couple of years he has owned it. The biggest (and apparently common) expense was the fuel pump going, which cost approx £1000 to fix. It also has a intermittent problem where it cuts out for no reason, but once left for half an hour, it will start again and be fine for a couple of days. This is a common problem going by the forums, but Volvo have been unable to fix it.
But its a nice car otherwise.
Doug
A Honda Accord estate is a lot of very good car for the money IMHO.
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/honda/accord-tourer-2003.aspx
No big problems with mine over 114k miles. I use mine as you want to - towabr rack on the rear. I may have to consider a bigger car soon as there's not much room behind me for my son - I'm 6'2" and there's about 4 inches of space behind my seat. I get about 41-45mpg depending on driving style/season and 20k out of a set of front tyres - it's been the cheapest car to own that I've had with no big bills over 5 years. I service mine myself as well as the stealers charge an obscene amount of money for what are essentially just oil changes.
It might be a focus underneath but it's far better built than all the previous Ford's I've had, things seem to be up a notch on quality of finish and oddly enough, it's more noticeable when you get under the car!