Just read a thread about someone 'missing' his Volvo S60 after he sold it recently. Well, we sold a VW Golf Mk V a couple of weeks ago and I won't be missing it one bit!

It was PANTS! Our fault, because we were totally taken in by the marketing hype and the drivel that some reviews contain.

Quality? Do me a favour.
- The paintwork was truly appallingly fragile, prone to the types of vsible scratches that cannot be polished out but are too minor to warrant a respray.
- The interior was full of cheapo plastic, with rough edges in places (e.g. door pockets).
- The doors 'clanged' rather than 'clunked'.
- The drivetrain was very unforgiving, jolting the car with a real bang when changing gear (OK, this was intermittent, but I've never had it with any other car in 20 years of driving)
- Spurious dashboard warning lights. Code reads and subsequent investigations could never identify an actual problem.

I can't believe I let this car get to me....I literally hated it....I actually swore at it I hated it so much...so it had to go. In contrast to other posters' comments about their cars being missed in the same way as a pet that's gone missing, the Golf was rabid dog that needed to be put down. So sold it to the first person that responded to the ad. Good luck to them. Read more

Diesel. Before Christmas failed to start, diagnosed as injector problem (mechanical), eventually resulted in specialist stripping out and reconditioning all 4 injectors. Refitted, together with replacement fuel filter unit, all reprogrammed (2 weeks in garage, mega money).
1 week ago (max 800 miles later), noted oil or fuel leak and LOTs of white smoke on starting, plus juddering at low speeds (below 30mph). Back to garage, (replaced gland on oil valve on engine top) and found possible loose fuel hose, tightened with aim of fixing any reason for air in system. Car running again, smooth start.
Ran it 300miles over weekend, come Monday morning, temp about -1C, very difficult to start. Tuesday morning, temp below -1C, no start at all. Engine dash 'stop', 'battery' and 'oil can' lights all flick on now when attempting start. Oil was topped up on Sat, but still says check oil level. After no start today was hauled back to garage today, they wonder if air in system/ but have also suggested supermarket fuel may be to blame - but last fillup was 30litres of Shell Diesel after which we did 125 miles fine! Currently at injector specialist being looked into.
Can anyone offer some helpful comments? Read more

I have had the Volvo XC90 just under two weeks and have driven about 700 miles which for me is a lot. I am slowly getting to grips with it and in fact most of the issues I now have with it are down to the poor preparation by the supplying Volvo dealer.

Like all diesel automatics, it need to wake up and stretch in the morning and the fuel consumption is dreadful at that time and also stuck in traffic and city streets at any time. You can't quiet see the fuel gauge drop but the average on the trip meter certainly does. Also the heavy steering is a bit of a bind although it gets easier as the car gets warmer. Not a car for city centre driving but then who wants to drive in city centres unless you have a Smart?

On any form of slightly open road the car really comes into itself with a relaxed gait and excellent economy for the bulk. Very comfortable seats, excellent driving position partly marred by thick pillars, and easy to use controls on the steering wheel. The radio volume and cruise control switches control these devices in a more defined way than the Outback.

The kids love it; the high position, quietness of the interior and quality radio. My daughter loves her integral booster seat, which gives her a superb view out front.

There are some things I am not keen on. There is nowhere to store the luggage cover if the rear seats are in use. The ride is a bit firm over potholes, but then I am using the ECO tyre pressures.

The headlights should be great but the previous owner used beam reflectors and removing them has left some deep scratches which I think are throwing the beam off. The car came with a new MoT but I am disappointed that the dealer did not deal with this nor did he replace the winter pack carpet mats or the First Aid kit in the boot. Bit of a poor show really. Makes me less certain to buy a car long distance now with asking far more questions. My experience with buying the Outback long distance was second to none.

All in all I am getting more used to it. It is fine and in some respects is better than the Outback, but then it is doing a different job. If I did not need the space, I would still consider an Outback because the all the good things about it and the bad things (lack of space mainly) would be irrelevant. But needed that space, the Volvo makes a good fist of it. The bets in the office of when I would change it are lengthening!



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I like to think that I am a fairly cautious driver, who generally drives fairly conservatively, especially in residential areas.

However, I can't help but notice that I definitely slow down, when within a few streets of my home. Anecdotally, it also seems to me that my neighbours tend to drive along my street more slowly than other visitors.

Now, I guess there is the issue that their friends and families live in the area, but I think there is perhaps something else at play in terms of feeling part of a community and protecting that community.

Just wondered if anybody gets a similar sensation when they are driving in their own neighbourhoods. Read more

Hello all

My step daughter was involved in a collision last Tuesday. The police and insurance company have deemed it to be her fault. She has comprehensive insurance and the car recovered (though not by the insurance company due to a breakdown in communications) to a local yard then on to the insurer's approved repairer. She has been told today that it is a write-off.

As well as the excess (which of course, she has to pay) she has been told that she must also pay £300 to scrap the car. I don't know whether the garage or the insurance company want her to pay this but I'm a little unsure as to why she should stump up to scrap a car that has been written off by her insurance company.

She's also been given a courtesy car by the garage so now her car has been written off, I'd imagine that she'd have to give the courtesy car back quick-smart. Thing is, she lives in Manchester and the garage is in Wallasey - a distance of about 50 miles. She's a nurse and works 12 hour shifts so can she pick and choose when to return the car? She's pretty upset by it all to be honest and her current stance is 'if they want their car they can come and get it' - not a view that the garage would concur with, I'd wager...

Just for reference, her car's a '52' plate Fiat Punto 1.2 Active.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Read more