Thanks for all the comments guys!
It sounds like I may be on my own re the V70 - I know it's a good car, but I just really didn't like the feel of the thing!
Most of the time the car will have just my 3 kids in (so the pop-up seat in the boot will only be used for the school run when we take some friends' kids in as well) - therefore the middle seat in the back needs to be a proper seat and not an arm-rest! This is where the V70 really fails - that seat is virtually unusable imho.
Mind you, my wife is now eyeing the Fiat Multipla - that should make the Pug seem reliable in comparison!!
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"Mind you, my wife is now eyeing the Fiat Multipla - that should make the Pug seem reliable in comparison!!"- I have to take issue with the above-I've had 6 Fiats, mostly some years ago but currently I have a Punto HGT and I have had no more trouble with any of them than any other car I've owned, in some cases a lot less. I've also had a number of Saabs which have had at least as many problems as the Fiats, so judge by experience, not reputation.
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Are we talking current model or previous model V70, please?
If current model, then I may be able to help with questions as I own one, a 2.4T SE - with fabulous interior BTW! ;-)
The only thing I really don't like is a collossal turning circle that makes manoeuvering in tight places the most awkward of any car I have driven. Something to bear in mind for a school run car. After just eight weeks of ownership, I have already scuffed one alloy, having never done so in my previous cars.
The seats are simply tremendous, front and back. Along with my father's S80, easily the most supportive and comfortable over long journeys of any car I have travelled in, including other makes such as SAAB that are reputed to have good seats.
Of Volvo and Pug in general however, some observations:
My father has been running Volvos since 1972.
1972-1983 144 1.9 S
1979-1989 244 2.1 DL
1989- 440 1.7 GL (Still going strong)
1998- S80 2.4 S (Still going strong)
In these 31 years, he has only been let down twice: In 1978 with the 144 when a fibre timing gear stripped its teeth, and by the 440 when nearly new, when the radiator bottom hose came off. Pretty good going for the intergalactic mileage that these cars represent, and when it comes to serene and unruffled travel, the S80 - and our V70 for that matter - is a peach.
I travel to Sweden a lot, and have taken many taxi rides in both current and previous model V70s, often with mileages that beggar belief. I have yet to find a taxi driver who regretted his choice of wheels. Infact, the last one I travelled in explained why he had switched from Mercedes - because of back ache!
My wife drives a Pug 306 1.8 8v Sedan, and whilst it has never broken down, there is no comparison when it comes to build quality. The gaps between interior plastic mouldings are just the start, and with the knowldge gained through maintaining the car, I now know that the car is just as cheaply constructed under the skin, where the engineering can't hold a candle even to my previous Vectras, let alone the Volvo. (See my thread on 'Discussion' about the wing mirror as one example)
Of course, the Pug did cost tuppence ha'penny to buy, it costs even less to run, and although no road rocket, it lives up to Peugeot's 'handling and ride reputation' (tarnished with some newer models), and is a hoot to drive on twisty roads. The seats however are too soft, and give me back ache after an hour, and with the factory fit sunroof, I struggle to fit in the car (I am 5'10") without opening the blind and using the extra 1" this gives me!
A colleague ran a Pug 406 for three years, and couldn't get rid of it quick enough. Seduced by the comfort apparent in a test drive, the flashy chrome trim everywhere, and the huge amount of kit for his money, he then paid the price when he had to live with it. Very unreliable, usually electrics, very uncomfortable on long hauls, and worth nothing when he parted with it. Mad fool that he is, he replaced it with an Alfa which he REALLY regretted!
For your criteria as described, and from family experience over 31 years, it's the Volvo I would buy without doubt, even if the previous generation V70.
Hope you are happy with whatever you choose.
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I've had a 98R 406 family estate for just over a year now; mine's the 2.1 TD, and although I didn't especially need the seven seats, it will be useful when I come to sell it.
I have now added 30k to the mileage, mostly motorway driving, and (I'm sure that I will regregt this now!!) reliability has been fine.
Went to the garage once to have the cooling fans circuit fixed, a nasty little job that took three days - the mechanic had to chase a wiring fault. Other than that, she starts every day, I have had none of the much-talked about brake problems that some owners have suffered. It's got good points and bad points; I've had 405's up until now, the 406 has some useful storage space but is actually lower in the loadspace and I can't now fit my son's computer desk in upright when I fetch him from university.
One thing to watch is folding the rear seat down. I have just had two instances of the centre seat belt inertia reel locking when the seat back is down. Only cure was to unbolt the other end from under the seat. Very tricky. Now, I pull the belt right out and loop it around the front seat back to stop it happening.
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