As the instigator of the other S60 thread, I thought I'd drop in my tuppence worth.
We pick up our 07 S60 D5 SE manual on saturday. We really like the look of the car, and were struck with what a nice place to be the cabin is. Lots of toys in the SE- you get cruise, dual zone climate and full leather- only missing parking sensots (only on the SE lux). We've paid for these to be fitted and also for flip-in mirrors (not selected on ours).
It's a pretty rapid carv too in D5 form, and as has been pointed out gives good MPG. It also has that feel that Volvos have of having been hewn from the solid rather than bolted together.
I'd suggest trying one out, see if you like it. We liked the auto, but just felt that it robbed too much performance and reduced the fun factor.
Biggest problem we had was finding a nice one!
Good luck,
Alex.
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I would definitely go for the S60 over the Mondeo, especially with the way that S60 prices are dropping at the moment.
I've had an S60 2.0T for just over a year and been very, very happy with it. Had no issues with not having a heated windscreen, as mentioned above the strong demist booster button does the job.
Make sure you get one that has the Dolby Pro Logic sound system, mine has it with 13 speakers and the sound is just awesome!
I also like the dual zone climate control, the heated seats, cruise control, the big boot and the seats (the S40 I had before felt very comfortable but the S60 seats are excellent on a long journey).
There are a couple of things that I don't like. One is the turning circle, which is huge, but it's not really an issue, what is more of a problem for me is the low speed ride and tramlining. I've found (through recommendation on the Volvo owners forum) that increasing the tyre pressures to 34 front and 33 rear seems to improve the ride hugely.
Chris.
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Having had both I would say it all depends on your priorities. If it is handling and ride comfort then the Mondeo is the way to go. If it is comfort over long distances, a superb engine, character and not being one of the crowd, then the S60 is the one.
The 16 inch wheels only came on the 'S' version, which while the entry level version is very well specced. Ride in thumpy over potholes still. Leather is standard on the SE (at least it was a couple of years ago).
I had a 163hp D5 S model for 90k miles from new and when I part exed it I was getting over 50mpg, despite it being driven hard. Loved the car. The boot is huge but the opening is quite narrow. You wont generally miss a rear wiper due to the aerodynamics that keep the rear screen clear and the window demisting function is indeed very good.
I still look whistfully at S60's on the rare occasions I see them (mainly on Police reality shows!). Great car.
The Mondeo is also a great car. Hard to fault really. Lots of value for money, accomlished, good quality, good dealers, reliable but also cheap to fix.
I think you should be happy with either. As far as going to diesel is concerned, then if you are like me you will never go back to petrol because of the characteristics of the engine (high torque, no need to constantly change gear) but I do high milage so could justify offsetting the extra cost of the car over the fuel savings. Need to get your calculator out to see if it justifies it for you.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
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Thanks to all for input so far, I obviously need to find a local S60 to go and see!!
However, I just got back from the local Ford dealer, where I think I've found a bargain, and it isn't really what I was after - not least as it's over my price - but what a car!
57 Mondeo 2.5 (petrol) Sport, loads of extras (and the basic spec is pretty good!), 12k, Ford Direct - £11.5k.
I can afford it and it's a lot cheaper than anything similar on Autotrader. I'm am very close to going for it. Someone tell me why I shouldn't!! (And I'll probably still buy it...)
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Sounds great so long as you can write off your requirement for something proofed against VED increases. That sounds like it might be a high CO2 offender.
But if you want it, get it. Life's too short.
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57 Mondeo 2.5 (petrol) Sport loads of extras (and the basic spec is pretty good!) 12k Ford Direct - £11.5k. I can afford it and it's a lot cheaper than anything similar on Autotrader. I'm am very close to going for it. Someone tell me why I shouldn't!! (And I'll probably still buy it...)
Go for it but be aware that is a Volvo derived T5 engine and the running costs will be closer to Volvo than Ford.
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57 Mondeo 2.5 (petrol) Sport loads of extras (and the basic spec is pretty good!) 12k Ford Direct - £11.5k. I can afford it and it's a lot cheaper than anything similar on Autotrader. I'm am very close to going for it. Someone tell me why I shouldn't!! (And I'll probably still buy it...)
You shouldn't buy this car because for only a couple thousand more you can get a Volvo S80 V8 same age, same or less miles...Proper effortless V8 motoring mmmmmm.
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Echoing Chris White's comments above, I used to have an S60 2.0T in S-spec. This is probably the bargain S60 to seek out. Well-equipped, although not full leather, and the engine is a peach. Some of the D5s and SEs might be outside your price-bracket?
DP will probably be on here in a mo to add his rave review of his S60 2.0T too...
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I was lucky with mine, although being a base 2.0T S, it was a Volvo demonstrator so fully loaded (full leather, trip computer, winter pack, Dolby Pro Logic, climate control, electric sunroof, T5 alloys).
Regarding tumbling prices, there was an S60 2.0T S on Autotrader the other week, 2001 model, 60k miles, FSH for £1,795.
A lot of car for the money, and the 5-cyclinder petrol engine sounds great and goes well.
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DP will probably be on here in a mo to add his rave review of his S60 2.0T too...
Heh heh, am I that predictable?
Seriously though, not too much to add to the sound advice / comments above, except to say that I'm still smitten with mine. Faults really do only add up to the lumpy ride, poor turning circle and rubbish rear space. Oh, and the rear screen could really do with a wiper when you're at lower speeds.
The 2.0T is a good choice - not as quick as the T5, but much more economical, and it will actually average over 30 to the gallon without trying too hard. Nobody I know who had a T5 managed to average much more than about 25 mpg. Mine's about to click over 140,000 miles, is completely original except for the clutch and alternator (and service parts), but is still oil tight, sweet, and still hauls past a ton with ridiculous ease, and gives me 33-34 mpg when driven more sensibly. Still sounds ace as well.
I had a Mondeo II before this which was a brilliant car which I would defend to the hilt, but the way the Volvo is put together is in a different league. Not only in terms of the interior fit and finish, but the engineering under the skin. When you take something apart, the fasteners aren't rotten, they come undone easily, and the components come to bits without effort. When you reassemble, it slots back together perfectly and any covers refit perfectly and seal first time. People always say this about BMWs, but it's true of Volvos also (the S60 anyway).
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I would agree - but then the S60 was designed before Ford got at Volvo...
659.
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