Showing results in  Forum [Show all channels]

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• Long distance commute - car choice 19 Jan 2008 (Forum)
  I would happily forego a few mpg, the Corolla does around 46mpg, in return for enhanced safety and protection. A big diesel volvo for example loks to return 40+. A quick look on autotrader suggests that a very nice S80 can be had for around 8k which is what my toyota would be worth. Not so nifty around the lanes perhaps, but brick outhouse style construction.
• Peugeot 407 Coupe (2006 - ) - Ownership experience. 19 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  It's very difficult to judge where the extremities of the car are (especially the front). The visual display in the car gives a helping hand, more so than the 'beeping'. (Something that Volvo could learn from). Full size (steel) spare also included. I was dubious about the reliability of the tyre pressure sensors. However, just before setting out on a long trip, I got a visual and audible warning of low pressure.
• Rover 75 (1999 - 2005) - What should I do?! 3 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  MG ZS which obviously is nothing like what I said I was looking for, and on driving it was disgusted by the noise and horrible ride(!), 2. Saab 9-3 2.0T which was a brute but didn't feel right and was high mileage, 3. Volvo C70 which was lovely to look at even in bright red. 2.4 auto and really nice performance, though handling was no better than my Mk II Mondeo in my opinion, but still a very nice space to be in. 4.
• Modern traditional - who does it well? 25 May 2007 (Forum)
  The 2005 facelift has thrown away a lot of that good, subtle work in the vain hope of beating the Germans at their own game. Volvo (or is it Ford?) has held its nerve much better and had the courage to remain distinctively Swedish. So, discuss!
• Mid sized MPV with 5+ cyl petrol engine 26 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  The new Galaxy is longer and wider than the missus wants, likewise the Galaxy with a haircut, the superb S-Max, so buying ex-demo versions of either of these with the fabulous Volvo 2.5T engine is unlikely. Can any BRer think of a true Zafira sized MPV with front wheel drive, at least 6 seats, a 5 or 6 cylinder engine, and available second hand or ex-demo? I can't find one from a trawl through the mags, which to be honest has not surprised me, but does one exist that I have missed before I resign us to a 1.8 base model with adjust-it-yourself aircon?
• Is 6 Grand+5 y/o a car tipping point? 16 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  I like big cars with all the toys and literally you're spoilt for choice around the 6k mark and about 5 years old. I'm thinking here of mass market cars such as Mondeo 2.5's / Vectra 3.2's / Omegas / Volvo S60's , each would typically have about 50/60 k miles on the clock. Its these types of car that I've always seemed to end up with and they've ALWAYs cost an arm and a leg to keep fuelled and on the road.
• Prejudice against BMW & Merc drivers 26 Nov 2003 (Forum)
  b) if it's an Impreza then you are a danger on the road, young man, and you will surely end up in a ditch by the time I'm home. Volvo - you are smug and have no awareness of what is going on around you. You don't need to be aware, because you believe you are completely safe and untouchable in your Swedish box. White van - you are the fastest thing on the road - I will move out of your way & give you max. respect.
• Skoda Octavia Hatchback - Is there such a thing as an SUV for SPORTS? 12 Mar 2015 (Forum)
  It certainly won't do for us both. So far, I have tried the Yeti, Tiguan, BMW X-3, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Volvo XC60 and written off several others because the difference in fuel economy and performance from their old fashioned auto boxes is more than I want to give up. Has anyone come across an SUV that has a useful (seats up) boot?
• Mazda MX-5 - Owner's Diary 2 Oct 2013 (Forum)
  Well I have done an owner's review for the main site and I have now got a bit of time to add one to the forum, in the manner of Craigpd's Volvo V60 review. I have had the MX-5 for 10 days now, and I've done about 230 miles in it, all mixed driving at the moment.  Been bezzing it up and down the M6 and driving around town too. Driving it: As I said, mixed driving so far.
• Mondeo - £1K family cars 13 Jan 2013 (Forum)
  My current short list is: Ford Mondeo Vauxhall Vectra Mazda 626/6 Nissan Primera Toyota Avensis Honda Accord VW Passat Skoda Octavia BMW? Merc? Volvo? Now some rationale for them. I've had a Mondeo, it was comfy, it was reasonably powerful, good to drive and parts were cheap. However, in 4 years I needed front wishbones done twice and I gather that's not that unusual.
• Jaguar X-Type Estate (2004 - 2007) - Jag X type estate, good idea?? 17 Mar 2009 (Forum)
  FWD preferred, we live in the sticks and the recent snow was just not a problem for me unlike when I had my RWD auto Merc. Of course with my mileage economy has to be an issue. So giving it a little thought the Volvo S60 diesel would be good, but only 4 doors. V70 size just too large for the country lanes where I would like a more nimble car. BMW? Well, my chum has had endless trouble with run flat tyres etc and a completely useless dealer which has caused me to hold back there.
• Insurance costs for new drivers 9 Oct 2018 (Forum)
  I do remember many years ago being on holiday to the Orkney Islands to visit a family friend and he was showing me the Volvo 440 he had got for his son as a first car and despite having quite a big engine, he said it was cheaper to insure because it was considered a low risk car. Presumably bought by a more responsible type!.
• Audi Q2 - first 1,000 miles 25 May 2018 (Forum)
  BMW 220i Active Tourer - this came very close, but they don't hold their value as well as Q2s, the seats aren't very comfortable, and you have to put up with those infuriating BMW stalks for indicators and wipers. Volvo XC40 - should I have waited for one of these? I managed to get a good long test-drive in one, and it felt wallowy, rather like a Nissan Qashqai.  It went where I wanted it to, but in a rather remote, detached way.
• More proof salesmen are idiots 29 Sep 2016 (Forum)
  Need to get test drives in petrol cars and no one has demonstrators. And lets not forget the Volvo V60 still looks a possibility as is the Seat Ateca. Need to look over both and drive them.
• Unreliable European overpriced cars in 11 Nov 2004 (Forum)
  BMW 7 Series Toyota Avalon Jaguar X-Type Lexus LS430 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Lexus GS300/GS430 (previous versions) Mercedes-Benz C-Class (V6) Buick Regal (discontinued) Volvo S60 (AWD) Pontiac Grand Prix Saab 9-3 Hyundai Sonata Pontiac Grand Prix (supercharged) Infiniti G35 (AWD) Volkswagen Passat (AWD) BMW 5 Series Source: Consumer Reports The Toyota Tundra was the only pick-up truck to earn a top rating in the survey.
• Petrol, diesel, hybrid? (No EVs please) - Advice on car for retirement 2 Aug 2022 (Forum)
  Not a great fan of the Germans having seen mates go through all sorts of nightmares with VWs and Mercs, while I'm not and never have been a BMW type (qv all those Citroens and Saabs over the years). Bit suspicious of Volvo since the Chinese takeover but I'm probably looking anyway at something that predates that. Open to Japanese or Korean though. I have a Mazda MX5, kept garaged, for sunny days though it only gets about 1000 miles a year, and I have thought of replacing both with a single car.
• New car - making a shortlist 28 Feb 2016 (Forum)
  VW Golf SV     So far no VW dealer can find a 1.4 TSI GT for me to try: I'd like to, but see above re DSG and general worries about longevity. Volvo V60    Never mind the magazine road tests: this is a very strong contender and drives much better than they say. Probably the best seats in the business.  Automatic is a torque-converter.
• Saab - Time running out to buy one of the last 21 Mar 2013 (Forum)
  New 1 hour 24 min ago Shame that SAAB went under, they have the Swedish cool Volvo could never have. Would prefer to see Renault or Peugeot (I like Citroen) go under rather than SAAB, but who knows, maybe now they are in bed with GM they could be next! reply Flag as offensive Citroen C4 Picasso 7-st (2007 - ) - - 10 day hire car review 12 Jun 2008 (Forum)
  Had a C4 Grand Picasso as hire car for holiday in Spain with wife, 2 daughter and parents, although parents drove down in their Volvo had this as was reasonable cheap (EUR 300) and meant only having to take one car if all went out together. No idea on engine or spec as had no manual or badges, but engine was very pokey diesel, so must have been the 2 litre (EGS box gave it away too) and colour changing screen, climate, cruise control made me think upper range model.
• Protection from rear impacts 13 Sep 2007 (Forum)
  d be interested to see the comparative rear-impact performance of say Fabia and Focus hatches against their saloon and estate versions. I see Fifth Gear are to (frontal) crash a Renault Modus into an old Volvo (240-ish) on tonight?s programme. I?m betting that the Modus will be deemed to ?have done well, and have minimal deformation of the passenger compartment?, ?but what G-forces would its passengers have been subjected to?