Volvo's image around the world - Page 2

niloc · Nov 5th, 2007, 08:51

29, with a 960 2.5 saloon. Looking to purchase: cardigan, slippers, flat cap, and pipe.
(purely for comic value of course!!)

Letyian · Nov 5th, 2007, 10:01

On my recent travels (1600 miles in the last month), I have seen lots and lots of Mum's driving Volvo's, crammed up, 2 inches away from the windscreen, transporting their brood along the middle lane of the motorway, no matter how many cars undertake them!

Then, there's the guys, bombing it down the m/way, keeping up with the Audi's, Beemers and Mercs with no trouble whatsoever.

I am very relieved that my hubby tells me I'm not a 'middle lane hogger'. I do wear a (trendy girls) cloth cap and purple leather gloves and fill my car with small people, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than whizzing past that really annoying BMW driver (there's one on every motorway in the world, at any given time - they can't help it, they own a BMW) and catching the look of shock on his face as my 16yr old tank flies past!

Carmen

Madman · Nov 7th, 2007, 22:46

Volvo's image here in the States varies depending on whom you ask.

Back in the 1980's, Volvo had a sort of yuppie-car image. Yuppies without kids drove BMWs. Yuppies with kids drove Volvos. Before that, you had the beardy professor types wearing hideous corderoy jackets with patches on the elbows.

Volvos never really had an "old man's" image over here. We have Cadillacs, Lincolns and Buicks for that. Volvo owners these days tend to be portrayed as slightly posh, middle-aged, politically left-of-centre suburbanites who are professionally employed and overwhelmingly white. They don't quite have the kudos of a BMW, Mercedes or even a Lexus but are maybe just a half-step down from those.

What strikes me as odd is the number of people who confuse Volvo with Volkswagen. It must be the "V' that mixes them up. Back when I used to work at a Volvo dealer, this guy came in asking if we had the new Jetta. I told him "No, you have the wrong place. We're a Volvo dealer." He said "Oh, I thought Volvo made the Jetta. Who makes it, then?" We also had another guy ring us up looking for parts for his Beetle! Also, a lot of people seem to think Volvos are German. They are genuinely surprised when I inform them Volvos are Swedish!

Cheers,
Madman of the People

Viking V40 · Nov 13th, 2007, 22:09

I bought my first Volvo when I was 23 and have driven a Volvo as my daily ever since, so that's 12 years happy Volvo-ing. I did get quite a bit of stick initially, all the usual 'pipe and slippers' comments. Nobody seems to bother these days - I think Volvo have changed their image quite a bit. Advertising for the likes of the new C30 seems to be aimed at younger drivers. I really like BMWs but I can't afford one and I feel a bit more confident in a fwd car in snowy/icy conditions so my V40 is fine for me. imac mentioned the word 'discreet' - I think that's the word I would associate with Volvos as well. Dependable, discreet, gets the job done, no fuss.

Charlie007 · Nov 13th, 2007, 23:38

Old mans car! Ha!
Wolf in sheeps clothing.

Truly underestimated car.

Had various new cars before, delivery mileage only, (Polo, 2 Cavaliers, Sierra, Maestro (nobodys perfect) which was finished at 80,000 miles). Then got my first used Volvo and never looked back. 740, 2.3. Did 80,000 miles in 5 years over UK/France. Did Paris to Glasgow in 12 hours! Broke down once with faulty alternator then 3 times in 3 weeks with faulty starter. Got it fixed but my better half lost confidence this time so had to trade it in for a 940 2.3 Turbo - HooooYaaaa.

940 has done 50,000 miles in 4 years over UK/France. Broke down only once when I left everything running with the engine off, Oooops. Battery went flat so left it half an hour and it started as if there was no problem. Know any other car that could do that!?

Bought both cars with 50K on the clock and wasn't worried in the slightest. Considered a Merc both times but wifey thought they looked arrogant. Love the Volvo 'box' styling. Always said to my better half when the design is great you don't need to change it. How often did Rolls Royce change their basic styling?

It just has that 'X' factor. Plenty of power, plenty of room, stunning brakes. Anyway, 940 is getting ready for replacement so considering S80 T6, or maybe a Merc (shame on me).

niloc · Nov 14th, 2007, 02:13

I have noted a few different reactions.....

"Why a Volvo?"
"Undertaker?"
"I prefer Ford/Vauxhall/BMW" (delete as required)
"I don't like them"
Even the classic "i'll never have another Volvo again" (then after a few months knowing me won't have any another make!!)

It's only when they learn what equipment it has for the price I paid, that they take note of what it actually is. Either that, or when they ask for a lift or a tow...

Frostbite · Nov 14th, 2007, 13:37

Work collegues had a jab at me when they heard I was getting a Volvo.

"That's a grandad's car"

Needless to say jaw's dropped, attitudes changed and I often whizz by on the motorway.

180bhp does me very nicely thanks.

I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks of Volvo's, I love my S60.

JIM C · Nov 14th, 2007, 17:07

I think to most people Volvo`s image has improved since the 850 touring cars racing. This made a big leap forward in there image.

The old Tank Master · Nov 14th, 2007, 23:49

Hi All,

I'm 37 and purposely purchased a cloth cap when I acquired my first Volvo. I enjoy living up to people's expectations for a few seconds, simply because I enjoy even more the look on their faces in my door mirrors when I engage 'sport mode' and give it a little bit of gas! Or the rear view mirror, once I have un-hitched the caravan, of course!

Subsequently the cloth cap (and the 'old tank', of course) has a 'legendary status' amongst my family and mates.

'George' from Asda do quite a nice checked pattern cap for a fiver. Highly recommended!

John Tancredi · Nov 18th, 2007, 06:17

I go at the same speed whatever car I drive, but some "moderns" try to run away into uncharted speed territory, which is most unpleasant! I never have that problem with the Volvo... I never have it in my Land Rover Series One either! Both are also very good at stopping, but sometimes for different reasons! John

(85 Volvo 240, 72 Citroen DS, 68 Rover 2000, 55 LR Series One, 97 Ford Falcon)

Nov 5th, 2007, 08:51	#11
niloc SWV Benefactor Last Online: Jan 30th, 2013 13:44 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Newport, South Wales	29, with a 960 2.5 saloon. Looking to purchase: cardigan, slippers, flat cap, and pipe. (purely for comic value of course!!) __________________ Refitting is the reverse of removal???.....Yeah, right!

Nov 5th, 2007, 10:01	#12
Letyian Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2008 15:36 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Stourbridge View Photos By: Letyian	On my recent travels (1600 miles in the last month), I have seen lots and lots of Mum's driving Volvo's, crammed up, 2 inches away from the windscreen, transporting their brood along the middle lane of the motorway, no matter how many cars undertake them! Then, there's the guys, bombing it down the m/way, keeping up with the Audi's, Beemers and Mercs with no trouble whatsoever. I am very relieved that my hubby tells me I'm not a 'middle lane hogger'. I do wear a (trendy girls) cloth cap and purple leather gloves and fill my car with small people, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than whizzing past that really annoying BMW driver (there's one on every motorway in the world, at any given time - they can't help it, they own a BMW) and catching the look of shock on his face as my 16yr old tank flies past! Carmen __________________ Don't play stupid with me - I'm better at it! You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely.

Nov 13th, 2007, 23:38	#15
Charlie007 New Member Last Online: Nov 18th, 2007 00:13 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Glasgow	Volvos image around the World Old mans car! Ha! Wolf in sheeps clothing. Truly underestimated car. Had various new cars before, delivery mileage only, (Polo, 2 Cavaliers, Sierra, Maestro (nobodys perfect) which was finished at 80,000 miles). Then got my first used Volvo and never looked back. 740, 2.3. Did 80,000 miles in 5 years over UK/France. Did Paris to Glasgow in 12 hours! Broke down once with faulty alternator then 3 times in 3 weeks with faulty starter. Got it fixed but my better half lost confidence this time so had to trade it in for a 940 2.3 Turbo - HooooYaaaa. 940 has done 50,000 miles in 4 years over UK/France. Broke down only once when I left everything running with the engine off, Oooops. Battery went flat so left it half an hour and it started as if there was no problem. Know any other car that could do that!? Bought both cars with 50K on the clock and wasn't worried in the slightest. Considered a Merc both times but wifey thought they looked arrogant. Love the Volvo 'box' styling. Always said to my better half when the design is great you don't need to change it. How often did Rolls Royce change their basic styling? It just has that 'X' factor. Plenty of power, plenty of room, stunning brakes. Anyway, 940 is getting ready for replacement so considering S80 T6, or maybe a Merc (shame on me).

Nov 14th, 2007, 02:13	#16
niloc SWV Benefactor Last Online: Jan 30th, 2013 13:44 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Newport, South Wales	I have noted a few different reactions..... "Why a Volvo?" "Undertaker?" "I prefer Ford/Vauxhall/BMW" (delete as required) "I don't like them" Even the classic "i'll never have another Volvo again" (then after a few months knowing me won't have any another make!!) It's only when they learn what equipment it has for the price I paid, that they take note of what it actually is. Either that, or when they ask for a lift or a tow... __________________ Refitting is the reverse of removal???.....Yeah, right!

Nov 14th, 2007, 17:07	#18
JIM C Forum Support Team Last Online: Jul 4th, 2021 16:28 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Scotland View Photos By: JIM C	I think to most people Volvo`s image has improved since the 850 touring cars racing. This made a big leap forward in there image. __________________

Nov 7th, 2007, 22:46	#13
Madman Junior Member Last Online: Dec 30th, 2009 16:28 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nashville	Volvo's image here in the States varies depending on whom you ask. Back in the 1980's, Volvo had a sort of yuppie-car image. Yuppies without kids drove BMWs. Yuppies with kids drove Volvos. Before that, you had the beardy professor types wearing hideous corderoy jackets with patches on the elbows. Volvos never really had an "old man's" image over here. We have Cadillacs, Lincolns and Buicks for that. Volvo owners these days tend to be portrayed as slightly posh, middle-aged, politically left-of-centre suburbanites who are professionally employed and overwhelmingly white. They don't quite have the kudos of a BMW, Mercedes or even a Lexus but are maybe just a half-step down from those. What strikes me as odd is the number of people who confuse Volvo with Volkswagen. It must be the "V' that mixes them up. Back when I used to work at a Volvo dealer, this guy came in asking if we had the new Jetta. I told him "No, you have the wrong place. We're a Volvo dealer." He said "Oh, I thought Volvo made the Jetta. Who makes it, then?" We also had another guy ring us up looking for parts for his Beetle! Also, a lot of people seem to think Volvos are German. They are genuinely surprised when I inform them Volvos are Swedish! Cheers, Madman of the People

Nov 13th, 2007, 22:09	#14
Viking V40 Still hanging in there Last Online: Dec 13th, 2011 22:02 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perthshire View Photos By: Viking V40	I bought my first Volvo when I was 23 and have driven a Volvo as my daily ever since, so that's 12 years happy Volvo-ing. I did get quite a bit of stick initially, all the usual 'pipe and slippers' comments. Nobody seems to bother these days - I think Volvo have changed their image quite a bit. Advertising for the likes of the new C30 seems to be aimed at younger drivers. I really like BMWs but I can't afford one and I feel a bit more confident in a fwd car in snowy/icy conditions so my V40 is fine for me. imac mentioned the word 'discreet' - I think that's the word I would associate with Volvos as well. Dependable, discreet, gets the job done, no fuss.

Nov 14th, 2007, 13:37	#17
Frostbite S60 S 2.0T Auto (Sep2003) Last Online: May 28th, 2022 18:31 Join Date: May 2007 Location: UK	Work collegues had a jab at me when they heard I was getting a Volvo. "That's a grandad's car" Needless to say jaw's dropped, attitudes changed and I often whizz by on the motorway. 180bhp does me very nicely thanks. I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks of Volvo's, I love my S60.

Nov 14th, 2007, 23:49	#19
The old Tank Master Junior Member Last Online: Aug 25th, 2010 21:43 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London View Photos By: The old Tank Master	Hi All, I'm 37 and purposely purchased a cloth cap when I acquired my first Volvo. I enjoy living up to people's expectations for a few seconds, simply because I enjoy even more the look on their faces in my door mirrors when I engage 'sport mode' and give it a little bit of gas! Or the rear view mirror, once I have un-hitched the caravan, of course! Subsequently the cloth cap (and the 'old tank', of course) has a 'legendary status' amongst my family and mates. 'George' from Asda do quite a nice checked pattern cap for a fiver. Highly recommended! __________________

Nov 18th, 2007, 06:17	#20
John Tancredi 240inNZ Last Online: Jan 30th, 2009 08:07 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Christchurch	I go at the same speed whatever car I drive, but some "moderns" try to run away into uncharted speed territory, which is most unpleasant! I never have that problem with the Volvo... I never have it in my Land Rover Series One either! Both are also very good at stopping, but sometimes for different reasons! John (85 Volvo 240, 72 Citroen DS, 68 Rover 2000, 55 LR Series One, 97 Ford Falcon)

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