'Volvo - Ultimate estate or lost opportunity

[Fordy]

bened, can I suggest that you change the title of the thread to something like 'Volvo - Ultimate estate or lost opportunity, what would you change?' or 'What makes a great estate? Please help with dissertation' or similar. If you read the title 'Estate Project' you imagine you have bought an old estate as a winter project to do up, as I first thought, which was not what I read when I opened it. It might help get the responses up...

[bened]

Thats a great idea Fordy, thanks alot for the help. Shall use your title! Many thanks again, you've all been very kind.

Erm.....one thing, well a very big thing really, i cant figure out how to change my title. ha ha

[Gordon Hunter]

1. a) age 39
b) Sex: m
c)Occupation Volvo nut / musician
d)Family size: Me & the misus & 7 volvos!
e)Car model and fuel type Volvo 940 TD (deisel) also '68 220 (petrol)

2. Why do you have an estate and what do you use it for? My estate is my workhorse. It is my towcar (pulls a Brian James car trailer and my new acquisitions (other Volvos)). It transports all the music gear to gigs. On ocasions it is used to store c**p in.

3. Is image inportant and what statement do you want your estate to project about yourself? Not at all. / "please pass quietly"

4. How could your estate be improved -get rid of some of the 'toys'.

Many Thanks,
Ben[/QUOTE]

[pint6x]

1. a) age 44
b) Sex: male
c)Occupation Senior IT Manager
d)Family size: Me, Mrs & 3 sons
e)Car model and fuel type Volvo V70 D5 SE (Diesel) - 2003 model

2. Why do you have an estate and what do you use it for?

Large family - always carting junk for one of the children around - bicycles, bits of furniture etc. Tailgate opens - somewhere to sit while putting wellies on. Specifically chose Volvo for reliability and good compromise between economy (40+mpg) and performance (163bhp).

3. Is image inportant and what statement do you want your estate to project about yourself?

Image is not that important to me - I think the Volvo is pretty much classless.
What statement do I want to project? dunno - not really thought about it

4. How could your estate be improved -

longer load area at the back - like the old 740/940. Also - when folding the back seat down, the headrests need to be removed first - would be good if they could flip out of the way, like they do in an E-class Mercedes.

Hope this helps - Philip (pint6x)

[eddyramrod]

Originally Posted by bened

1. a) age
b) Sex m/f
c)Occupation
d)Family size
e)Car model and fuel type

2. Why do you have an estate and what do you use it for?

3. Is image inportant and what statement do you want your estate to project about yourself?

4. How could your estate be improved


Many Thanks,
Ben

1: a):47
b):M
c):HGV driver/carer
d):just me and the wife, oh and two cats!
e):1987 740 estate, B230E petrol, automatic, 7 seats.

2: I wanted an estate car for car-booting mostly, and as my daily driver (I have an ongoing restoration project, see below). I looked on eBay at several different types, but the Volvo 240 and 740 were always top of the list. I wanted a large well-equipped automatic with rear-wheel-drive and a towbar; it could have been a Scorpio or an Omega or even, Heaven forbid, a Merc but I ended up with this, and I'm pleased with it. I commute in it, tow a trailer (and now a large caravan too) and even drive it for pleasure.

3: "Image" as such is not important, I don't think I would have a 20-year-old car if it was! This is a workhorse and in fact is a very comfortable one. I do cherish the few small scars it has around the front though: as I often say, they are a warning not to get in my way on my 27 mile commute home at the end of a 12 hour shift! I have something else for "image..."

4: I'd always like a bit more power, although I have to say this engine does have enough most of the time. Back suspension could be stronger. Other than that... well I'm addressing the only other issue -- dying radio -- with the addition of one from a 2002 VW Golf (oh the shame!). Can anyone find me a working electric aerial for the 740 estate please? Mine's kaput.

Good luck Ben

[bened]

thanks alot!

[caveman]

a,38
b,m
c,not working at the moment but was lorry driver
d,6!!!
e,'96 855 glt 2.5 petrol

2, got an estate cos of the room, i hate mpvs! use it for...everything!

4, image is important, i wouldnt have a lesser estate! i want people to think "ive never seen a serial killer driving a volvo before"

5, more seats!!! oh, and a t5 engine would be nice!
regards
cavey