Buying a used Volvo has never been this hard!

[capt jack]

Yes, an 850 or an early (P or R-reg) V70 would be good. Less electronically whizzy means less to go expensively wrong.

Diesels of that age will be hard to find. Not that many were made, they weren't very much more economical than the petrol cars, they were a lot more money when new, and they were fitted with the same diesel engine as the Audi A6, which means that servicing and repair costs were also high,

2.5 10v petrol really is the way to go if you can find a good one.

There's a possibility I'll be changing mine, but not until later this year. It would fit your spec exactly and realistically I know it's worth five or six hundred at most. My point is that what you're looking for is entirely realistic.

The other thing I'd say is don't write a saloon out of your thinking. The 850 4-door and S70 are brilliant cars, and have fold down rear seats - which means that they will take long loads just as well as the estates. That and a small trailer and you've got the best of both worlds. Lower mileage saloons that are well-looked after are often easier to source and will be cheaper than an estate car.

Good luck

Cheers

Jack

[S70 B5254T]

Originally Posted by capt jack

The other thing I'd say is don't write a saloon out of your thinking. The 850 4-door and S70 are brilliant cars, and have fold down rear seats - which means that they will take long loads just as well as the estates. That and a small trailer and you've got the best of both worlds. Lower mileage saloons that are well-looked after are often easier to source and will be cheaper than an estate car.

Wise words there from the Captain - bear in mind that the saloons may have had an easier life than the estates, which are more likely to have been used (as was intended of course) for serious load-lugging, resulting in more wear and tear to suspension and the boot etc. For obvious reasons, the estates will have been more popular with dog owners, tradesmen etc. Judging by your requirements stated initially however, I think you'd probably still be better off with the estate due to the massive boot aperture.

I agree that you'll find the 2.5 10v in good supply, but don't ignore the slightly less common 2.0 20v engine – respectable economy and the same power as the 2.5 10v, though not as torquey - they were only fitted to 850 and not to the x70.

[inkyblue]

Great advice, but I think I'd get fed up with a saloon loading stuff in and out. Just off to Chester to check one out, its a 2001, later than what I was looking for, but the guy wants £950. 160k on the clock, and service stamps to 140, 2 owners.....fingers crossed. No towbar though, guess you cant have everything! Wish me luck!