Non Volvo Volvo's

[nm1985]

Bit of a strange title I know, but ive noticed that some models of Volvo's are bought by people who are not into the Volvo badge but just bought because it was a car and it was for sale.

That may not make sense but I can always guarentee a wave at the lights from a 850/v70,960 owners etc, however with v50's /c30's the owners I have spoken to dont really know much about Volvos in general and dont really have any brand loyalty.

Am I talking rubbish or has anyone else noticed any cars that fall into this bracket?

[OldBlueVolvo]

I don't think you can expect all Volvo drivers to be enthusiastic about the make or even generally interested in cars. Especially with the estates, people are more likely to buy them for practical reasons rather than loyalty to the make.

[fenton_jd]

Depends if its a 'petrol head' you bump into.

I remember a time I was driving behind an E 240 Estate in mint condition, in exactly the same colour as my blue S40.

Was like a little history procession

[Volvophile]

There's a guy on here called 'GMad' who says he bought his S60 just because it was cheap.

I reckon it's traditionally the smaller models which have been bought by non Volvo people. Today, the likes of the C30 you'll find are driven by people who aren't really into the brand.

[johnsgotwood]

I used to own a Rover 820i which after the cambelt broke I completely rebuilt the engine from the bottom up. Six months later it blew a core plug for no apparent reason between the engine and gearbox, so not an easy fix. The garage I took it to had an over priced 740 estate which in desperation I bought it on finance cause I'd had enough. That was my first Volvo 12 years ago and I've never looked back. I don't even look at other makes and wouldn't know a Vauxhall vectra form a Mercedes, I'm not interested either. When I look at some cars on the road that are a lot newer than mine I still can't believe that they were bought because the person liked them. It seems that one manufacturer comes up with a slightly different shape and within a few months everyone else tries to copy it. Most new cars to me look like 80's stereos. You all know the ones with outrageous bulges and bumps everwhere. I expect in 20 years time square boxes will come back into fashion. I've found a make and model I can rely on and nothing else comes close. Although I don't particularly like the new ones.

[MTerry]

It's because the newer Volvos are closer to "just cars." Even when they were new, the older RWD and 850 Volvos were different, and represented a statement about the owner, whether it be "hippie environmentalist" or "safety-conscious mother." The newer Volvos, under Ford's careful watch, are trying to be alternatives to Audis and BMW's and not "different," therefore the people that buy them aren't either.

[The Hooded Claw]

I think MOST people who buy second hand cars start off buying them because they're Cheap ..BUT ........... they eventually "Fall into" a "mark" that they like & can source parts relativly cheaply & get good info on (Like Here) ..

They then become "Volvo Enthusiasts" by "Default"

[xcJohn]

I bought mine because I was sick of Japanese reliability and German build quality.

Seriously though. I bought the XC70 because it made me feel a little bit special. It's still different, even though it's a Ford umbrella car. The ride is fantastic and basically it fulfilled every need I had and still retained character that neither my B*Ws had nor my Toybotas. Parking up in the city, more people will look at the XC70 than the 3/5 series or the A4/6 parked next to it because of that.

Also I needed somewhere to put my cap.

I'll get my coat.

[arcturus]

I bought my 740 in 92 because i needed somewhere to keep my green wellies and Barbour jacket. Haven't looked back. Now have 940, 960 and 144

[GMad]

Originally Posted by Volvophile

There's a guy on here called 'GMad' who says he bought his S60 just because it was cheap.

I reckon it's traditionally the smaller models which have been bought by non Volvo people. Today, the likes of the C30 you'll find are driven by people who aren't really into the brand.

That's not stricly speaking true.
The fact that it was inexpensive was indeed a factor but, I do also enjoy the fact that it's (and the two Volvos I had before it) very comfortable and for it's size, as econimical as its competitors!
It is true that I didn't buy it because of the badge stuck to the bootlid though.
Would I buy another one? Yes I would infact the only cars on my list when I bought my current S60 were, another V70 or a Ford Mondeo and I lurk around on this forum and indeed one or two others, to keep an eye on peoples rants and praises for the various models I am likely to have an interest in.
I am a huuuuge petrolhead, owning both a high end motorcycle and a muscle car, but I don't/won't/can't get exited about a mass produced family Eurobox (whatever badge is glued to the bootlid) and that includes the Volvos that I've owned.
Great every day car, that does a close to perfect job of getting me and my tools to work (all over Europe), but I won't be getting anal about it anytime soon!
Oh and I frequently exchange waves/light flashes etc with fellow motorcyclist and American car drivers, but to date, never fellow Volvo drivers!