Going to Test drive today - HELP

Hi all,

I'm going to test drive 2 T4's today at the same garage.

1st car is R-Reg 1997 with black leather and aircon, 80k, 2 owners.
2nd car is R-Reg 1998 with mushroom leather and climate, 70k 1 owner.

The thing is they have different alloys ?

The first car has some very bland looking flat alloys with holes on the outer edge. I like these, they look understated !

The second car has the cross spoke BBS type.

They both have full history.

Is it work paying the extra £1,000 for the 1998 with the cliamte and lower milage ? What should I test and look out for HELP

IceMan

[noiseboy]

Iceman,

If your trying out a car with climate - make sure it works properly, mine cost me about £1000 all in all since I brought the car..... :(

The peeps who have repaired it tell me that A/C without climate is much more reliable, although when climate works its fab. I just have to keep throwing money at the climate.....


Regards,

Phil :-)

[neil stevenson]

Hi,
Save your money and buy the first one supposing that it is sound and meets your requirements.
I would open a window or turn the heater on for £1000.

Good luck on your purchase.

[Simon Linton]

Both cars would be practically identical as far as a trade-in is concerned UNLESS the later model is the new spec S40 which had loads of suspension and handling improvements.

It's worth checking this out since the "old" 40 series is a real dog in comparison with the newer model.

I can't help since I don't know when the break point is on the model, but your Volvo dealership or someone on the forum should know.

I don't think the 'Phase II' was introduced until the year 2000..

[Dan F]

Hi.

All I can say is, you could do as I did.

List the spec you won't go below, i.e. what is really important to you and what isn't, and then go for the one that fits those requirements and drives the best in your eyes.

If one has every gadget on it but drives like a dog and rattles like hell, avoid it.

However if you have one that barely meets your requirements but is a really good drive and is smooth etc, then either re-evaluate what you *really* want or wait for something else to come along.

On what you have said however, I would go for the 80K one unless it hasn't had the timing belt changed, in which case make sure they do before you buy it!! It will save you a wad when the other gets to 80K!!
Number of owners are largely irrelevant unless they have obviously neglected it. Saying that it is bad, for example, if someone only had it for say, 8 or 9 months or so, is a bit silly as I only had my 2T for 8 months and and it was in top nick (an excellent buy for the next owner!) as I really took care of it. It is just it didn't fulfill my needs after 8 months of ownership.

The 'Gaspra' Wheels are very nice and understated and less likely to get thieved that the BBS 'Crater' ones.

Choice is yours however

Been there recently and eventually found SE with climate. Seems ok. The only thing i found with the CD Model is that it is £300.00 a year MORE to insure?? No one seems to know why though but 7 insurance companies told me the same.

Happy Hunting

99' V40 T4 SE Auto