Which would you buy V50 or V70?

[Rocinante]

While I understand the sentiment behind all the V70 votes, I would just like to offer the counterpoint, that for the same money he will be getting an older/higher mileage V70 than he would a V50.

If he doesn't need the capacious room of a V70, the V50 isn't a small car, and is big enough for most people.

[John97Tdi]

I know it's probably a sign of a serious character defect but the smug feeling of schadenfreude when you successfully load your V70 at IKEA and leave the drivers of other, overloaded, smaller cars with public domestics and/or passengers abandoned in the cafe for the now essential return trip ('because YOU wanted a small car!' - actually observed, twice!) is priceless.

[Existential Crisis]

Originally Posted by John97Tdi

I know it's probably a sign of a serious character defect but the smug feeling of schadenfreude when you successfully load your V70 at IKEA and leave the drivers of other, overloaded, smaller cars with public domestics and/or passengers abandoned in the cafe for the now essential return trip ('because YOU wanted a small car!' - actually observed, twice!) is priceless.

I used to fit an incredible amount in my old Saab 900s, properly practical cars with huge flat load bays

[cogs]

Originally Posted by Existential Crisis

I used to fit an incredible amount in my old Saab 900s, properly practical cars with huge flat load bays

The Saab is another favourite of mine, I did have a 900 many moons ago, until some speeding idiot wrote it off by smashing into me. I'd ruled out a Saab though because getting a proper Saab is hard nowadays on my budget and the spares issue, you seem to be able to get most parts but not by going to your local motor factors.

[Lancee]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I’ve had both and I would also firmly say V70. it is a significantly bigger car, but all the petrol engine options are Volvo engines, only the T5 and 2.4 petrol in the V50 are Volvo. That said, I was really happy with our V50, yes it’s heavily Ford based but Volvos upgrades mean it would still be a far better buy than any Focus, Astra, Peugeot or Golf of same age. Has a much more premium car feel and interior/bodywork far better quality.

In the V70 (or V50 actually) 2.4 normally aspirated engine is the one to go for - no turbo means more reliable and really smooth, performance is adequate. T5 is good fun but more costly to run, insure.

There are also a few V50 D5's out there (Volvo engine,). That would be my choice in a (diesel) V50, but of course ULEZ is now becoming relevant.

[Existential Crisis]

Originally Posted by cogs

The Saab is another favourite of mine, I did have a 900 many moons ago, until some speeding idiot wrote it off by smashing into me. I'd ruled out a Saab though because getting a proper Saab is hard nowadays on my budget and the spares issue, you seem to be able to get most parts but not by going to your local motor factors.

I was a Saab snob, ran v4 saabs then 900s and 99s. I tried a 9000 but it wasn't for me although they have a huge following, tried gm900, similarly bland; although a three door manual v6 remains one lf my unicorns, thinking man's Golf VR6? But, I bought an ng9-3 v6 turbo cabrio and it was fantastic. Six speed manual, quick, charismatic, refined and it handled well. These are cheap cars now

[Pidgeonpost]

Originally Posted by Existential Crisis

I used to fit an incredible amount in my old Saab 900s, properly practical cars with huge flat load bays

The flat load area on the 'classic' 900s was brilliant. The amount we used to cram into it was amazing. You could sleep comfortably in it, and I did so several times. We also had two 9000's but I can't remember if it was those that lost the totally flat capability or if it was the GM900 which we didn’t keep long - didn't like it. The last 9000 we had was the 9000CSE 2.3LPT. Loved it.

[andy_d]

have to agree there
yes the T5 engine has the "edge" on performance, and could be more "fun" cos smiles per gallon does matter
yet the 2.4 n/a engine "volvo" does what it says on the tin, effortlessly, more than capable of loosing you your licence when you hoof it without paying attention on the m/way

V70 or V50
V70 With a Volvo petrol engine for all the above reasons

[Existential Crisis]

Totally nothing to do with the thread but I've always fancied c30 t5 or 2.4 n/a, must go well and be a lovely drive

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Existential Crisis

Totally nothing to do with the thread but I've always fancied c30 t5 or 2.4 n/a, must go well and be a lovely drive

There's quite a community around the C30 T5 now and modding it etc. I saw one on ebay the other week with a LSD from a focus in it.