Time for another car ... Volvo 960 or Volvo 850?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by *dim*, May 12, 2012.

  1. *dim*

    *dim* Head Gardener

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    thanks Kristen ... I always fancied them ... bit of an old man's car, but I am getting old

    the one I bought is in good condition, has all the extras (full leather, climate control etc etc) plus it has low miles and full service history done by Saab

    there are some cracking deals on Saab now ... people don't like them of late, and prices have dropped considerably

    I nearly bought a Volvo V70 but the owner would not budge on price and was pretty rude ...

    somehow I feel that I should have paid the bit extra for the Volvo, but what's done is done
     
  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    You won't go far wrong with a Saab Dim - part of the reason that they went bankrupt is that they always over-engineered stuff, to the point that there was no profit for them.

    A couple of tips as your new car has a turbo - change the oil and filter regularly, and make sure you use good quality oil of the right grade; also, make sure that the car doesn't spend its life lumbering around at low revs in town - - turbocharged cars appreciate a 'damn good thrashing' once in a while (blows the grot off the turbo vanes).
     
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    • merleworld

      merleworld Total Gardener

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      Honda CR-V. The reason I bought mine is because the back seats fold right forward leaving a nice big space :blue thumb:
       
    • *dim*

      *dim* Head Gardener

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      I always complicate things ...

      changed my mind at the last minute ... the dealership got a Volvo V70 CD 2.5 yesterday that was traded in

      in mint condition, low miles, 11 months MOT, tax for 7 months and full service history from Volvo

      it has a lot more space than the Saab and I'm well pleased

      it has been delivered ... wife is out shopping and still thinks we are getting a Saab
       
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      • HYDROGEN86

        HYDROGEN86 Head Gardener

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        • clueless1

          clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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          How old is the V70 Dim? Is it old enough to be a real Volvo (pre 1999) or is it young enough to be a Ford?
           
        • *dim*

          *dim* Head Gardener

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          its old ... 1997 but in good condition with a full Volvo service history ... one or 2 scuffs as can be expected, but only visible from very close ...miles are just over 100k ... and was a good price ...

          I have extra cash now, so I can buy a new strimmer and hedgecutter which I desperately need

          :biggrin:

          car has 7 seats (2 child seats in the back) ... still trying to figure out how to remove those ... I don't fully understand the diagrams in the manual

          took the car for a wash/clean ... can still smell a bit of dog in the interior, so that may take a while to get rid of ...

          other to that, drives well... it's nothing special, but still looks modern and has loads of space
           
        • clueless1

          clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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          So she's 15 years old, just a we bairn for a real Volvo. Should be good for a few years yet.

          I don't know how you get the kiddy seats out of the luggage area, but once you do, get them up for sale on the Volvo forum and eBay, the 7 seater conversion kits seem to be quite sought after.

          As for the smell of dogs, the best thing I've found to tackle that problem is actually the cheapo upholstery cleaner you get in the pound shop. Its bizarre I know, but the more expensive stuff just doesn't seem to do it.
           
        • *dim*

          *dim* Head Gardener

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          thanks for that ... will definately see what the seats sell for as I don't need them

          will also look at the upholstery cleaner stuff ... once you are in the car, it smells ok, but when you first get in, you can smell wet dog
           
        • Freddy

          Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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          Aint you is it?:snork: I'll get my coat...
           
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          • *dim*

            *dim* Head Gardener

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            :biggrin:... no, I smell of Aramis and Lynx
             
          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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            Volvo sounds even better than the Saab! Hope its good to you :) Volvo's of that era are easily capable of 250,000 miles if looked after.

            Best way to get rid of a doggy smell - sprinkle the carpets (and upholstery if its cloth) with dry bicarbonate of soda, and leave it for a day, then vacuum it all up - the bicarb will absorb the odour, and takes it with it when you vacuum it up.

            If possible, give the seats and carpets a good going over with a Vax if you have one - just be aware that you will need a couple of good hot days and to be able to leave the car with its windows open to dry out if you do.

            If you are not a fan of automotive air fresheners (many people don't realise that they contribute to travel sickness), but want something to make the car smell a bit nicer, put a tumble dryer sheet under each of the front seats. The car's own ventilation system will gently release the scent, they are cheap as chips and easy to change.

            Oh, and if its got a pollen filter in it (and according to this it has) - change it.

            They usually live under the dashboard in the passenger footwell, and usually just pop out and back in - they not only collect smells from outside, but also inside the car when the ventilation is on recirc, however the activated carbon in them eventually saturates and then they themselves can cause bad smells.

            If the car has air conditioning, then it is also VITAL that you use something like this system cleanser which is anti-bacterial. Not only will this get rid of nasty niffs, but will also kill bacteria (and there are some real nasty ones such as legionnella that live in air-con systems). - Do this AFTER changing the pollen filter.

            As you can see, you don't need to spend a fortune, but you do have to be methodical. Oh, and I would HIGHLY recommend Eurocarparts as linked above - they are much cheaper than Halfords, and their service is excellent.

            Feel free to PM me anytime if you are unsure about anything. :)
             
          • *dim*

            *dim* Head Gardener

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            thanks for that!
            :)
             
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            • Fat Controller

              Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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              You're welcome :)

              As you have probably guessed, all things automotive are my 'other' addiction, so its good to be able to return some of the favours I have had on here. :)
               
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              • Webmaster

                Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

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                I have a Volvo, a 360 GLT ......







                And is fitted with the 2.3 Turbo engine, I just need to change the diff so I can go and have some fun in it :)
                 
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