Volvo (estate), A4 or 5 series??

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555

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As my previous thread was closed, because of an ongoing "discussion" over silly nonsense. I would like to narrow our search & will do my best to keep on subject matter.

My dad has about £3k to spend on a car. Can people give advice on the pro's and cons on the following cars (baring in mind we can only spend around 3grand on it).
Volvo Estate, Audi A4 or BMW 5series.

With the Volvo, could people advice on the fast one's please. And on the other 2, basically what you would recommend. All help appreciated! And counter to some peoples beleifs i am taking note of what is being said.
 
I don't know that much about Volvo's, other than that they're quite reliable and the older turbo ones are great sleepers.

A4's are nice, relatively reliable, and available in AWD, of course. They don't do the greatest job of negotiating corners, but they're not bad at all. 3 grand will only get you one of the first gen models, which are relatively "crude" compared to the nicer, more luxurious, newer ones. As for insurance, the 1.8T model is listed as group 15. As an american, I don't know what the hell that means, but I'm sure you do. :lol: I couldn't find a 6-cylinder model that included the insurance group in its Auto Trader description. :indiff:

The BMW 5er's in your dad's price range include the E34, and some E39's. The E34's are lighter, but the E39's do a good job of hiding their weight in corners. Both are RWD, of course, and both are available with inline-6's or V8's (the E34 518i and the E39 520d are inline-4's). From what I looked at, the E34 518i is insurance group 13, and the E34 525i is group 14. I couldn't find any E39 ads with the group listed. Both generations are capable handlers, are relatively practical, and reliable. If it matters to your dad, the E34 will be less likely to make him look like some uppity rich ****. ;)
 
Thanx mate!

I some how dont think my dad cares what he "looks like". He's owned many superbikes (when younger) & has owned a Manta & an RS Turbo, not the best cars image-wise.

I saw a P reg A6 estate 2.6 in the paper for £2995. Are these any better/worse than a A4?? obviously they bigger and a 2.6 must be fast(ish)??
 
Volvo, they are by far the safest which is good for insurence and if you are in a wreck you won't die. I doubt your dad cares about performance and wants a fuctional car, so you are going to be good with the Volvo.
 
555
Thanx mate!

I some how dont think my dad cares what he "looks like". He's owned many superbikes (when younger) & has owned a Manta & an RS Turbo, not the best cars image-wise.

I saw a P reg A6 estate 2.6 in the paper for £2995. Are these any better/worse than a A4?? obviously they bigger and a 2.6 must be fast(ish)??
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Well, if I recall correctly, the 2.6 is Audi's standard V6, which is available on the A4 as well. Obviously an A4 2.6 would be faster than an A6 2.6...otherwise, the A6 is just a bigger, heavier, roomier, safer, more luxurious A4. If those things matter to your dad, he might want to consider an A6 over an A4.

BX
Volvo, they are by far the safest which is good for insurence and if you are in a wreck you won't die. I doubt your dad cares about performance and wants a fuctional car, so you are going to be good with the Volvo.
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Very true, but considering the fact that his dad has owned an Opel Manta and a Ford Escort RS Turbo, I have a feeling performance may be a factor... :)
 
He could probably get a 850T5 estate for around £3k - It would be my choice out of the three you've selected. You don't get much A4 or 5-series for your money, a Volvo T5 will out-perform both.
 
amp88
What are the chances of picking up an ex-police Traffic Volvo cheap from a Police auction?
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I seriously considered this a few years back. Although they're usually very high mileage examples, they're serviced overly regularly and probably in great condition for the money - as long as you like white, and don't mind all the holes in the roofs and dashboard where their equipment's been taken off!

The only thing that stopped me in the end was the fact that i could'nt find any info on police auctions.
 
My dad isvery immature when it comes to buying cars, Speed is the only thing he really cares about, its me and my mum that have to be the sensible ones! lol. Whatever we get after our current car (Supra) will seem slow.

He has said about getting a ex cop Volvo but we cant find anywhere to get one. Wouldnt a volvo look funny in white?? i cant recall seeing one EVER.

I guess the A6 would be slower than A4, but we cant find an A4 2.6, they are all 1.8T or 1.9 TDi & we dont want diesel. It would be nice to have something luxury instead of pure race-driven (like all our previous cars). I might persuad him to get the A6, if i tell him its fast, he usually beleives me, lol. Stupid git!

How quick is the 850T5 anyone?? some volvo's do 60 in about 6.5 dont they??
 
Purely off the top of my head the 850 T5 has a 0-60 of 7.1 seconds (150mph top?), with the 850 T-5R at 6.6secs and R at 6.5 secs (Both limited to 155mph). The S70s/V70s are pretty similar too I think. Be warned though the T-5Rs suspension has a reputation for being extremely hard, early models were proven to barely move at all I heard :lol: The T5 is much better value for money.

At 3 grand though your not going to get many good T-5Rs or Rs, unfortunately :(
 
I only suggested the ex-Police Volvo because my brother's friend's neighbour bought one not long ago. He said it was in perfect condition, obviously well maintained and was very quick (indicated 165mph). The holes in the dash and roof might put some people off, but in terms of value for money it seems like a good choice...
 
Saw an advert for ex-police volvo's in auto trader, but it was quite a long way away. Might get dad to have a goosey though.
They also had Omega's, but dont really want a Vauxhall, even if its a fast one. Sorry to stereo type (well others have with BMW drivers) but Why is it whenever i'm out in are car (usually a Sunday) and when we get stuck behind a car (doing 22mph) its a Vauxhall!!! arghhh, i hate them. Astra, Vectra, corsa, cavalier or maybe a Mondeo if were lucky lol.
 
555
So would i be right in assuming that all "T" Volvo's are the quicker ones??
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Yep pretty much, the T incase you hadn't guessed stands for Turbo with 5 being for 5 cylinders. The S40/V40 is T4 is pretty fast too, but personally I think the bigger Volvos are much better.




/Waits for someone from Sweden to tell me it actually stands for something completely different :lol:
 
Tried looking at other cars, or is it just BMW/Audi/Volvo?

Try this, for example.

Also, I notice your dad seems to have lost £1,000 since the last thread.
 
Must everyone continue to ignore the perennially brilliant Mercedes E Class?

And should you be willing to purchase a 25 year old car, a 1980 5.3L V12 Daimler Double Six is available with just 66,000 miles on the clock.

I don't know a great deal about mileages, but I'm assuming 66k in 26 years is not a lot...

Yours for £600.
 
Yep, £3k now, will probably end up being £2k by the time we get round to buying one! lol.

Dunno why, just not really interested in Mercedes.
 
Ah well, you can't win 'em all.


Good luck with whatever you buy.
 
Cheers, went for a goosey (look) around all the local car places today. Had a look at the A6 2.6 estate, looked nice, good nick etc. But the colour was horribly dull. The advert said blue, which to me means, well blue, like an Impreza. But this was like a dark navy, HORRIBLE!
 
Aw, I like a nice metallic midnight blue... :( :lol:

As Famine suggested, have you considered other brands, such as Honda or Toyota? :)
 
Have considered them. But dont want them.
Especially an Accord, rented one of them once, it was HORRIBLE. Plus what's the point of buying something like an accord or (i cant think of saloon Toyota), when you can get a nice shiney example of a nice luxury(ish) BMW or Audi or Volvo.
And (no offence if your one of these people) i cant stand cars like accords, well the drivers anyway. They always poodle around doing 25 and get in your way when you try to overtake them. Just not are thing. And besides you'd never get my dad to buy something like an Accord anyway, far to boring & slow.
 
555
And besides you'd never get my dad to buy something like an Accord anyway, far to boring & slow.
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accord%20type%20r.jpg


2001 Honda Accord Type-R - 209hp, 0-62mph 6.7s, 141mph
c.f. 1992 Toyota Supra (non-turbo) - 184hp, 0-62mph 8.5s, 126mph

Yep. Accords are boring and slow.
 
555
Plus what's the point of buying something like an accord or (i cant think of saloon Toyota), when you can get a nice shiney example of a nice luxury(ish) BMW or Audi or Volvo.
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The thing is, you'll probably get more luxury with the Accord than you would with any BMW or Audi in your price range.

BMW's aren't exactly known for their luxuries. You'll end up paying more to get the blue and white propeller badge on the front.
 
Indeed. £3,000 gets you a 1999 Accord Type-V, but you're looking at a MUCH older BMW or Audi for that. You'll get at least the same spec. in the newer Accord, if not more - as refinements tend to filter down to other cars along the years - but on a much newer vehicle.

You want nice, quick and cheap? A "prestige" marque will only get you two out of three.
 
I know famine will disagree with me on whatever i say anyway so i wont argue. But you ain't gonna get my day to buy an accord, especially after we have driven one and they were just horrible! Persuad us all you like, we wont get one, sorry. I apreciate the opinion, but he's driven an accord and hated it.

Im trying not to sound sarchastic here, but how is an Honda going to be more "luxury" than an Audi or BMW?? And please bare in mind, we would rather have speed than luxury, so i don't care that much about all the "luxury" gubbins. It just needs 4/5 doors and be relatively quick.

Dont get me wrong id have a Type R, they are indeed very nice looking, but they will be high insurance (grp 16 & 17 according to parkers) and getting one for £3k would be rather hard i'd imagine, especially a decent one........ yep just checked on auto trader, no Type R's for under £3k.

I still thing he wants a Volvo "T" anyways, which is a shame
 
555
Im trying not to sound sarchastic here, but how is an Honda going to be more "luxury" than an Audi or BMW??
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Famine
£3,000 gets you a 1999 Accord Type-V, but you're looking at a MUCH older BMW or Audi for that. You'll get at least the same spec. in the newer Accord, if not more - as refinements tend to filter down to other cars along the years - but on a much newer vehicle.
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You asked for "expert" opinions, so this is what you get.

A £3,000 whatever will be a better specced car if it is 4 years old compared to 14 years old. And that's the key - you mentioned a 1996 Audi A6 (which, for £3,000 for a 2.6, I wouldn't touch with a forty foot pole - that's 89% depreciation in 9 years! - and, with only 150hp from that 2.6 stuffed into a barge you'll find devastatingly slow). Three years later, all the stuff you got in the Audi you'd get in a 1999 Accord, but the 1999 Audi A6 has moved on a bit and has more stuff.

I appreciate you don't want an Accord - but they are not all "boring and slow", especially when compared to your Supra, as you can see from the figures I posted. So, while you don't want one, it's better to learn from what people are telling you rather than dismiss an entire marque because you've seen one once and didn't like it.


As I said before, if you want a car to be nice, quick and cheap but you go for a "prestige" brand, you'll only ever meet two of your criteria.

That aside, thought of trying an Alfa Romeo? The ones in this search are all sub-£3,000, and all V6 models (the 3rd one down is a peach). They will deliver similar - but better - performance than your Supra, with 4 doors and really very pleasant interiors. Don't get ever visit an Alfa main dealer though - they're great, if tetchy, cars, but let down badly by the dealers.
 
Famine

That aside, thought of trying an Alfa Romeo? The ones in this search are all sub-£3,000, and all V6 models (the 3rd one down is a peach). They will deliver similar - but better - performance than your Supra, with 4 doors and really very pleasant interiors.
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Plus with the V6 model, you get all the torque steer you could ever need 👍 :sly:
 
Only 190 horsies. They're not that bad...

Not as bad as a no-TCS GTA anyway... :D
 
Famine
Only 190 horsies. They're not that bad...

Not as bad as a no-TCS GTA anyway... :D
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I forgot that 555's number one choice so far is the T5! - it represented Sweden at the World Torque Steer Championship and won hands down 3 years running.
 
I was just thinking that myself, actually... :D
 

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