Volvo drivers

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Originally Posted by Bunjeel

You gotta look for the hats. Where did all the Volvo hats and cardies go? Into Subarus! :angel:

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I'd agree with that statement around here too - usually into the larger of the Subaru models - the occasional Liberty, lots of Forresters and the butt ugly Tribeca.

My favorite ovloV (well that's what it says when you see one in the rear view mirror) has always been the P1800E, or if I could ever find one, the ES.

However, I know a few truckies who have recently purchased Volvo prime movers, mainly because they are so much cheaper than the American offerings. Without exception, they all regret the decision. And the unfortunate thing is that the only dealer who will offer them anything decent for them - is the Volvo dealer as a trade-in on a new Volvo (the same is said about Scanias).

Volvo might make good cars and graders, and I've personally purchased at work a couple of Volvo loaders in the past (L90 and L120) which were brilliant machines, but I'm afraid that their trucks are crap.

The MRA( motocycle Riders Australia) website has a Volvo aware Rider sticker still for sale.

In the late 70s Australian Motorcycle News published a cartoon poster , showing a Lady bowler with hat in a 244? mowing down riders as she careered around a corner through a stop sign while talking to her passenger.
Said it all really.

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Originally Posted by BMKal

However, I know a few truckies who have recently purchased Volvo prime movers, mainly because they are so much cheaper than the American offerings. Without exception, they all regret the decision. And the unfortunate thing is that the only dealer who will offer them anything decent for them - is the Volvo dealer as a trade-in on a new Volvo (the same is said about Scanias).

Volvo might make good cars and graders, and I've personally purchased at work a couple of Volvo loaders in the past (L90 and L120) which were brilliant machines, but I'm afraid that their trucks are crap.

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I don't know the scene in WA these days, but in West & North Qld, and the Brisbane-Darwin road train runners use majority Kenworth, fewer Western Star, then Mack. Some International (Iveco) and Freightliner are seen. but few Euro trucks. More Scania than Volvo.

What you say about trade-ins is true for other than trucks. Buyers of a less well regarded make or model are often then locked in by poor resale value to buying another as the only dealer who will give a big enough trade-in to get them out of their lease is the dealer in that make. Often the new lease has to be inflated to get enough to pay out the trade.

The then newly arrived Swedish marketing manager of Volvo Trucks Aust. was quite surprised to be told at a post meeting drinks gathering of the CVIAQ that Volvos were considered to be a truck for the buyers who considered price first and foremost. He thought of them as a high quality market leader. His Australian stay soon disabused him of this notion.

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Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

I don't know the scene in WA these days, but in West & North Qld, and the Brisbane-Darwin road train runners use majority Kenworth, fewer Western Star, then Mack. Some International (Iveco) and Freightliner are seen. but few Euro trucks. More Scania than Volvo.

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Pretty much the same over here Brian.

I've noticed that one or two of the larger Heavy Haulage companies have put Volvos in front of mainly 100 tonne floats (got me beat why). Most of them still stick with Mack or Kenworth - and pretty much all of the really big stuff is still Mack.

Interestingly, Mack Trucks is part of the worldwide AB Volvo Group.

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Originally Posted by BMKal

Pretty much the same over here Brian.

I've noticed that one or two of the larger Heavy Haulage companies have put Volvos in front of mainly 100 tonne floats (got me beat why). Most of them still stick with Mack or Kenworth - and pretty much all of the really big stuff is still Mack.

Interestingly, Mack Trucks is part of the worldwide AB Volvo Group.

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Assembled in the same factory here at Wacol.

The heavy haulage guys probably looked at the hub reduction diffs that Volvo have available. Good for very heavy haulage and not much else. You can't achieve a sensible highway ratio with hub reduction.

I don't recall when or how Mack came to lose their independence but they were owned by SignalStat Corporation for a long time, then Renault, now Volvo. Mack absorbed and disappeared Brockway along the way.

Long term Mack employees regard the Volve management as "Swedish iceholes", and the Renault crew were "incompetent arrogant Frog iceholes".

We were given a brand new XC 90 as a loaner for a few days when Fred was at the dealers for warranty work. Very nice car. Absolutely nothing wrong with the car except that it wasn't my Defender.

Kenley

Volvos are great!

I moved to wellington NZ for a while last year and while looking around for a car (this time just cheap transport) I found a 1995 940 sedan for $1,900 with 100,000kms.

It was for sale by this retired GP (first owner) who didn't like the 'funny rattling' it had. The funny rattling was it just misfiring caused by having holes in the ht leads...I got it for $900NZD, spent $40 on new leads and plugs and then I had the most comfortable car I've ever owned!

Slow, yes, and the fuel consumption was a bit high with the 4cyl, but never ever will a $900 car be as great as that. It was immaculate inside and out, the seats were awesome, stereo was good and it ate miles up and down the north island!



The best part: when I moved back, I sold it for $4,500!

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Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Around here they drive Lexus!

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THEY DO IN TASMANIA TOO:twisted::twisted::twisted::twisted::twisted:
Andrew

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Originally Posted by Disco44

In my other life I was an accredited Road Accident Instructor with QFRA. Part of which was a lengthy knowledge of vehicle construction e.g. chassis types encapsulation ,airbag immobilization etc. I know that I would prefer to be driving a Volvo in lieu of a Camry any day.The Volvo is built like a brick ****house compared to other makes ,both old and new. Which means your chances of survival are far greater in a Volvo..and No I don't own one so I,m just not flogging that brand.

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Your right mate. Before my Disco I had an immaculate 1987 Volvo 245 that I loved. It was metallic blue, Had Simmons V5 15" wheels, tinted windows a fully sick sound system. The design of the doors was awe inspiring. the hinges were made out of 10mm thick steel, there was a dirty great side intrusion bar in all 4 doors (you cant fit big speakers in the door because of this!!) the bumper bars were mounted to 2 massive shock absorbers, the bonnet had creases in the undeside to crumple correctly and not spear the window.........I could go on and on...
Regards
Robbo

When I was a Mech Eng student with no $$ quite a few years ago, came across a 144 manual, 1974 twin carb sedan in a wreckers here in Tas for $200. Needed a screen and a rear tail lamp cluster for rego. Drove it across from Tas to WA, Albany and Perth, then back down to Albany where we lived and worked for 18months, before driving back over here. Broke a fan belt near Esperance on the way over, had a clutch in Albany before we left, and that was IT. Sold it for $200 when we got back over here to my enthusiast Neighbour who had 13 of them, :eek:, and it then got a resto. Everything worked, even the A/C. The vehicle was straight, rust free and really I regret selling it now. I easily got 28 to 30 MPG on a highway run, and around town although a bit more uneconomical it was a joy with awesome brakes and excellent turning circle etc. I had a few 240's after that one, but really wish I still had it. My Eldest was very upset we sold it:(.

JC