Should I buy a Volvo?

**Disco-tastic** · 8th August 2023, 09:44 PM

Hi all,

I'm changing jobs and am probably going to need a second car to get to and from work (about 150km a week). (If I can wrangle a work ute I will try and finally get to fixing my shorty - unlikely but a boy can dream).

Anyway I've got a budget of $6k as that's what I can get a mates Mazda 3 for with a known service history. The issue is I'm after something a little bigger to fit the mountain bike a little easier (I.e. standing up with the front wheel removed, as.opposed.to lying down. I've found a few options, including a 2006 VZ 3.6L Commodore wagon and a 2005 corolla wagon, both with 200k km, a 2006 X-Trail with 260k km and a few high kilometre Subaru outback 3.0L. I've also found a very tidy looking 2002 Volvo V70 2.4L 5cyl with 150k km.

I like the corolla wagon but it might be a smidge small for the bike; I don't really want a Commodore but I'm aware it will likely be cheap to service and is kinda cavernous;

I'm keen on the Volvo as it looks huge and comfortable. I don't know much about them but apart from a possible faulty ABS module I can't find any major issues.

What would you guys pick out of the corolla, commodore and Volvo for a cheap reliable runabout that can fit some stuff?

**V8Ian** · 8th August 2023, 09:55 PM

Volvo, Volvo, Volvo, the V70 was the last of the bulletproof, go for a million miles Volvo.
I've owned 17 or 19 240s, most bought cheaply, thanks to 400~500k on the odo, with the intention of wrecking them. Most were too good to wreck.

**BradC** · 8th August 2023, 10:28 PM

I'm one of "those" Volvo people. The last real Volvos pushed you along in the world and had an Iron block that was all but bullet proof. Once they turned the engine 90 degrees it all went tits up.

I just sold my last real volvo. 485K on the clock and reliable as they come. Space in the back to park a suzuki swift and still have room for the golden retriever. They don't make them like that anymore. Once they started building in crumple zones, rather than the other car being your crumple zone they lost their robustness.

We looked at an XC90 before the Disco, but after one test drive it felt fragile.

**ozscott** · 9th August 2023, 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Volvo, Volvo, Volvo, the V70 was the last of the bulletproof, go for a million miles Volvo.
I've owned 17 or 19 240s, most bought cheaply, thanks to 400~500k on the odo, with the intention of wrecking them. Most were too good to wreck.

Helped my brother put a very hoy Holden straight 6 into an old 240 coupe. Fantastic homologation. The coupe was low, gorgeous and very quick. I drove a new auto V70 wagon a few times in the 80's and it was solid but dangerous at busy intersections with multiple stop signs...just so so slow accelerating. In the 80's I also drove a manual 240C many times and liked it a lot. Not quick but very solid and good fun. Looking back the 240 shape was nice. Cheers

**oka374** · 9th August 2023, 06:43 AM

Go the Volvo a more comfortable car I'm yet to find than our 2007 XC70 with 145k on the clock, goes like a cut snake with the turbo and effortless cruising on the highway, has given no major problems in the last 15 years of ownership until the tailgate wiring harness fractured due to age and required replacement/repair. That would be one thing to check on the V70 as they are basically the same car.

**Roverlord off road spares** · 9th August 2023, 01:34 PM

When I think of Volvo's, I think of little grannies and grandpa going to the bowls club in there Volvo. With there white hats sitting on the back window shelf LOL LOL. Heather

**scarry** · 9th August 2023, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

When I think of Volvo's I think of little grannies and grandpa going to the bowls club in there Volvo. LOL LOL. Heather

With a hat on.

Camry Wagon is the go,boring as a loaf of bread,but will go forever.

Fit the bikes in no worries,but probably hard to find a good one as they are getting on a bit.

**4bee** · 9th August 2023, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by scarry

With a hat on.

Camry Wagon is the go,boring as a loaf of bread,but will go forever.

Fit the bikes in no worries,but probably hard to find a good one as they are getting on a bit.

You didn't mention the headlights also on, Paul.

**Discodicky** · 9th August 2023, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by scarry

With a hat on.

Camry Wagon is the go,boring as a loaf of bread,but will go forever.

Fit the bikes in no worries,but probably hard to find a good one as they are getting on a bit.

Yes but no but.
4cyl Camrys are known to blow head gaskets.... I know from my daughter's experience and what she was told by her mechanic, a Toyota specialist Indie.
The V6 might be better?