Volvo 740 Estate - A Great Safe Family Car

Advantages: Safe, lots of extras, reasonable insurance, easy to drive
Disadvantages: A bit high on petrol

...We recently decided that our car was too small for our family and that an estate would be a much better proposition. Eventually we decided on a Volvo Estate and were delighted when an F Reg 740SE came into our local paper. Anyway we bought it and it is a great car. I have never driven such a big car but due to the automatic gear box and power assisted steering it is very easy and light to drive. I had never driven an automatic or power assisted car before and was a bit hesitant but it was no problem. We have a young daughter and we certainly feel very comfortable and safe in this car. It has loads of room in it and we can even put her pram in without having to take it apart. This particular model has electric windows, electric sunroof, electric wing mirrors and heated front seats! Unfortunately it is quite heavy on petrol...

elvina 31.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Volvo 740

Volvo 440 1.7 automatic

Advantages: Performs well, very reliable, comfortable, practical, roomy
Disadvantages: Not as well built as some Volvos

...Nearly 7 years ago I bought a nice Volvo 440 1.7 automatic from a fireman who was selling it for something bigger to accommodate his ever growing family. I saw the car for sale in the local press and went to have a look at it. I was very pleased with the car, it had a lot of creature comforts you would expect (central locking, electric front windows, electric sunroof, power assisted steering and a height adjustable front seet - which is very important if, like me, you have short legs !). Driving the car was a pleasure - very comfortable, and although the car is quite low to the ground this was not a problem as you could raise the drivers seat. The car handled very well and because these Volvos are quite light, it was very nippy too. I was also pleased with the insurance costs too. I cannot recall the exact figure but I do know...

Buenosdias 20.11.2003 (13.12.2003) · Read review
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Review of Volvo 440

Volvo V50 Sportswagon - A drivers car

Advantages: Fast effortless drive, stylish, surprisingly roomy cargo space
Disadvantages: Bit small for 5 people, hard suspension

...I acquired my Volvo V50 Sportswagon 2.0lt diesel in June of 2005 so at the time of writing this have been driving it for 6 months and have travelled about 9000 miles. It's probably worth noting that prior to this I had been driving a SEAT Alhambra 7 seater so was used to excellent visibility and acres of room inside. A change of job and family down sizing gave the opportunity for a change. I find the driving position to be generally comfortable and; easily and variously adjustable (I'm 6ft tall so need a reasonable amount of leg room). However, I have an occasionally recurring back problem so still use a lumbar roll as a rule. The clock is digital and inside the drivers instrument area, which is an irritation for watchless passengers (I'm told!!). Other than that I find the instruments easy to read. The messaging system is...

SnowyCiao 28.12.2005 · Read review
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Review of Volvo V50 2.0 D SE Sportswagon

XC90 T6 Exec. MPV = More Please, Volvo!

Advantages: Most stylish 4X4, hugely roomy, very comfortable, good value for money
Disadvantages: Expensive second hand, needs bigger engine, may not fit your garage

...I am very much aware that my wife is by a long way NOT alone in being a fan of this particular car. A good couple of years after its launch Volvo still have a healthy waiting list for them. That means two things; 1) Volvo actually under-priced this car when they launched it and; 2) that of all the 4X4's on the market the XC90 makes by far the most sound financial sense, its' residual (second hand) value is second to none. Volvo were undoubtedly surprised by the runaway success of their very first entry into the proper 4x4, or as the Americans would call it SUV, Sport Utility Vehicle, market. Sure, they had dabbled with four wheel drive versions of the V70 Estate, but this was a totally new departure for this ultra conservative Swedish firm. However with Fords financing and marketing know how, Volvo have powered from strength to...

RICHADA 03.05.2005 · Read review
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Review of Volvo XC90

1992 Volvo 480 Turbo (1721cc)

Advantages: Quick, fun, cheap
Disadvantages: Some niggles, interior quality

...Having owned my Volvo 480 for a little over a year now, i feel its about time to write a proper review for it. Having been a member of the invaluable online owners club and forum (www.volvo-480-europe.org) for some time before buying i felt infromed as to what to look for and had already walked away from a couple of cheaper / worse condition examples. Hard though it may be to do, its the only way you're going to enjoy your 480, read up before you go and let someone else buy the cursed ones! I bought mine for £671 from a forum member through an ebay auction, which i still think was a bargin. There are cheaper 480's out there but to get any car with a full years MOT and some tax for that price has to be excellent value. Especially since there is no depreciation to cripple you, you should be able to sell a 480 on without any loss...

owen080808 27.04.2007 (12.04.2007) · Read review
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Review of Volvo 480

volvo 850

Advantages: Loads of boot space, loads of extras and excellent safety
Disadvantages: Repairs can cost, Relatively low MPG (25mpg)

...Volvo's...square,ugly old peoples cars. Well no. The 850 released in about 1994 was part of the big image change for volvo and was the first step in the V70 evolution. T The basic car an 850SE 20v was better than most of its opponents and was cheap. The 850 is built like a brick but fortunately doesnt look like one as much as the older Volvos. Some may say that it looks like a slab but what do you expect from a big estate car with the legendary huge volvo boot?. The 850 carries Volvo's reputation for being tremendously safe cars, and now with airbags in the front and between the 3inch thick doors and comfy seats, this is no exeption. The base model does about 125mph at a respectable 10.4secs or if you buy the T5 or R version, you will be burning off those sportscars, as they reach 60 in under 7 seconds. The interior is not bad...

LimpBizkitUK 01.07.2001 (04.09.2002) · Read review
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Review of Volvo 850

Volvo 850 T5 CD

Advantages: perfomance, safety, load capacity
Disadvantages: none

...Almost four years ago I bought a Volvo 850 T5 Auto CD Estate. The new V70 had just come out - a rebadging exercise - so I got a secondhand car price for a car with 50 miles on the clock. The car is a dream to drive, it handles like a sports car, is a comfortable as a limo, can carry more than most vans, and is as safe as a Volvo. To date I have 90,000 miles on the clock, and, although not a speed freak, have tested its acceleration and top speed in Europe, and not been dissappointed. It has had to have the aircon topped up, and the electronic key fob has been tempramental about five times(the extra one I bought is different in design and doesn't have the same foibles). The service by Lancaster Volvo was faultless, but the Volvo dealer in Burnley was poor and returned the car without the turbo connected - so much for their road test! all...

powerful 11.12.2000 · Read review
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Review of Volvo 850

VOLVO 850 T5R

Advantages: Just read and you will find out!
Disadvantages: Servicing should be completed regularly and some problems can persist in some vehicles.

...So, everybody likes the Volvo 850 range. But which is the best, which is the ultimate, which is the fastest, the sportiest, the most quality of all 850 models? Well, it has to be the T5R We have had our T5R for a couple of years, and we paid around 16K for it. It was second-hand but with very low mileage, excellant condition and in the Primula yellow we wanted. As it stands with its 17 inch alloys and extra low profile tyres, the semi-tinted glass against the yellow paintwork... ...it looks very smart. Get in, and the leather seats are very comfortable. The driving position is excellant with full seat movement at a touch of a button. Then the engine starts... It is quiet, very quiet and the usual Volvo whirr can be heard. So, its a volvo with alloys. Not quite... Infact it is also very fast. It can beat a Porsche 911, and the car...

andy500 14.06.2001 (15.07.2001) · Read review
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Review of Volvo 850

Good - but not the best Volvo S60

Advantages: Style, performance, comfort, good economy for performance, well built
Disadvantages: Not S60 prime model

...Right up front I am going to confess that I am writing this as a slightly frustrated non-Volvo S60 driver. Strange statement that don't you think but there we are out here in the big bad world we do not always get what we want??. ??.and we (Mrs Richada and I) really wanted a Volvo S60, but not as it happens, this the most powerful 220bhp 2.4 litre T5 Sport version. 15 years ago I would have not looked at a Volvo fullstop. However if the S60 had then been on the market, this the fastest one would have been my natural choice. Maturity and certain financial commitments now mean that I am inclined to make far more rational choices when it comes to choosing a car, no matter if I pay for it, or is currently the case I have a free choice of company car up to a given budget. Part of my maturity also gives me pangs of conscience...

RICHADA 14.05.2005 · Read review
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Review of Volvo S60 T5

My 1994 Volvo 2.0 20v GLT 7 Seater estate.

Advantages: Loads of space, comfortable ultra-safe.
Disadvantages: Thirsty if you are heavy footed. Parts can be expensive.

...(double width). Finding a double din cd player is going to cost me about £100. The heated seats do not work, but I haven't checked the fuse yet. The rear door panel rattles and is loose, a common fault due to age I believe, although there is a repair kit on a well known auction site for approxiamately £10 so it isn't going to break the bank. This car will comfortably seat 4 adults, 2 smaller children and a toddler on the arm rest booster seat. The only concern I had was a rear end crash with the kids in the boot, I assume that Volvo wouldn't have allowed the seats to be there without stringent testing first. THE COSTS OF OWNERSHIP As I said I have recently had some work done to it, which may seem expensive but in my mind isn't bad and I'll explain why. Two front tyres were low, new ones fitted balanced. £70 the pair...

safariman72 14.01.2007 · Read review
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Review of Volvo 850