R9UKE's French Car Blog...

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 26 May 2011, 15:26

Wow that clip is pretty dam unbelievable! They really are extra-ordinary machines. My uncle bought the latest shape Freelander back in October and I was amazed by the stuff it could do in the snow we had - It puts the old shape Freelander to shame. There was a Top Gear episode not so long ago where Jezza tested the BMW X6. It couldn't get up a little grassy incline and the camera zoomed out to reveal the Range Rover driving past it as if the wet grass was tarmac - fantastic!

That RR came in as a repossession. I'm guessing the owner saw the end and decided to vent some anger on the beast. I remember it had gorgeous, and very rare, blue leather. The front suspension was fine when the car arrived at Wilsons, but we came in one morning to find it sitting like that

TBH no, there's not many of those arrive at Wilsons. They get loads of Range Rover Sports (the housewife car), and more X5s than a school at home time.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 26 May 2011, 20:02

An excellent demonstration of their abilities, mind its chunky tyres will have helped there and of course the tractor unit was driving too.

When we had our Rangie we pulled a minibus full of nuns up a very very steep embankment covered in snow and ice. A little comical!

KP · Unread post by KP » 26 May 2011, 21:24

Yeah I think they tyres are insa turbos which are noted as good for mud and wet loose surfaces

Can't wait to get one or a nice lr3 later this year but I don't think I'll see mud like that!

The fl2 I had during the December snow was great in 2foot snow

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 26 May 2011, 21:34

I have a real soft spot for the first Freelanders, its something I would like to have

I do like Discovery 3s, If money was no object, I would probably have one as my dailer driver to save the exotics from the daily dinks and dents

They are too complex for me though, I wouldn't like to own one out of warranty.

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 30 May 2011, 20:22

What do we all think of the Volvo S70?

S-reg 2.4 20v has turned up at Wilsons for auction tomorrow night. I fear the bearded Scandinavian inside me will end up bidding, but it's never a Volvo I've really liked - it just seemed confused as to which generation of Volvo it belonged to....

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 30 May 2011, 20:25

S70s are good. It does all the things a big Volvo does very well. Get it bought, one step closer to the S80.

The guy I bought the Xm estate from has a Volvo 240 Estate. I look it for a drive, and I want one. Excellent cars.

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 30 May 2011, 20:30

True, all the right ingredients are there I suppose! It's a manual though

A 240? Was it red? I've seen a red one about quite a bit. Proper old Swedish tanks. I need to venture a bit further back than the 740!

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 30 May 2011, 20:37

It was Silver, another RPM special. LIB something or other, less than 100K miles.

Manuals fine, its not that bad, its a Volvo after all.

You need a 760 GLE as well as going back in time!

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 30 May 2011, 20:47

I like the S70

Not a bad looking car, if in the usual dull Volvo way. Will be good cars and I like the interiors in those. Good, dependable, comfortable and excellent value, you can't go wrong! I'd get it bought.

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 30 May 2011, 21:02

What further encouragement do you need Luke, at least its a Petrol and has more than 4 Cylinders, so you have to buy it.

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 30 May 2011, 21:21

It looks like most people on here have a soft spot for Volvos that's just begging to be put into practise??

True, it's a smart looking car, plus that's the engine that the Renault Safrane has and it's supposed to be excellent.

Had a brief sit in it today. It's got grandad spec brown/beige leather and wood trim.

We'll see what happens - would be a nice post-exam treat

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 30 May 2011, 21:35

R9UKE wrote:It looks like most people on here have a soft spot for Volvos

I bloody hate them with a passion. I guess they're OK if you find bricks to be attractive. They have all the styling flair and character of a road drill.

Overrated junk

The ONLY car that ever let me down and stranded me was a Volvo.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 30 May 2011, 21:42

A Volvo is a car I would seriously consider if I, for what ever reason, couldnt buy a French one.

C30s, S40s, S60s and S80s can be had with Peugeot Citroen diesel engines ....

I mainly like the earlier S series cars and not a huge fan of the later or current ones. I like the Volvo-ness of them, if that makes sense!

I wonder what other forum members would buy if it were not a French car ...

I do wonder if Italian cars might be up on the list, as they have quite a bit of design flair, interesting cars and idea etc.

Edit: Just did a bit of digging into which engine is in the earlier S40 diesels, as I didnt think volvo ever made their own 1.9D engine. Its a Renault unit ... aparently the Mitsubishi sourced 1.8 petrol is the one to go for.
The new/current S40 seems to be a Ford Focus with a different body.
Where has the Volvo-ness gone, was it ever there ...

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 30 May 2011, 21:49

I've I bought a Volvo, it would have to be a 960 Estate with a tweed jacket hooked up in the back along with an air rifle in the boot

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 30 May 2011, 21:53

red_dwarfers wrote:I've I bought a Volvo, it would have to be a 960 Estate with a tweed jacket hooked up in the back along with an air rifle in the boot

And a hook to tether the guide dog

Is it true that all new Volvos come with a free consultation at Specsavers?