Keep it or get a Diesel

no_more_cards_for_me

I have a volvo S60 2.0T. 107k on the clock with a full service history. Starts every time and never let me down. However the ride is awful ! I've been told that 3 of the wheels are buckled but don't know what affect this would have on its normal ride. The car isn't fun to drive on backroads and with some of the potholes around then the ride is very crashy and each bump can be felt. The suspension could probably do with changing - replacing the shocks and the springs. I was quoted £1k to do this on a car worth £2.5k. So is it worth it ?

The local 2nd hand dealership has a nice 130k Diesel mondeo 2.0 TDCI on a 52 plate. I don't know the history but the car looks pretty clean. So do I keep the volvo and spend some more money on it or trade it in against a diesel.

I do about 15,000 miles per annum - mix of business and private. Car would be used for both, diesel appeals but is it a good decision to change ?

jaydeeuk1

You say you don't know the condition of the mondeo - last owner might have had same issues as you, eg a lot of expensive work doing to a car worth very little. Could be a great runner, could be on its last legs.

Does your suspension need doing to stay road legal/safe? If not, then its up to whether to spend. You know history of your car. So imo, I'd probably keep what I have.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Volvo should be a smooth ride, and you mention buckled wheels.

Is the car on silly great wheels with elastic bands for tyres?

If so it might be worth trying to source the correct size of tyre and wheel for the car from breaker/fleabay...i'm assuming at this point some previous owner has fitted low profile's to the car, normally Volvo's run sensible size tyres.

I'd sort my own excellent car and keep it well serviced for a long life.

Mondeo might be a great car and run for years trouble free, and the previous owner might have just misfuelled it and there might be a £3K bill waiting for the next unwary owner in 3 months time, who knows?

harveybobbles

Get some 2nd hand wheels from a breakers yard. Keep the S60 - they really are a fantastic car!

AdrianHi

Cannot see any reason why suspension should need so much work at 107,000 miles, unusually hard life may be.
Buckled wheels bad, I'd agree with getting some "healthy" wheels for not much money and seeing if this sorts it out for you.
A 1 to 2 year old Mondeo or similar depreciates about £1500 a year so I wouldn't want to spend £1000 on something older that will have another £500+ of expenses the younger car will not have. In this scenario the old car is not money saving vs. newer car.
That assumes you have a means of funding the newer car.

Jakg

Buckled wheels and damaged suspension?!

Your car has probably been in a serious accident and "repaired" by a cowboy...!