£3000-3500 to spend. Volvo S60?

Psycloud

Hi All

Thanks to a careless driver our beloved 2001 Toyota Corolla has been written off so we need to replace it. We have between 3k and 3.5k to spend and are looking for a good reliable family car (3 tweenagers), the Corolla never let us down and we had it for 5 years and only ever had minimal work done (tyres, brakes etc).

We are considering a 2002 Volvo S60 or maybe a 2002 Corolla Verso (the 5 seater that nobody wanted ) - both of which go for about the same price with between 60 and 80k on the clock. The Volvo seems a lot more car for the money and Parkers rate them equally on reliability and safety.

Does anyone have practical experience of either car? Or perhaps suggest another? Reliability is key, we do around 8-10k a year.

Many thanks!

David

gonzo127

is there any reason why you have discounted the usual suspects like the mondeo/vectra?

another one to look out for would be the skoda octavia - there is a reason why all so many cab's and copper's drive them

Gordon_Hose

Ford Mondeo's are cheap as chips to service! My next car will probably be a diesel Mondeo.

10JH

older Saab 9-3 or 9-5 might be worth a look.

Good for safety, not so sure on reliability.

sillygoose

I had an S60. Its essential to go diesel as the petrols are much too thirsty. I sometimes still pine for my S60 as nothing has ever come close for comfort. It was also extremely reliable (as were the 3 Volvo's I had in a row) but.. be aware routine servicing costs are not cheap for Volvo, the service I used to get was 1st class but it does feel like your paying for it.

Safety is not a problem, many manufacturers just design their car to pass the NCAP test, Volvo design cars to withstand almost every scenario. Certainly built tough. One night on a country lane mine hit a big deer at speed and came away without a scratch, sadly the deer ended up as a job lot of foxes ready meals.

If your not doing a great mileage so that service intervals don't come around too often then you are right to consider it.

harveybobbles

S60's are a great car! They have a poor turning circle though.

If you go for a diesel, watch out for the odd puff of smoke on a steady throttle - this indicates that the intercooler is on its way out. Not a big problem, but one to watch for.
Cup holders bust easily, but thats nowt major either. Front tyres will wear fast, but again nothing major.

Mega comfy, loads of spec. The petrol ones are ok,. but the diesels are no dearer to buy.

Corolla Vs S60.? durrrrrrrrrrrrrr lol.

One point I forgot to mention - if you have three kiddies, then take them along with you to view it as rear space is quite poor.

aqueoushumour01

if the Toyota Corolla was so good why not get another?

Psycloud

aqueoushumour01 wrote: »

if the Toyota Corolla was so good why not get another?

The Corolla we had was the old 2000 shape and that was very reliable. We would like a newer car though and the 2002 Corolla is a different car altogether so not necessarily as reliable. Parkers guide rates it equally with the Volvo for safety and reliability but the Volvo does offer much more in the way of extras for the same price.

We have been to see a Volvo S60 now and it does drive beautifully. We did not buy it because the dealer failed to mention in the ad and on the phone (despite being specifically asked about the condition) that the paintwork was scratched to bu&&ery (including massive scuff on the rear wheel arch), wing mirror housing cracked with a large piece missing and the interior also scratched badly. Shame, could have been a nice buy.