We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Mazda, Renault or Volvo
Comments
-
The Fire service one you drove is unlikely to be modified from standard spec, the MetPol and the LAS don't modify them mechanically, other than uprated alternators and second battery in the boot occasionally. It may have been fitted with the largest alloys or steel wheels available, though it is unlikely to have had any mechanical work, these days cars are fast enough in standard spec not to need it, most response cars are sent to Macnellie or RSG standard and they put in all the racks etc. UVModular have gone down the pan.
The Vectra Area Response cars in London, V6 CDTi had a remap by Courtney but that was it, and that was to address a specific issue with throttle response, not make them much faster.
Sorry about the Skoda waiting list, but I think that is due to several Police Forces and the various Ambulance Trusts buying loads of Estates and in the process of buying more.
I would always have reservations about recommending a Renault, though I personally like Renaults, have had loads over the years, as have family members, but would feel guilty about recommending one then it was unreliable.
A couple of our HR managers have the Volvo V50 eDrive, the big advantage being the Co2, and I believe the V50 eco model is free from the London CC. It may lack the outright punch of the 163 models but the drive will be very similar, once you have worn out the first set of tyres though, as I think they come with low rolling resistance tyres.
The only reason the London Ambulance Service didn't buy the V50 or V70 was purely cost related, Hampshire Ambulance Service, now part of SCAS NHS Trust has loads of Volvos, V70 and V50, also Kent, now part of Secamb has loads of Volvo V50's.
I actually used a V70 T5 for response work in Bristol and in Kent a couple of years ago, doing sub contract work for a company called Evolved Medical, the company changed hands and now works in Birmingham with the same Volvos though I can't remember the new company name off hand, the V70's where a cancelled Police order as the new shape V70 had come out and the only difference was a different cloth on the seats and the dash had a blanking plate instead of a radio.
I personally would rate the Mazda 6, as it has a lot in common with the Mondeo, it is also a nice drive according to a friend that has one, though it is a hatch.
I would be tempted to wait for a Skoda or try and get a Yeti, but if you can cope with the slightly reduced performance then go for the Volvo, its low Co2 must be beneficial from a tax point of view.
More ambulance talk which is of no help to the OP.0 -
More ambulance talk which is of no help to the OP.
Take time to read it all, hard use is a good way to tell if a car is robust.
This hard use is in 999 Ambulance Response work, and relates DIRECTLY to the OP when he mentions that he has driven a Fire Service response car, though almost certainly actually an Officers car, and thought they are uprated, which they are not.
If you can't see the relevance then that is your problem, but as you are uninterested in thought provoking, helping anybody or being a productive member of the forum then why waste out time commenting.
You are getting really boring now, and I strongly suspect it isn't just me finding your mutterings boring and pointless.
If I voiced an opinion without quantifying it you would try and say you know better, but as I now quantify my comments you are moaning about the fact I am adding extra information to show that my opinion is both helpful and informative.
Why not just keep your pointless comments to yourself.0 -
Are the choices i have for my next co car but which one -
Mazda 6 Estate 2.2 163 TS2
Renault Laguna Sport Tourer 150 Dyn TomTom
Volvo V50 eDrive 1.6 Stop/Start ES
Get this one, you won't be disappointed.
Not as 'Ford' as some here would have you believe if you actually make the effort to find out.;)0 -
Get this one, you won't be disappointed.
Not as 'Ford' as some here would have you believe if you actually make the effort to find out.;)
I think the Mazda is better looking than the Mondeo to be honest, possibly might have better image and residuals due to relative lack of fleet sales.0 -
The Fire service one you drove is unlikely to be modified from standard spec, the MetPol and the LAS don't modify them mechanically, other than uprated alternators and second battery in the boot occasionally. It may have been fitted with the largest alloys or steel wheels available, though it is unlikely to have had any mechanical work, these days cars are fast enough in standard spec not to need it, most response cars are sent to Macnellie or RSG standard and they put in all the racks etc. UVModular have gone down the pan.
The Vectra Area Response cars in London, V6 CDTi had a remap by Courtney but that was it, and that was to address a specific issue with throttle response, not make them much faster.
Sorry about the Skoda waiting list, but I think that is due to several Police Forces and the various Ambulance Trusts buying loads of Estates and in the process of buying more.
I would always have reservations about recommending a Renault, though I personally like Renaults, have had loads over the years, as have family members, but would feel guilty about recommending one then it was unreliable.
A couple of our HR managers have the Volvo V50 eDrive, the big advantage being the Co2, and I believe the V50 eco model is free from the London CC. It may lack the outright punch of the 163 models but the drive will be very similar, once you have worn out the first set of tyres though, as I think they come with low rolling resistance tyres.
The only reason the London Ambulance Service didn't buy the V50 or V70 was purely cost related, Hampshire Ambulance Service, now part of SCAS NHS Trust has loads of Volvos, V70 and V50, also Kent, now part of Secamb has loads of Volvo V50's.
I actually used a V70 T5 for response work in Bristol and in Kent a couple of years ago, doing sub contract work for a company called Evolved Medical, the company changed hands and now works in Birmingham with the same Volvos though I can't remember the new company name off hand, the V70's where a cancelled Police order as the new shape V70 had come out and the only difference was a different cloth on the seats and the dash had a blanking plate instead of a radio.
I personally would rate the Mazda 6, as it has a lot in common with the Mondeo, it is also a nice drive according to a friend that has one, though it is a hatch.
I would be tempted to wait for a Skoda or try and get a Yeti, but if you can cope with the slightly reduced performance then go for the Volvo, its low Co2 must be beneficial from a tax point of view.
thanks for that, the fire service, only had uprated breaks, not power. the ambulance service up here seem to have gone mad on skodas as well.
I do like the volvo to drive, but spec is crap, i have run a renault laguna for three years with no issues, just don't like the car and fancy a change, mazda is winning for me currently.The futures bright the future is Ginger0 -
-
-
thanks for that, the fire service, only had uprated breaks, not power. the ambulance service up here seem to have gone mad on skodas as well.
I do like the volvo to drive, but spec is crap, i have run a renault laguna for three years with no issues, just don't like the car and fancy a change, mazda is winning for me currently.
From what I have heard from various Private Hire drivers, my mates in YAS and people I know that subcontract in Southampton for M+L the Skoda Octavia may well be one of the few Ambulance use proof cars ever produced.
HEMS Paras have said that the Skoda is as well built or possibly slightly better built than the various Subarus they have had over the years.
They are also used by several Police Forces and the Superb has been passed as fit for use as a Traffic Car in London.
Definately a sign of a well built, well designed and well priced car.
I agree that the Mazda 6 is a very nice looking car, though would have some concerns about how well the painted plastic trim on some models will survive.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351.7K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454K Spending & Discounts
- 244.7K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.3K Life & Family
- 258.4K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards