A word of warning avtur - the new Volvo's have plenty of issues to consider Best check that out before deciding your choice  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

avtur wrote:

sorry CG the 'van is staying ...)

You'd really own a Volvo rather than ditch the van and stay in a comfortable hotel/holiday cottage did you do something in a past life that your ashamed off  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

I used to drive Volvo V70's in the past but had to sell it when my company "forced" me to drive a VW Passat company car. I didn't like the Passat (never did) and it's kitchy interior lighting but must admit that it had a very good handling and a nice engine/gearbox combination. When I got rid of that car - and unfortunately also the job - I had to decide which car to buy now, and I could arrange making a test drive of a V70 and a FL2 the same day.
First I drove the new V70 4x4 and to my surprise I was disappointed by its vague and unpleasant handling and grumbling engine. (yes, I must have been accustomed to the superior Passat...). It was clear to me that my new car wouldn't be a Volvo V70 again. No way. I was anxious though how the test of the FL2 in the afternoon would be as I didn't see any other car model or make that could warm me up.
And yes, a short test drive of the FL2 was enough to convince me. Despite its weight and large size the handling was so much better and the engine better balanced that I had to force myself not to sign the contract immediately but to reconsider it for a few days...

Last edited by Paul on 2nd Feb 2009 9:34 am. Edited 1 time in total

chicken george wrote:

did you do something in a past life that your ashamed off

You said you wouldn't mention that !!


early 50's, grey, a caravan and now considering a Volvo ..... there's no hope for me  Stornoway Grey GS ... What a fine motor ... but not any more ... ... psst look at my gallery!
Company cars ... a thing of the past - May 2013.

My brother has the Volvo V50 R-Design D5 Manual Estate, very nice car , bought his wife a new Volvo C30 R-Design too, which is ok, not the best for a family with a dog though due to its small boot  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

npinks wrote:

My brother has the Volvo V50 R-Design D5 Manual Estate, very nice car ,

As I say got the V50 coming this weekend, the first hurdle it has to pass is will the dog crate fit in the boot? - I think its going to be marginal, but we'll see. I'm particulalry taken by the powershift transmission, however I can't find out anything about towing with the powershift, need to be sure it can cope with fully laden hillstart with 'van on the back. It doesn't have a torque converter, its all done by automated operation of the wet clutch system. Stornoway Grey GS ... What a fine motor ... but not any more ... ... psst look at my gallery!
Company cars ... a thing of the past - May 2013.

dont forget the issues - they got more in the repair garages than on the roads in Scandinavia  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

avtur wrote:

You said you wouldn't mention that !!


early 50's, grey, a caravan and now considering a Volvo ..... there's no hope for me

In your own words "The beginning of the end ...."  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Not sure on the dog crate side of thing with the V50, my brothers dalmatian fits in the boot nicely

He has a OEM fold down dog gaurd and a clip on partitian that keeps his dog to one half away from the shopping and or babys pushchair

Could the Techincal Helpline with the caravan club shed any light on the powershift box  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I would keep an eye on this thread:



http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=64117


not much response untill now though...

Avtur already getting his feet through the door on the Volvo forum

Not a good responce though, might need the add on cooler they advertise in caravan magazines to keep the auto box cooler  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

npinks wrote:

Avtur already getting his feet through the door on the Volvo forum

No secrets around here then

Interesting comment about overheating, not sure sure where that comes from, I'm sure I've read every word that can be found about powershifts but haven't seen that before. The Powershift box is quite unlike a traditional auto box and doesn't have a torque converter, which is the usual cause of overheating. So I'm not quite sure how this problem arises ... I'll keep digging.

Good call on CC technical, I'll do that.

I've also tried to sign up for a Jaguar forum, but there seems to be a problem with that activation, been waiting over a week now, may be they want me  Stornoway Grey GS ... What a fine motor ... but not any more ... ... psst look at my gallery!
Company cars ... a thing of the past - May 2013.

I'm on the slippery slope now ....

Got my first demonstrator on the drive, Volvo V50 2.0D R-Design SE Sport. It's passed the first test without turning a wheel, the dog crate fits ... just. Now got three days to drive it!

I've also been trying to get hold of a Jaguar X type demonstrator. The Jaguar demonstrator function is a contracted out job (as is the case with most manufacturers) but the company that had been operating has gone bust. The new organisation appears not to be able to cope, after waiting about ten days my appointed dealer contact called me yesterday, very embarrased, he simply cannot get a car.

Very poor reflection of the LR/Jag brand ! Stornoway Grey GS ... What a fine motor ... but not any more ... ... psst look at my gallery!
Company cars ... a thing of the past - May 2013.

the D5 V50 is great, just been in my brothers tonight, for all of 10 minutes to the pub and back,

He had the 2.0D in SE version nice car, will go well with the pipe and slippers  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

no no no never never never At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race