Volvo s60 2.0T opinions?

conzy

Done a bit of research on the usual places like Honest John and Volvo forums, seems like a cracker of a car. Was looking at something like a 1.8T Audi A4 or Passat around the 2002 age and the Volvo doesn't hold its value as well so they are a lot more affordable, they're also more powerful (~180hp vs 150hp or 163hp) and seem to be in a cheaper insurance band too because I get a quote from FBD of €1250 for the s60 where as if I try a 180hp VAG 1.8T such as the A4 or Octavia VRS etc I cant get a quote..

So anyway thats the good stuff is there any bad stuff? Whats the handling like? Considering I have a Vectra at the minute it wont take much to impress

Henry Ford III

I like them. Safe, with good engines, and decent spec.

They are solid cars, and running costs won't be the lowest.

conzy

Are they similar on juice too the VAG 1.8T? Around 30mpg with a mix of urban and motorway? 20 if driven hard and around 35 maybe a tiny bit more if doing nothing but motorway? Have heard that they are thirsty but are the thirsty compared to the diesel models? Or thirst compared to other cars in the same class? Thanks!

R.O.R

conzymaher wrote: »

Are they similar on juice too the VAG 1.8T? Around 30mpg with a mix of urban and motorway? 20 if driven hard and around 35 maybe a tiny bit more if doing nothing but motorway? Have heard that they are thirsty but are the thirsty compared to the diesel models? Or thirst compared to other cars in the same class? Thanks!

From a couple of journeys home in an 06 S60 2.0T, they are a lot heavier on juice than the VAG 1.8T (had a VRS). Not sure of the Volvo tank size, but it was estimating around 470km from a full tank whereas I used to get 400 Miles from the 50litre tank in the Octy. That's based on mainly motorway usage.

It also doesn't feel as quick as the 180bhp suggests. It's no slouch, but just didn't feel anywhere near as quick as the VAG lump.

Nice car all the same, if you can live with the thirst.

eljono

R.O.R wrote: »

From a couple of journeys home in an 06 S60 2.0T, they are a lot heavier on juice than the VAG 1.8T (had a VRS). Not sure of the Volvo tank size, but it was estimating around 470km from a full tank whereas I used to get 400 Miles from the 50litre tank in the Octy. That's based on mainly motorway usage.

It also doesn't feel as quick as the 180bhp suggests. It's no slouch, but just didn't feel anywhere near as quick as the VAG lump.

Nice car all the same, if you can live with the thirst.

470km from a full tank would equate to only 300mls! My father is on his second S60 2.0T and averages 8l/100km in mixed driving. He gets over 700 kms from a full tank. I think it's a 70-litre tank so if the one you drove was only showing or getting 470km, I'd suggest that there was something wrong with that particular car R.O.R.

Off the line acceleration isn't great, it's in-gear where it's impressive. Great for overtaking quickly without needing to drop gears. I like the ride but the handling is uninspiring, the car is more of a cruiser than hustler and it does that role very well. They generally come with a good spec too and have very comfortable seats for long journeys.

ShadowHearth

I love these. I was thinking of s60 t5 myself. Was pretty serious about getting one.

As mentioned before, it's not a racing car. It's a cruiser with some power when you need it.

They are cheap as hell these days.

conzy

The R is nice alright but thats like suggesting an S4 when im looking at an A4 My budget is only €3000 or so and thats why the S60 is so attractive.. But now im worried im going to lose any savings I make at the petrol pumps!

What would you count as "reasonable" mileage for a 2002 model? Seen a few with around 80k miles which is nice, but a lot of them are around 110k miles? Would that be regarded a bit on the high side for an S60 if I wanted to get a few years out of it?

Thanks again! Im not sure what I want really, the VAG 1.8T is cheaper to run, cheaper to tax and faster with a remap. But the s60 is cheaper to buy and faster without a remap...

unkel

conzymaher wrote: »

Are they similar on juice too the VAG 1.8T? Around 30mpg with a mix of urban and motorway? 20 if driven hard and around 35 maybe a tiny bit more if doing nothing but motorway?

About that, but it depends on your mix and your diving style. You'd need to have a good mix and an economical driving style to make 30 tbh. It's much the same in other cars this size and weight with a turbo petrol engine.

The S60 is a smart choice second or third hand. It's a decent car, cheap to buy and a lot of poke for the 2l motor tax.

conzy

Thanks for the advice lads, Any other similar cars worth a look?

Im looking for something with a bit of poke, don't want something boy racery or something too refined either

Any of the Variable Valve Timing Japanese cars worth a look in this price range, an Accord or something?

illegalpower

Saab 9-3 2.0 lpt or 1.8t is nice too

conzy

Yeah I always liked the look of them too, they are a bit more expensive to buy but seem less thirsty than the volvo around 37mpg as opposed to 30mpg..

conzy

Oooh the Saab's also have a boost gauge The 2.0T (capital T) is ~210hp stock and remaps to about ~240hp which is really nice, insurance might be an issue now that the 200hp barrier is broken...

unkel

conzymaher wrote: »

insurance might be an issue now that the 200hp barrier is broken...

You'll probably be pleasantly surprised. A powerful Saab (or Volvo) has no attraction to the boy racer brigade, whereas...

conzymaher wrote: »

Any of the Variable Valve Timing Japanese cars worth a look in this price range, an Accord or something?

Might be expensive to insure because statistically their drivers cause a lot of crashes...

Ring a good few insurance companies and let us know the results!

voteforpedro

what about a 2.0T vectra? same as a saab only cheaper;)

Lex Luthor

I'd rather a 2.0T signum if depreciation wasn't an issue than the vec. Chance anyway to get one in uk that has had all its majority of deprediation done.

freestyla

2.0t is too slow. Otherwise refined, quiet.

T5 has huge turbo lag (or gearbox lag?) but then again very sophisticated cruiser and yes it kicks as hell in straight line overtaking! very super stable in extreme conditions - i avoid a rabbit on wet narrow backroad driving 140kmh! does this sound dangerous?? :rolleyes:

R model is beast if can find / afford one.

Also in S60 you can sit whole day! the best seats of many many cars. Backseats too haha

freestyla

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I'd rather a 2.0T signum if depreciation wasn't an issue than the vec. Chance anyway to get one in uk that has had all its majority of deprediation done.

I m so sorry but must laugh on this - turbo signum?? Why??

Lex Luthor

freestyla wrote: »

I m so sorry but must laugh on this - turbo signum?? Why??

over a vectra 2.0T..why not?
same engine, better spec

Henry Ford III

freestyla wrote: »

2.0t is too slow. Otherwise refined, quiet.

T5 has huge turbo lag (or gearbox lag?) but then again very sophisticated cruiser and yes it kicks as hell in straight line overtaking! very super stable in extreme conditions - i avoid a rabbit on wet narrow backroad driving 140kmh! does this sound dangerous?? :rolleyes:

R model is beast if can find / afford one.

Never heard of gearbox lag

freestyla

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Never heard of gearbox lag

Me neither but I know S60 T5 drops from 5th to 3rd whilst gas pedal to the medal.. now I dont know if the lag is due:
1. turbo
2. gearbox slow change
3. or just a ECU feature not to have jerky ride if ie press gas too much by accident

Henry Ford III

OSI wrote: »

I don't get it. Are you talking about kick back on an Auto transmission?

Kick down?

conzy

This remap for the Volvo looks nice:

http://www.rica-uk.com/viewcar.aspx?vehicle=144

180hp up to 225hp and they sell a little handheld OBD Programmer so you can load / unload the map whenever... Pretty price though, the map alone is €560!

Im wondering is it possible to "share" a map with someone, like 2 or 3 people go in on buying the map and the loader?

freestyla

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Kick down?

yes auto box, sry not mentioning earlier