2012 - Volvo S40 1.6d or Insignia 2.0d

delaney_p

Hi

So, not a bad problem to have, but I'm looking to change my car. Have a 2.0T petrol A6 auto. Very thirsty car.

Am doing approx 50kms each way to work. Mostly motorway/moving.

Have gone shopping and was thinking of going for a 1.6d 2012 Volvo S40 or a 2.0d 2012 Opel Insignia ecoflex.

What do you guys think? Would the 1.6d be much more economical?

Insignia would be approx 1500 more expensive to buy. Both have €200 road tax.

thanks guys

bazz26

I'd probably opt for the extra power of the 2.0 litre in the Insignia especially for motorway driving. What sort of spec does the Insignia have?

ninty9er

I wouldn't buy an Insignia with my own money unless it was an SRi or Elite with very big wheels. The clutch on pre-facelift is a bit delicate.

Get a 2l Volvo. Lovely car. the 1.6 Volvo isn't underpowered as such, but the 2l gives that bit of poke you need from time to time. The 1.6 is a complete miser on fuel though. I got from Cork to Tralee and back one day on just over 1/8 of a tank.

I've just noticed there are no 2012 2l available in Ireland. autotraderni has a few though.

Capri86

I find the 1.6d great on the motorway. You can put your foot own in 5th and it'll still pull. Granted the 2.0 would be nice for the extra power but I don't find the 1.6 lacking at all.
Such a comfortable car too!

bazz26

It should also be noted that the S40 is not as spacious as the Insignia but the Insignia does have poor headroom especially for rear passengers.

php-fox

I haven't had any experience with insignia, so can't comment.

But a have a 1.6d volvo 08, for 2 years. It's a great car. Great for motorway driving. Don't expect the engine to burn the rubber like mad, but it has enough power for what I need. The fuel economy is great. I get 5.2l/100k in mixed driving. 4.7l/100km on motorways (even more if you stick to 100km/h).

If you're going for Volvo, make sure you get it with the full spec. The leather seats are great and very comfortable. Wood trims, etc. It's just a luxury driving experience all around.

On the bad parts.
Volvo servicing costs. 350-400 euro for a service, 100 euro + vat per hour of labour. I do most of my servicing myself and use third party garages for other stuff. You can service it by ford dealers, as volvo and ford share the same engine and base.

Suspension is very sporty, and can be hard on back roads. Give it a test drive, and see if that's something you like.

Also, Volvos depreciate very rapidly due to reasons beyond my fragile sanity.

delaney_p

Thanks guys

Went for the Volvo. Yeap has leather seats. Very comfortable.

Was surprised at the power in the 1.6 d. Not as bad as I had been told by petrol heads. Should be better fuel economy.

Very happy. Haven't filled it yet so hope I remember its diesel ! Thankfully there is a sticker on the fuel cap.

Matthewjohn

Well wear! Did you get Se or R-design?

ninty9er

delaney_p wrote: »

Thanks guys

Went for the Volvo. Yeap has leather seats. Very comfortable.

Was surprised at the power in the 1.6 d. Not as bad as I had been told by petrol heads. Should be better fuel economy.

Very happy. Haven't filled it yet so hope I remember its diesel ! Thankfully there is a sticker on the fuel cap.

Expect people to talk to you slowly when the see that. Screams rental car! :P I wonder if I've driven it

Well ware!! Nice piece of kit

delaney_p

It's an SE in grey. Thanks guys.

I can see what you mean by rental - I drive crazy so maybe people will think I'm a tourist and forgive me. Let me out into traffic in the mornings. Win win situation :-)