That time of year again and in the true spirit of losing money each year Ive got rid of the Lexus and got a Volvo s80.
The Lexus was a great car, not as reliable as it should have been, but a great car none the less. I done 25k in it in just over a year and its raised my opinion of them anyway.
So, usual criteria, something cheap but comfy and hopefully with a bit of kit. I like cars that look a bit more expensive that what it cost. Anyways, after a fair bit of research and looking at a number of options I have just got today this:
The pic is from the Volvo site. Cost me £9500 including the private plate swap over and 6 months tax. It has 52k on the clock and is quite well equipped. Its a 2.5t (231bhp) SE Lux.
Its got a few options, including adaptive cruise, collision detection stuff and blind spot warning shenanigans. I dont have a clue how most of it works yet, but it seems nice.
The leather is very nice and the seats are better than the Lexus. Initial impressions are that it does indeed handle a little better but interestingly it rides better than the GS too. Thats one thing I do like these days due to my work travel, a good ride
Anyways, other early notes are that the Volvo premium stereo aint bad and it has a USB slot which was a nice bonus. The engine seems a lot more responsive than the Lexus, although the Lexus really shifted when wound up. The refinement in general seems better although this is 4 years newer and with 1/2 the miles. Road noise is less, and of course less rattles from the dash. Has adaptive zenons and heated seats etc, not a bad spec list.
The engine is a newer revised t5 I think, similar to the focus St and a number of other cars. The newer engine is a touch more powerful but has reduced carbons, so tax is a little cheaper than the usual models.
Its approved used, although id expect it to be reliable I still like the comfort of the warranty, so this was another bonus that helped seal the deal.
Anyways, I'll leave it at that and probably update again in a few days with more thoughts. It'll deprectiate more again im sure, but for a 59 plate car with this kind of kit, im happy. Oh, no Nav, but I wasnt fussed as the Volvo Nav is pretty poop it seems.
bye bye Lexus, you served me well
The Lexus was a great car, not as reliable as it should have been, but a great car none the less. I done 25k in it in just over a year and its raised my opinion of them anyway.
So, usual criteria, something cheap but comfy and hopefully with a bit of kit. I like cars that look a bit more expensive that what it cost. Anyways, after a fair bit of research and looking at a number of options I have just got today this:
The pic is from the Volvo site. Cost me £9500 including the private plate swap over and 6 months tax. It has 52k on the clock and is quite well equipped. Its a 2.5t (231bhp) SE Lux.
Its got a few options, including adaptive cruise, collision detection stuff and blind spot warning shenanigans. I dont have a clue how most of it works yet, but it seems nice.
The leather is very nice and the seats are better than the Lexus. Initial impressions are that it does indeed handle a little better but interestingly it rides better than the GS too. Thats one thing I do like these days due to my work travel, a good ride
Anyways, other early notes are that the Volvo premium stereo aint bad and it has a USB slot which was a nice bonus. The engine seems a lot more responsive than the Lexus, although the Lexus really shifted when wound up. The refinement in general seems better although this is 4 years newer and with 1/2 the miles. Road noise is less, and of course less rattles from the dash. Has adaptive zenons and heated seats etc, not a bad spec list.
The engine is a newer revised t5 I think, similar to the focus St and a number of other cars. The newer engine is a touch more powerful but has reduced carbons, so tax is a little cheaper than the usual models.
Its approved used, although id expect it to be reliable I still like the comfort of the warranty, so this was another bonus that helped seal the deal.
Anyways, I'll leave it at that and probably update again in a few days with more thoughts. It'll deprectiate more again im sure, but for a 59 plate car with this kind of kit, im happy. Oh, no Nav, but I wasnt fussed as the Volvo Nav is pretty poop it seems.
bye bye Lexus, you served me well
.
