Mrs Toastsmith’s Volvo S40

[Marm Toastsmith]

Not exactly a shite purchase, but I'm finding that locally anything much below this price appears to be fairly shit. Mrs T is looking for a new runabout - something that's got a few years left in it and will be low hassle to own.

Wish list:

• 5 doors, 5 seats
• Petrol (or possibly hybrid)
• Lowish mileage and/or evidence of being well maintained
• Definite bonus points for being Japanese and within, say, 100 miles of Devon.

I'd hope this is not impossible. I'm seeing stuff advertised locally but at the price it all seems either a little bit too old, high miles, or rusty to be worth the money.

There's a degree of open mindedness to the search but it's not yet desperate so we're trying to wait for the right thing to turn up.

We were very tempted that convertible Merc on here but 4 seats and being in Norfolk (and nowhere near a train station) counted against it. Similarly the Volvo C30 appeals but it's not ideal for carrying kids and that's what it's going to get used for - but if it was down the road we'd probably have bought it already. Diesels are a no no but otherwise try me. Slightly scruffy is OK but nothing in danger of needing welding repairs any time soon.

[Jazoli]

Good luck with your search but i do fear the above, I found there was nothing at all recently.

[Gruber]

The "auto" bit is the real killer here.  A friend asked me if I could help her find something local along similar lines (slightly lower budget) and her insistence on an auto box made the hunt considerably harder.  She ended up with a Focus in the end, which she's happy with - but older than she'd been hoping.  

Good luck with the hunt!

[Alan_Green]

Just been down the same road recently, sourcing something for a pal.  After much beard scratching decided a 1.8 Astra was the best bet.  

 

[jmsguzzi]

Considering moving my Forester on soon, cosmetically it’s terrible but has had all the important welding done and is mechanically good, 72,000 miles, Aircon, cruise, Heated seats, 4 speed Auto, ULEZ compliant. A little bit further than 100 miles tho…. 😬

[Marm Toastsmith]

10 minutes ago, jmsguzzi said:

Considering moving my Forester on soon, cosmetically it’s terrible but has had all the important welding done and is mechanically good, 72,000 miles, Aircon, cruise, Heated seats, 4 speed Auto, ULEZ compliant. A little bit further than 100 miles tho…. 😬

We both love a Forester but as you say not exactly local, nor small. Still, interested to hear more - drop me a PM?

[Chuck Buckles]

Find a Nissan Qashqai 2.0 CVT. Wife had ours for 10 years and it’s on 120K I think. She is no friend of the machine and never does anything  other than drive it. Serviced each year and it’s only needed consumables and 3 clock springs. 
loads of those under 3K. 
They are a bit thirsty as 2.0L and road tax keeps going up otherwise solid dependable motoring. 
 

[MrGTI6]

Would highly recommend a Nissan Note 1.6 auto. Straightforward chain-driven NA petrol engine, old-school torque-converter 'box, and generally owned by OAPs so tend to be looked-after (mechanically at least).

 

[Marm Toastsmith]

45 minutes ago, MrGTI6 said:

Would highly recommend a Nissan Note 1.6 auto. Straightforward chain-driven NA petrol engine, old-school torque-converter 'box, and generally owned by OAPs so tend to be looked-after (mechanically at least).

 

Yeah, one of these would be ideal I think. 

[LightBulbFun]

11 hours ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

Not exactly a shite purchase, but I'm finding that locally anything much below this price appears to be fairly shit. Mrs T is looking for a new runabout - something that's got a few years left in it and will be low hassle to own.

Wish list:

• 5 doors, 5 seats
• Petrol (or possibly hybrid)
• Lowish mileage and/or evidence of being well maintained
• Definite bonus points for being Japanese and within, say, 100 miles of Devon.

I'd hope this is not impossible. I'm seeing stuff advertised locally but at the price it all seems either a little bit too old, high miles, or rusty to be worth the money.

There's a degree of open mindedness to the search but it's not yet desperate so we're trying to wait for the right thing to turn up.

We were very tempted that convertible Merc on here but 4 seats and being in Norfolk (and nowhere near a train station) counted against it. Similarly the Volvo C30 appeals but it's not ideal for carrying kids and that's what it's going to get used for - but if it was down the road we'd probably have bought it already. Diesels are a no no but otherwise try me. Slightly scruffy is OK but nothing in danger of needing welding repairs any time soon.

https://autoshite.com/topic/54311-1995-rover-416sli-auto-weeb-spec-£600-or-swaps/?tab=comments#comment-2780359

it is currently *very* Japanese... 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

On 6/12/2023 at 1:15 PM, Marm Toastsmith said:

Not exactly a shite purchase, but I'm finding that locally anything much below this price appears to be fairly shit. Mrs T is looking for a new runabout - something that's got a few years left in it and will be low hassle to own.

Wish list:

• 5 doors, 5 seats
• Petrol (or possibly hybrid)
• Lowish mileage and/or evidence of being well maintained
• Definite bonus points for being Japanese and within, say, 100 miles of Devon.

I'd hope this is not impossible. I'm seeing stuff advertised locally but at the price it all seems either a little bit too old, high miles, or rusty to be worth the money.

There's a degree of open mindedness to the search but it's not yet desperate so we're trying to wait for the right thing to turn up.

We were very tempted that convertible Merc on here but 4 seats and being in Norfolk (and nowhere near a train station) counted against it. Similarly the Volvo C30 appeals but it's not ideal for carrying kids and that's what it's going to get used for - but if it was down the road we'd probably have bought it already. Diesels are a no no but otherwise try me. Slightly scruffy is OK but nothing in danger of needing welding repairs any time soon.

Just to throw a spanner in the works, we’re probably coming down to Plymouth at the weekend to buy @bigstraight6’s SLK , which is to be a replacement for aforesaid unsuitable Volvo…

How many kids do you have? It’s only got 2 rear belts. I even washed it today , might try and G3 it tomorrow, it’ll still have some scratches, just some of them might be hidden a bit.

[Marm Toastsmith]

2 hours ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

Just to throw a spanner in the works, we’re probably coming down to Plymouth at the weekend to buy @bigstraight6’s SLK , which is to be a replacement for aforesaid unsuitable Volvo…

How many kids do you have? It’s only got 2 rear belts. I even washed it today , might try and G3 it tomorrow, it’ll still have some scratches, just some of them might be hidden a bit.

Thankfully only 2 kids. Sometimes it's useful to have an extra belt for carrying other people's kids, grandmothers, etc. But she hasn't managed to find anything better yet... I'll send you a PM.

[Marm Toastsmith]

Wish me luck.

 

edit: poo count=1

[sutty2006]

Good luck, which ever route you choose to follow*
 

 

 

*get delayed at. 

[Marm Toastsmith]

Haha. So far 4 mins delay leaving but am on the way now. Direct train most of the way so fingers crossed. 

[vaughant]

18 minutes ago, sutty2006 said:

Good luck, which ever route you choose to follow*
 

 

 

*get delayed at. 

This seems familiar 😂

[vaughant]

13 minutes ago, Marm Toastsmith said:

Haha. So far 4 mins delay leaving but am on the way now. Direct train most of the way so fingers crossed. 

4 mins?

Lucky for some 🤭🤭

[Marm Toastsmith]

Castle Cary busyish with Glasto travellers. Wondering if the A303 is best avoided on the way home.

 

[Marm Toastsmith]

So what am I collecting.

• It's smallish I suppose. Not small, but not huge.
• It's an automatic.
• It's less than £3k. Quite a bit less.

Ticks half of the other boxes.

Success? We'll see...

 

[Marm Toastsmith]

14 mins delay so far.

[Marm Toastsmith]

[Marm Toastsmith]

[jollyfkr2]

God’s own station

[Marm Toastsmith]

[gadgetgricey]

Knew I'd seen that somewhere before. 32K - £750. Sunroof, Air Con Leather.
Never looked in detail at the ad, but looks like a real bargain.
One make Car Forums for the win.

[Marm Toastsmith]

Forgot to get a pez shot!

[yes oui si]

1 hour ago, MrGTI6 said:

Excellent choice! I do like the S40/V40. Always fancied a T4. 

There's a pale yellow v40 locally that I really really want. 

[wuvvum]

These are a decent car, if slightly lacking in carisma.  I've had three, including a T4 which unfortunately seemed down on power - I'd love to try one that was running properly.

[hairnet]

On 6/12/2023 at 10:09 PM, MrGTI6 said:

Would highly recommend a Nissan Note 1.6 auto. Straightforward chain-driven NA petrol engine, old-school torque-converter 'box, and generally owned by OAPs so tend to be looked-after (mechanically at least).

 

this

beasted one in southern canada northern usa for a week and was fine

expecting comfort issues but no

 

[MrGTI6]

20 minutes ago, wuvvum said:

These are a decent car, if slightly lacking in carisma.  

I see what you did there!