Another swap for Astra

[Station]

Been offered a proper possible swap this time for my Astra, once he clears it with the missus. I'll probably bottle out at the last minute again, or the seller will forget about it or something.

I don't think I need any reasons not to, it's a Volvo 850 estate 2.5 turbo AWD, 91k on the clock with full service history. Not sure of the year though (pre 97 I think), or whether it's diesel or petrol?

Are these any good? I can't see any cons on owning one of these, they look pretty timeless in their styling as well.

[AXrescuer]

They're thirsty thirsty very very thirsty, they're very thirsty!

 

Keep the Astra - Keep the faith!

[eddyramrod]

The only thing I can see wrong with it is it's modern and FWD, so go for it, it has to be a step up! (OK, I know, that was two things...)

[dollywobbler]

Warbling five pot with lots of pace? As long as it isn't a thrashed nail, sounds good to me.

[pogweasel]

The only thing I can see wrong with it is it's modern and FWD

RONG.

AWD

Don't these grenade the transmission if the front & rear tyres wear at different rates??

[eddyramrod]

Oops, sorry, failed to spot that. Anyway, it's still the FWD layout, with a drive to the rear added-on. WRONG! Especially in a car that size, RWD needs to be the default. Even more so with a Volvo, as it IS going to be towing horseboxes, caravans, trailers loaded with old BMWs, etc etc... AWD seems to me an expensive compromise, but worth having if you need to go off-road or drive in hostile conditions.

[Pillock]

AWD is a bonus - I went in a fed-spec T5 and it was just a tyre disposal machine, planting it on a dry road in third would spin for a good distance. However just check on a Volvo forum that the AWD system doesn't suffer from any horrible faults like Pog says - Cavaliers and Calibras are known for winding the gearbox up into a little ball if you dare to go round a roundabout, or put a new tyre on. What system is the Volvo?

 

Engines are a cracker and you'll love the amount of shit you can throw in the back. On the downside, expect mid-20s MPG tops, and you'll be expected to do tip runs and help people move every weekend.

[garethj]

Hasn't scooter on here got one?

 

I love the 850s, but SWMBO says they're ugly so we got an S80 instead. Even with huge mileages, old Volvos seem to fetch strong money

[r.welfare]

Provided it's not a complete nail I'd say it's worth the swap, as it's probably going to be a better resale proposition than the Astra TBH.

[Lankytim]

Apparently these cars dont have a centre diff, so all the tyres need to have the same amount of wear to keep the diameter the same. If you replace one tyre it borks the gearbox, or something. Basically if you have a blowout you need to replace all the tyres, not just one.

[Pete-M]

850 AWD LPTs are ace. Do it.

 

when you look at it, make sure it's nice and warm and then lift the dipstick with the engine running. If it's smoking like a chimney then the breathers are blocked, a common problem, and an inlet manifold off job to replace. Couple of hours work normally, if it's been like that for a while then the crank oil seal often pops and pukes oil everywhere. It can also lead to premature engine disaster and clutch death if it's a manual.

 

Cambelt is due at 70k, takes a couple of hours to do.

 

Other than that, they tend to be rather nice cars and nowhere as near as bad on fuel as someone said earlier. I used to get 23 mpg round town in my T5 auto estate (2wd) and 34 on a run.

 

Rattles from the wheels when it's rolling will be because someone has fitted non-Volvo brake pads to it. Lightly touching the brake will shut 'em up for a few seconds. Handbrakes tend to be crap.

 

They do handle a lot better than the 2wd ones, and a really worthwhile improvement is to get a genuine Volvo strut brace. They're about £75 from Volvo.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I only have a vague knowledge of both these cars but my gut feeling is it almost sounds too good to be true, get on it!

[garethj]

Apparently these cars dont have a centre diff, so all the tyres need to have the same amount of wear to keep the diameter the same. If you replace one tyre it borks the gearbox, or something. Basically if you have a blowout you need to replace all the tyres, not just one.

I don't believe that? Google says:

With All Wheel Drive, the 850's flexibility reaches new heights. When you're regularly faced with driving in ice, snow and rain, a car with exceptional grip becomes an absolute necessity. The Volvo 850 All Wheel Drive estate provides the security, control and balanced power to deal comfortably with the most challenging and treacherous road conditions. The 850 AWD uses advanced viscous coupling technology to permanently drive all four wheels. Volvo's traction control system, TRACS, mediates power to the front wheels, ensuring grip when pulling away. A limited slip differential acts on the rear wheels. The viscous coupling allows up to 95% of power to be transferred between front and rear wheels to provide maximum grip. The 850 AWD literally reads the road's condition and responds to it. A new 2.5 Iitre 20 valve petrol engine, with a manual gearbox, uses a light pressure turbo to develop 193 hp. Since maximum torque is produced at just 1800 rpm, the AWD offers effortless performance.

Sounds great, and bound to be worth more than an Astra unless it's completely knackered. Possible worth more than the Astra even then...

 

Why does he want to swap, is the only alarm bell ringing

[eddyramrod]

I love the 850s, but SWMBO says they're ugly so we got an S80 instead. Even with huge mileages, old Volvos seem to fetch strong money

Two points: 1) an 850 is ugly but an S80 is acceptable? Who is this person? 2) the only time old Volvos fetch strong money is when you're looking to buy one. Guaranteed. Most especially, if you want to sell: nah mate, it's old and big, can't give these things away...

[Volksy]

I had a 850 Estate, and it was great. I must say one of the best cars I've ever owned. I now have a S70 2.5T and it's pretty good too, not quite as versatile as the estate was.

But they're fast, comfy, and can, if maintained do vast mileages.

[Gompo]

I reckon it would be a good exchange, even if you dont get on with it I'd imagine it'd be a lot easier to move on than the Astra if you know what I mean.

 

The incredibly odd electrician at my place of work had one for a short while but got rid due to the high fuel consumption, and got the diesel version instead.

[Cavcraft]

They're thirsty thirsty very very thirsty, they're very thirsty!

 

Keep the Astra - Keep the faith!

+ about 200 million. I do like Volvos and what not but honestly you're asking for trouble there Dave. On top of that they have all the second hand appeal of a white dog turd and are about as eay to get rid of as a pork chop at a Jewish wedding.

[Station]

Here's some pics. I'm tempted, I really am, I do like these:

 

 

 

 

[Pete-M]

Looks alright. Was it owned by a fat bastard? Mine had 126k on the clock and the seats were mint.

 

Did you do the dirty deed then?

[Cavcraft]

I reckon it would be a good exchange, even if you dont get on with it I'd imagine it'd be a lot easier to move on than the Astra if you know what I mean.

 

 

It'd probably be easier to get rid of Osama Bin Laden and Aids than that Volvo.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

nonsense

[Pete-M]

I don't see any reason for that Volvo being a problem to sell if Station doesn't like it.

 

Volvo make bloody good estate cars, the 2.5 LPT is the engine most suited to them and a big 4x4 estate will always be sought after.

 

It'll be a bit juicy in town, but it's nigh on 200 bhp so that's a given. It'll be supremely comfy, excellent on the motorway, and it won't suffer from the torque steer of a 2wd one.

 

Much better having that than a dead Astra

[pogweasel]

Astras R teh best car of eVar and all other cars are rubbarsh & ghey

O RLY

Here we go again for round # 8676 of Cavette vs the people...

[garethj]

The only question is, why doesn't the owner of the Volvo want to sell it? Why swap for an Astra?

[Pete-M]

Probably the fuel. He might be a secret Vauxhall apologist (there must be more than just Billy), maybe his wife / girlfriend / gay lover thinks the Volvo is too big. Maybe his dog died, or his caravan has been nicked. Maybe he's under the illusion that a dead Astra is worth having? He possibly thinks that the Astra has street cred which is otherwise missing from his life.

 

Who knows, or indeed cares? If the Volvo is as good as it looks, swap!

[Station]

Much better having that than a dead Astra

Astra is alive and well! I put a V6 in it.

[Cavcraft]

Hey, I've had a few Volvos and liked them. In my experience though they're something of a fucker to sell on and I'd imagine a 4x4 will be even worse.

Obv. that's also based on the fact the Astra is now running.

Maybe Pete likes Volvos so he can keep all his stolen wheeltrims in the back?

[Owain-328i]

Why is there even a decision to make here? big volvos, especially turbo estates are excellent, and theres always a market for them, no trouble to shift them on. Get on it, big time

[Mr_Bo11ox]

do the swap or hand yourself in to the DFR's

[Cavcraft]

Astras R teh best car of eVar and all other cars are rubbarsh & ghey

O RLY

Here we go again for round # 8676 of Cavette vs the people...