Volvo 740 or Ford Cortina?

[danthecapriman]

Hi, im after some advice from like minded people so here goes,

 

I currently have a Volvo 740, its an E reg saloon, 2.3 and its a GLE with leather, heated seats etc etc. Its a lovely car and in the five years ive owned it hasnt missed a beat. The problem im now facing is that my real passion is old Fords! I have three old Fords already and use the Volvo as a run around, long distance runner and its also good for winter as the salt and crap on the roads dont seem to affect it like the old Fords!

The volvo is totally reliable, really nice to drive, comfortable, not too bad on fuel, the body and paint are nice and I trust it 100% if I ever need to go long distance it wont cause me any trouble. Also ive done alot of work on it to keep it in top condition, full brake rebuild, new paint on roof (peeling laquer), overhauled and cleaned out breathers etc etc. Alot of time and money have gone into its upkeep.

However, I dont really need it anymore. I have a van for work that my employer pays for (fuel too) and, like all my cars I just have them because I want them! It is good to have something just incase though. I dont even have to commute to/from work as the work van comes home with me.

 

My problem, is that ive always wanted a mk4 or 5 Cortina but never actually owned one. There was a nice green 2.0 crusader near where I live that was for sale a few years back, I wanted it but didnt have space at the time, eventually it went and ive been kicking myself ever since!

I love the shape and style of them and it would sit well with my other old Fords! Ive looked for nice ones on and off for years and always stopped myself getting one. Prices are going up as they get older and rarer and id like to get one before they go like escorts and become unaffordable!

The ideal car for me would be a mk5 (80) crusader saloon auto ideally, cos im so lazy! one of the last cortinas and there are some nice ones about at the moment. Im prepared to pay good money for a good car and want to avoid anything needing major work as im already working on my Granada and will be re-restoring my capri in the next year or so. I have plenty to be doing!

If I got one I would need to use it for similar things as the Volvo, this doesnt worry me as they are perfectly reliable enough, I dont mind working on them. The only thing that does worry me is winter use (road salt!).

That being said im sure there are still plenty of people still using them daily and have no problems.

 

The simple answer would be to keep the Volvo and buy a Cortina aswell, but ive been doing that with all my other Fords and now ive run out of space. If I do it again one car has got to go to make room for the new one! I really couldnt bring myself to sell the Granada, Capri or Transit so it will be the Volvo if I do it.

 

So, do I keep my reliable Volvo or sell it on and get a nice Cortina to (sort of) replace it?

[Pete-M]

I love Cortinas. They're great.

 

If you want something reliable, comfy, blah blah blah, keep the Volvo.

 

If you want something not quite as reliable, not quite as comfy, but more fun to drive, use the Cortina. Just make sure you get a void bush tool and a stock of 2.3 Estate void bushes for the back axle.

 

That 2.0 V6 Turbo one in Germany has got me mega-tempted. Bound to end in a world of pain, but it'd be a laugh.

[dollywobbler]

I found that the Volvo 740 feels a lot like a bigger Cortina, so can't predict too many problems for you. The Cortina probably has an interior made out of better plastic to be honest.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Cortinas don't really do anything for me (unless you could get a very late model Turkish Taunus or whatever it was called!) so I'd say go with the Volvo. But if you're a Ford person and you've always lusted after one, go for it...There's plenty of demand for old Fords, so I can't see any problem getting rid if you decide you don't like it.

[danthecapriman]

Thanks for the replies,

A cortina would be much more fun, and I still have my granada to get my 'fix' of big barge luxo motoring with.

 

If I sold my Volvo though, id really like it to go to a good home, I hate selling cars that ive put alot of time and cash into, only to see them abused and ruined by some twat! Just another stupid worry of mine!

 

I like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-Ford-Cortina ... 3a660646e0

Strong money though, and im not sure I could live with the colour Its tidy though.

 

This is not far from me:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-FORD-CORTINA ... 4cf788f5b0

Its perfect, perfect colour, spec the lot! But I suspect it will go for mega money.

[Negative Creep]

Ive had both and preferred the cortina. Whilst the volvo was comfier and had a far better heater, the cortina was quicker, more economical and nicer to drive

[Cavcraft]

Thanks for the replies,

A cortina would be much more fun, and I still have my granada to get my 'fix' of big barge luxo motoring with.

 

If I sold my Volvo though, id really like it to go to a good home, I hate selling cars that ive put alot of time and cash into, only to see them abused and ruined by some twat! Just another stupid worry of mine!

 

I like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-Ford-Cortina ... 3a660646e0

Strong money though, and im not sure I could live with the colour Its tidy though.

 

This is not far from me:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-FORD-CORTINA ... 4cf788f5b0

Its perfect, perfect colour, spec the lot! But I suspect it will go for mega money.

 

If you buy the first one you could get some insulation tape and change the number plate to FFS B01X.

 

Out of the two (Cortina and Volvo) I'd suggest it would depend on what sort of driving you do. If you do mostly long distance hauls then the Volvo would be your friend imho. There's nowt to say the Cortina isn't suitable either in that respect but in my experience the Volvos are nicer.

 

The Cortina is a more involving and rewarding drive though, you feel like you have to do something other than just sit there and bumble along. Also economy and future resale value are likely to be stronger. There's more character in the 'tina too but Volvos are very rewarding to own/drive.

[danthecapriman]

Out of the two (Cortina and Volvo) I'd suggest it would depend on what sort of driving you do. If you do mostly long distance hauls then the Volvo would be your friend imho. There's nowt to say the Cortina isn't suitable either in that respect but in my experience the Volvos are nicer.

 

Thats the thing I suppose. I did used to use the volvo for commuting etc but now I dont need a car for that having a company van. So the volvo just sits on the drive most of the time. Its great when I do occasionaly do a long run but thats not very often. Most of my driving now is either just for fun or fairly local stuff so I dont think that justifies the volvo really, as its not really the sort of car youd have for fun?!

Fuel economy isnt really of any concern to me to be honest, I just have what I like and pay the fuel bill!

[Bren]

I love cortina's, I suppose it all boils down to what you will use it for.

 

A cortina ain't going to be great on fuel (the last MK V we had did about 26mpg around town, and that was a 1600), they wallow a bit as well.

 

If you do take the plunge, as Pete says, consider the void bushes at the back, and if you can't weld, get friendly with someone who can, as it will eventually need a blast from a torch at some point.

 

I used to be of the opinion that if you owned a cortina you should be able to weld!

[Guest]

Cortina all the way ok so the mpg can be between 23-28mpg but a Vovo cant be much different. Quite reliable - nice drive - lots of parts and know how out there and no hassle selling it when you have finished with it. The bonus is if bought right and looked after you could even make money when you resell.

[dieselnutjob]

I don't much like Cortinas, but you do, so you should get one.

Life's too short to spend driving the wrong car

I'm sure a Cortina can be made reliable and rust proof

[Lord Sterling]

Hmmm, I guess if you look a bit like George Fourmile, work in an insurance office or something and like comfort and imaging yourself to be a board director from the 1980s then keep the Volvo, also, better the devil you know and all that... Though if you are (or pretend to be) a long-haired, long side-burned tyre-fitter with a moustache who listens to Status Quo, then the Cortina is the way to go.

 

Is there a way to keep the Volvo as well as having the the Cortina, maybe you could rent a lock-up and stash the Volvo there just in case the Cortina-caper doesnt turn out as you expect.

[danthecapriman]

Cheers for the replies.

I know a cortina will need more upkeep than the volvo, but its not a problem really. Ive done loads of welding and own all the required gear for that, I spent near enough a year welding my granada back together! The void bushes dont really bother me either, they are just a bit of a pain to do, but the mileage it will do will probably mean changing them wont be a regular thing.

 

I would ideally keep the volvo aswell since the money side of things isnt an issue, its just the space to keep them all, if I kept it and got a cortina that would make five cars to store!

 

Im finding this a hard decision because I dont really want to get rid of the volvo, unless its to someone who will look after it. And I really hate going through all the shit involved in selling cars - time wasters, idiots, people expecting a brand new car for banger money etc etc.

But I really want a cortina. If only I had that bit more space

[RobT]

I'd have a bit of overlap as Lord Sterling suggests, so if the Cortina doesn't live up to expectations you've still got the old 740 waiting in the wings. I'm in a similar predicament in so much that I want to get my Montego on the road again but can't justify having the 740 aswell - but seeing as the tax is paid up until September on the Volvo I may just leave it sitting on the street as backup (fortunately there is plenty of on-street parking around where I live).

[Shep Shepherd]

Funnily enough, one of the reasons why I bought a Volvo 740 was the fact that I completely failed to find a mark 5 Cortina which was both good and cheap...

[danthecapriman]

To be honest I think the days of picking a good cortina up cheap are long gone unfortunatly. Another reason I think now is the time to buy, as I can see values rising a fair bit over the next few years. I would be willing to pay good money for a good car though. I tend to keep cars for very long periods so if I spent alot on a good car id most probably be keeping it for ever! Ive had my capri for 11 years nearly!

 

I could easily keep the volvo on the street as theres loads of room but I can see it deteriorating out there, plus it would get vandalised, it did the last time it was out there and the last two vans I had for work did too! Its annoying because I live in a nice road but it gets used by piss heads, chavs and twats that totally fail to exercise any self control or decency, as a rat run to local pubs! I once heard a load of noise out on the street only to look out and see some chav standing on the roof of a high top transit I had for work, trying to steal a beacon light off it!! This happens yet cars on drives never get touched! So I definatly wont leave anything out there, not that that I care about anyway.

[Lord Sterling]

Dan, contact your local council about renting a lock-up to store your Volvo in. I absolutely refuse to sell my mk2 Rover Sterling and am renting a lock-up off a mate leaving me free to run other cars.

 

If your council are slow to act (Like Brum City Clowncil are) then try the next town, some councils wont let you register, some, like Telford are (or were) looking for people to rent thier newly refurbished garages.

[danthecapriman]

Thats a good idea, definatly worth trying. I did try years ago but didnt get far with it so gave up.

Cheers for the help.