VolvoSport - Shed content.

[Jason_E]

Since this is one of the only forums I bother looking at anymore, and just happens to have the largest collections of Volvos, I thought I'd share a full thread of my latest acquisition with you lot.

So if you look into my deepest, darkest history on here you'll see I have a Toyota GT86. And whilst its a great car, I wasn't enjoying my new commute in it. Besides the fact it isn't that great for long mileage, I also started associating the car with a boring daily drive rather than something fun to enjoy at the weekends.

So, enter this. £650 of Volvo. It's done 175k, is a 2.5 TDI with an Auto box, and just about everything works. The only issues I've discovered since picking it up last week are "meh" in my eyes: Faulty thermstat, so it runs cold. Noisy wheel bearing, and the fact it seems to have too much oil in it. I also seem to be doing only about 30-35mpg, although that may just be a rubbish trip computer as my calculations seem to give it a 45mpg average. But oh well! Serves its purpose, and its nice not having to refill the tank 3 times a week! (GT86 is fairly frugal, but has a shot glass for a fuel tank)

Anyway, here's it in all its glory.

Lolvo V70 by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Lolvo V70 by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Lolvo V70 by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Lolvo V70 by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

Lolvo V70 by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

So far I've managed to cobble together some old car audio stuff I had lying around in the garage, so now I have a radio with aux input. And thats about it really. Before anyone asks, the previous owner put the coilovers on it. I think it looks alright, but is rather bouncy.

So I'll probably use this thread to document its life. So if any of you out there want to get involved in some Shed-esque activities, you can use this thread as reference for "Reasons not to be so foolish".

As for the GT86, well I'm either going to keep it and sharpen it up a bit (Coilovers and the like, since I don't have to worry about every day comfort). Or maybe chop it in for something a lot more silly.

 

[Jekyll]

Are you going to go down @leeds_182 route?

 

[Jekyll]

Also, I miss seeing your car pics/photos threads.

 

[leeds_182]

Looks good this! I'm looking at an 850 auto myself at the moment.

Someone say banded steels?

 

[McGherkin]

Welcome to the dark side. Enjoy wafting.

Needs a BTCC livery for full hero points.

 

[bashracing]

cracking car and engine, needs tow bar for ultimate barge status

 

[182_steve]

Now that looks very smart, I mean for only £650 that's a mighty refined wagon for the daily duties! Looks a good spec too with the leather etc!

 

[Mr R.]

I have lots and lots of Volvo love, my wife drives a S60 D5 auto. :up:

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Tough choice and i see the appeal. I love multiple cars but I'd sooner have something better as an all rounder rather than driving a 20 year old car to work.

GT86 is more like a coupe alternative to a hot hatch rather than a weekend toy is it not?

 

[Ben]

Diesel Volvo friend, albeit mine being a lot less cool (and far more red).

 

[Jason_E]

Also, I miss seeing your car pics/photos threads.

Thanks dude! I've been slacking on the photos recently, not many excuses other than being busy! New job and more travelling haven't helped that.

Looks good this! I'm looking at an 850 auto myself at the moment.

Someone say banded steels?

Thanks! The temptation is too real.

Welcome to the dark side. Enjoy wafting.

Needs a BTCC livery for full hero points.

Such waft. Very wow. I actually suggested this to a friend! But it was the 850 that was TECHNICALLY the BTCC hero. But this is essentially identical underneith.

cracking car and engine, needs tow bar for ultimate barge status

Yeah but if it had a tow bar I'd end up buying something to tow, so it's probably best it doesn'y.

Now that looks very smart, I mean for only £650 that's a mighty refined wagon for the daily duties! Looks a good spec too with the leather etc!

Yes, electric leather heated armchairs FTW! Everything inside works too!

I have lots and lots of Volvo love, my wife drives a S60 D5 auto. :up:

Your wife has FANTASTIC taste.

Tough choice and i see the appeal. I love multiple cars but I'd sooner have something better as an all rounder rather than driving a 20 year old car to work.

GT86 is more like a coupe alternative to a hot hatch rather than a weekend toy is it not?

Yeah, I'm not too bothered about driving old beaters and I kind of get some sort of sick sadistic lust for them as well. It's also great having something I don't give two s***s about, for example I met the grit lorry every day last week on my drive home. I'd be screaming if that was in the Toyota!

The GT86 is brilliant in truth, but it's nowhere near as refined as a modern day hot hatch. It's closer to an old school hot hatch in that sense. The Volvo is much more relaxing to drive! Heated sofas up front and much less road/wind noise intrusion which is mighty impressive for a 20 ish year old car.

I also now appreciate the GT86 a lot more, and this weekend I just went out "for a drive". Which, when you're using it 8-10 hours a week for a monotonous drive, you dont do as much.

Diesel Volvo friend, albeit mine being a lot less cool (and far more red).

Probably a lot less ropey though.

 

[McGherkin]

It's close enough to pass for an 850, to the casual observer.

For maximum points carry a stuffed collie in the boot, to irritate your competitors.

 

[Scrooge]

Nice purchase!!

 

[Louis]

My mum loves volvos too.

 

[Jason_E]

Women love a Volvo. Practically have to peel them off it every time I go on a cruise.

 

[Christopher]

Looks sh*t. Is sh*t. You're sh*t. Die.

Nice car mate.

 

[Jason_E]

Looks sh*t. Is sh*t. You're sh*t. Die.

Nice car mate.

Say what you like, its done 176k and still on its first gearbox.

<3

 

[Louis]

We have an S40 sat on the driveway if you're interested. Although @leeds_182 is closer. Think the sills are pretty dodgy on it now but was very well looked after when it was on the road!

 

[Jason_E]

I definitely cant justify having two of these things! I think leeds can though..

 

[leeds_182]

There's enough for me!

 

[Jason_E]

I stopped off on the way to work to test my terrible parking skills, and whilst I turned around to admire said skills, I saw this.

I had no idea Volvos used this quick release mechanism, but I can't say I'm a fan. Luckily I work for one of the most cutting edge motorsport engineering companies in the world, so I duct taped it back on. However, on the way to work the duct tape failed me. The Indicator now belongs to the A43. Including the bulb holder and most of the wiring. RIP.

£13 thats cost me. This thing is almost moneypit status, what with the £10 I spent on a thermostat last month!

 

[MJRacing]

I see your shed and trump you with my shed bought last weekend. V70 2.4 litre of pure sweedish sex

 

[Euan94]

Unless instagram deceives me this is not the car you should be updating us about!

Terrible work with the duct tape, I didn't even know it was possible for it to fail as an engineering solution

 

[Jason_E]

Unless instagram deceives me this is not the car you should be updating us about!

Terrible work with the duct tape, I didn't even know it was possible for it to fail as an engineering solution

Don't worry, thats a'comin!

And yes, everything I thought I knew as an engineer turns out to be a LIE.

I see your shed and trump you with my shed bought last weekend. V70 2.4 litre of pure sweedish sex
View attachment 177864

YESSS! But its technically nicer than my shed, so you havent out-shed me .

 

[Jason_E]

Exciting update. I spent money on it! It now has a new wheel bearing, and my main man has managed to make the indicator work after its quick escape a month or two ago. The wheel bearing got so loud it was giving me a headache every day so I figured I should get it changed before I lost a wheel and ploughed through a bunch of school kids or something

Back to pretending absolutely nothing else needs fixing on it. Done a few thousand miles in it now. On my route to work its been averaging a wopping 36mpg, which isn't that great. I've been told the wheel bearing probably is a lot of fault, but also the fact I drive it like a t**t probably doesn't help. Have to say, I am actually quite fond of it. It feels like a faithful old labrador, no matter how many times I give it a good kicking it still loves me*.

*do not kick dogs its well mean.

 

[Jekyll]

It will be more faithful than the m3

 

[Jason_E]

It will be more faithful than the m3 :wink:

The M3 has warranty at least. The Volvos only warranty is the biggest hammer in my toolbox...

 

[Coops Mk1]

Lovely barge, I keep wanting a plush daily estate but part of me has the same dark streak of loving an old knacker to hack about in

 

[Jason_E]

Holy Polarisation batman

The Volvo by Jason.Easton, on Flickr

It had its first clean since I bought it! £8 well spent at the Brexit wash, she comes up lovely. Then used it to visit a safari park for fear of rabid monkeys ripping my BMW to shreds. No exotic animals touched the Volvo in the end, probably have learned well that these cars dont pull apart easily. (Except indicators, evidently).

MOT this month is the real reason for the clean! In the same way you used to tidy your room as a kid in the hopes your mum wouldn't noticed you'd smashed her favourite vase, I'm hoping a less murky looking exterior will help Mr MOT man overlook some of its shortcomings.

I do keep looking at other more sensible dailies, since this isn't that great on Diesel. However, I have got quite attached to this barge! Hate to say it, but I'm the type of person who thinks any car can have character. This definitely has something!

 

[leeds_182]

Looks Great!