• Summary

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What does this car say about you?

    That I'm dull and have one foot in the grave?

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    It's a Volvo - I should be in slippers with a pipe

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    No - parts are too expensive and the problems have tarnished my view of Volvo

    What are you likely to buy next?

    What I should have bought all along - A Skoda Octavia vRS diesel

  • Buying experience

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Independent

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £9,896

    When did you buy the car?

    March 2010

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    Yes - cheaper than I expected

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    Looked like a good deal in the show room

    What was the dealer like?

    Very helpful with good operations management, lean process and good flow.

  • Driving it

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What's it like to drive?

    The sport version is so hard and harsh it's not pleasant at all. Minor bumps are like major potholes. It holds the road well and is quite pokey but the hard ride spoils it.

    What's it like to park?

    Easy.

  • Living with it

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    Loads! Wrong size tyres fitted. Changed by dealer after 2 months of letters etc. Door pillar looms changed. Latest issue is it refuses to start in the mornings, sometimes needing to be turned over 30 times before the engine held. New ECU diagnosed at over £1K fitted after Volvo had already burnt £400 of my cash investigating the flaw.

    What's most practical about your car?

    Heated seats and cruise control

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    As above. Heated seats are wonderful on cold mornings.