jamesinc

Welcome to Oz Volvo!

Sounds like the XC70 left a good impression. I do find on some of the newer auto boxes have annoying controllers. When starting from a standstill, the car wants to have a bit of a think about it and then decide between crawling away or chirping the tyres with very little in between.

Yeah so I don't know exactly what mine has. It's a 2012 and I understand that up to 2015 they're considered to be, as Michael said, "powershit", but I have found that as long as I don't FLOOR it, I can still use about 60-70% throttle and it feels like you're being pressed back into your chair. It's not tyre chirping and it's not unresponsive, so I dunno... Not claiming my car is special or anything but I don't find standing starts to be a problem. Having said that, the only other decent auto I've driven is my 08 diesel XC70 - all other cars I've had have been manual or old 4 speed autos (I think my first auto was actually a 3 speed).

I dragged a car off some lights that are effectively on a freeway (yeah, cos Wollongong has that) and was actually a bit shocked by how quickly it got up to the speed limit and I had to back off. But when I floor it, the car definitely isn't as quick, and does that "think about it" thing you mentioned.

BTW, I had to take a photo of the badge for another project I'm working on and it came out OK so here it is:

    The SVM badge looks like it’s Scuderia Veloce Motors.

      Dewolf

      The SVM badge looks like it’s Scuderia Veloce Motors.

      Yeah I guess so... but that doesn't actually mean anything does it? I was under the impression that this just meant it was from the Lindfield Volvo Dealership and that SVM thought it would be cool to put badges on some cars.

        16 days later

        How does the S40 go with fuel economy compared to the Mazda3, and is it good for a taller driver, with someone behind them?

          bumperplates

          How does the S40 go with fuel economy compared to the Mazda3, and is it good for a taller driver, with someone behind them?

          Average for a tall driver, wouldn't be room for adult behind comfortably.

            bumperplates

            How does the S40 go with fuel economy compared to the Mazda3, and is it good for a taller driver, with someone behind them?

            Yeah in that regard the Mazda 3 and the S40 are about the same. I am bang on 6 feet (183cm) and in some cars I have my seat all the way back, but in the S40 it's a little bit forward of the furtherst setting. But with me driving there really isn't room for my 11 year old behind me, so we put the baby seat and our 2 year old on that side (which also has the advantage of allowing the larger section of the back seat to fold down if needed). The 2 year old can then EASILY put his feet on my seat, which means I'm often removing his shoes so as not to get the leather dirty.

            Basically, the back seats are not entirely useless like they are in say, a BRZ or most 2 door RWD cars, but the S40 would absolutely not be my choice for a family. It would be a 60 minimum (S, V or XC) and probably 70 or 80 if that was its main purpose.

            Fuel economy... erm, the S40 is bit worse but that's not really apples and apples. It's heavier (heavier panels, safer), has a bigger engine and is automatic (the 3 was 6 speed manual). On the highway they're so close you'd have to properly test to be sure which was more econimic, but in town I think the 3 has it, but that may be just because I drive the Volvo with a bit more vroom.

                Svenskan

                https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/210838#Comment_210838

                Yeah in that regard the Mazda 3 and the S40 are about the same. I am bang on 6 feet (183cm) and in some cars I have my seat all the way back, but in the S40 it's a little bit forward of the furtherst setting. But with me driving there really isn't room for my 11 year old behind me, so we put the baby seat and our 2 year old on that side (which also has the advantage of allowing the larger section of the back seat to fold down if needed). The 2 year old can then EASILY put his feet on my seat, which means I'm often removing his shoes so as not to get the leather dirty.

                Basically, the back seats are not entirely useless like they are in say, a BRZ or most 2 door RWD cars, but the S40 would absolutely not be my choice for a family. It would be a 60 minimum (S, V or XC) and probably 70 or 80 if that was its main purpose.

                Fuel economy... erm, the S40 is bit worse but that's not really apples and apples. It's heavier (heavier panels, safer), has a bigger engine and is automatic (the 3 was 6 speed manual). On the highway they're so close you'd have to properly test to be sure which was more econimic, but in town I think the 3 has it, but that may be just because I drive the Volvo with a bit more vroom.

                I agree size wise, my V60 however I would not use for one or two children, a pram is going to take all theboot space. Only just enough room in back seat. I'd call it a smõll càr really.

                    Ex850R

                    https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/210901#Comment_210901

                    I agree size wise, my V60 however I would not use for one or two children, a pram is going to take all theboot space. Only just enough room in back seat. I'd call it a smõll càr really.

                    Yeah a V60 would be pushing it, I agree. I would be OK with it if we only had the toddler because yes a lot of boot space is taken up by the pram but then you've got 2/3rds of the backseat too. I mean, our first child was born and got all the way to 8 years old with us just owning a Suzuki Swift... so anything is doable (no Daihatsu Copen jokes thanks), but yeah, ideally a 70 or 80 for a family.

                    My wife has a thing against sedans though. She (somewhat correctly) thinks that the same amount of space isn't as usable in a sedan as it is in a wagon, so she flatly refused when I floated the idea of an S80. She would sooner go with a V60, even though I'm very sure that an S80 has a lot more room.

                    The S40 is my car because I like cars, while our Kia Carnival is because we all like space.

                        Svenskan

                        https://ozvolvo.org/discussion/comment/210902#Comment_210902

                        Yeah a V60 would be pushing it, I agree. I would be OK with it if we only had the toddler because yes a lot of boot space is taken up by the pram but then you've got 2/3rds of the backseat too. I mean, our first child was born and got all the way to 8 years old with us just owning a Suzuki Swift... so anything is doable (no Daihatsu Copen jokes thanks), but yeah, ideally a 70 or 80 for a family.

                        My wife has a thing against sedans though. She (somewhat correctly) thinks that the same amount of space isn't as usable in a sedan as it is in a wagon, so she flatly refused when I floated the idea of an S80. She would sooner go with a V60, even though I'm very sure that an S80 has a lot more room.

                        The S40 is my car because I like cars, while our Kia Carnival is because we all like space.

                        S80 much better than v60 , like a Falcon.!

                        So therefore V70 better again.....

                          Thanks all! Ill have to check out these great recommendations!

                          Im currently driving a Mazda3 as the second car (on loan), and was trying to find something similar in the Volvo family whilst still being economical.

                            bumperplates

                            Thanks all! Ill have to check out these great recommendations!

                            Im currently driving a Mazda3 as the second car (on loan), and was trying to find something similar in the Volvo family whilst still being economical.

                            XC/ V70 D5

                              Thanks Snoopy! Would the Diesel still be good for shorter trips, or does it need long/highway use?

                              Don't buy a diesel for short trips. You'll kill it. Also don't buy one that has been used mainly for short trips in the past for the same reason - you're buying someone else's problems. That's the mistake I made - a low km V50 D5 that in hindsight I believe spent most of its time doing short trips. The engine had issues no-one could ever sort out and all recommended I ditch it, which I did. It wasn't the only low km diesel doing the rounds of the workshops when I had mine either. So if you're doing mainly local trips petrol only.

                              Thanks Chris! I guess we had the same idea, but maybe in hindsight the extra you pay in fuel, may go into cost savings to the maintenance of the car. Otherwise, I guess I may have to keep the Mazda3 for longer!

                              Missus drives the S80D5 2008 we got at 80K km or so from ACT .

                              Done 120 odd K now and when we got it had the EGR cleaned out , swirl flap actuator arm replaced and reset .

                              EGR was not bad with coke/oil.

                              Only use BP from the same petrol bowser all the time.

                              She drives it like she stole it.

                              She drives to the city from Williamstown to work so majority city traffic and NO ISSUES , dont fall for the "short trips" scenario . all it takes is once a month a run on fwy to get a DPF burn/EGR clean out going , low soot oil regularly changes and its fine.

                              I prefer the T6 as its more instant power and AWD and doesnt stink with the window down at lights ( never understand why diesel is ever a fuel for CARS myself.........)

                              Chris certainly had a bad D5 and if not looked after , like ANY modern engines , they BITE YOU.

                              Yeah I guess if you can drive it right and guarantee some longer runs it could be okay but if you can't then petrol is going to be safer. For many people it's too inconvenient.

                              As I said mine wasn't the only troubled D5. John at Voldat had one in at the same time as mine that had let go the bottom end at 50,000 ks. And there were others they all told me about. I went to all the usual eastern suburbs Indies and none had great love for the D5 and Steve frankly hated my car, lol.

                              When I was talking to Mark at Berry about an engine swap (they were the only Indy that had any real will to resolve it) they told me they had issues getting D5 engines because there was strong competition for them and the wrecks were costing too much. A good one came up when I was prepared to do it but John beat me to it for that other D5. After a few months of waiting I gave up and bought the 5 gen Liberty. One of the best car decisions I have made.

                              I've had two euro diesels now and I don't think I'd get another. They're great for some people, but mainly folks with good mechanical skills since my experience with local knowledge and willingness to repair wasn't great

                              9 days later

                              How did the Liberty Gen 5 interior/seats compare to the S80?

                              Is there also an S40 that has similar seating to the older XC90 2011 Rdesign?

                              The Gen 5 I had was a base model so no lumbar etc. In that case the Volvo would be better. I can't say for the Premium or 3.6R though as they were electric with lumbar support.

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