I haven't done a non-volvo project for a while but thought I'd pop up a bit of detail about my newly acquired VE SV6 wagon.
Having a relatively new addition to the family, I was keen on something new/newer with more airbags and all that sort of thing, something I wouldn't have to think much about for the next couple of years.

I debated a few things, had opportunity to pick up some amazing pricing on a new FG XR6 ute, but that began to look like less of a good idea when it would have meant that I'd need to swap cars around in the event I'd need to do daycare drop-offs and pick-ups.

I thought about some kooler stuff like a VW Transporter, Renault Trafic etc but didn't really know what I wanted to do.
I didn't want to tow a trailer with an FWD volvo (otherwise a V50 might have fit the bill), and there's good chance I'd do some towing.

I kept coming back to the rather unexciting prospect of something local. The VZ commodore wagon I've had for the last bit-over-three-years has been good* but doesn't have side airbags, etc.

I couldn't quite justify the cost of a new VF SV6 or SS wagon at the moment, we bought a new Nissan XTrail for my wife last year, so there isn't the 'need' for two new cars in the driveway.

The preference was for a 2011 onward SV6 with SIDI engine, 6spd auto, less than 80k, new touch screen dash, facelifted front bodywork etc. I didn't want black, green or red.
I found a few, but by the time I could go in to check them out, they were gone.

So, I stumbled across the car I've ended up with by accident. It's a 2009 MY9.5 model, with 5spd auto. It was a one-owner car, cosmetically knocked around, some neat options fitted when new. It's black. The basics were kinda there and it cost significantly less than what I had expected to spend.

It arrived in all it's disgusting glory, on the back of a truck from NSW on Thursday. We gave it a quick service and it'll go in for a RWC check on wednesday.

The list of factory fitted kool stuff is -
* HSVi 'Fluxus' 20x8 wheels
* 2100kg towbar
* Reverse sensors and camera
* Full size spare wheel
* Tinted windows (dealer)

It has had Pedders lowered springs in it with short stroke shocks.
I don't like Pedders stuff in anything, but the ride in this is really good and it handles well for such a big car (Seriously kids, this doesn't mean Pedders stuff is not complete garbage in your Volvo).









It needs a repair in the RR quarter, RR door, LR door, RH skirt and a new front bar.



The interior needs (needed) a massive clean and some broken plastic stuff replaced.



I think wild animals may have been mating on the backseat.
A really good scrub only got this marginally better.

So far, I've done the following -
* Safety check
* Basic service
* Removed the motorcross stickers from the back window
* Given the interior a good scrub (since the pics), thrown the floor mats in the bin and replaced with new ones.

Next up -
* Get the thing through RWC
* Replace steering wheel (on order)
* Replace shifter knob/handle
* Refit rear badges
* Paint and fit new front bar
* Paint and refit RH skirt
* Replace rear wiper (ebay, $11. bargain!)
* Fit locknuts
* Strip and refinish wheels
* Bodywork repairs

This will only be a short project, I need to get back to the V70!

OMG the rear seats....!!!!

How many KM and how much?

Also... OMG the black looks bad with the dirt on it....
Though to note the Blue one i've got as a rental looks equaly bad with some dirt on it

With the lowered springs... is it still above 100mm?
I like em, would have one if i was after an Australian car. Your V70 is better though :)
Philia_Bear;34754 wroteOMG the rear seats....!!!!
Yup, they're indeed horrendous. Fronts arent much better but seem to be more photogenic.
I've used Auto-glym product on them, a Sonax product, a Maguires product, an Armorall product and Goof-off (strong acetone base) and they're not getting much better.

I bought a series 2 sedan cloth interior early this evening from a 2013 VE SV6 with 7k on it.
I wont be able to use the rear seat but might be able to take it to a trimmer and have them modify the sedan seat skin to fit the wagon cushions. Not sure. I may simply find a good S2 wagon rear seat to match.
Philia_Bear;34754 wrote How many KM and how much?
160k
Lots more than I wanted but full service history and lots of highway driving.
The car was cheap enough that I'm happy to spend a bit on it and be confident that what I'll end up with will have cost a lot less than the local cars that kept disappearing before I got to check them out myself.
Philia_Bear;34754 wrote Also... OMG the black looks bad with the dirt on it....
Though to note the Blue one i've got as a rental looks equaly bad with some dirt on it
Typical black car. Looks awesome when clean and well kept, looks like arse when just a little dirty.
Philia_Bear;34754 wrote With the lowered springs... is it still above 100mm?
[/quote]
I havent measured it. The wheels probably make it look lower than it is.

Rob;34756 wroteI like em, would have one if i was after an Australian car. Your V70 is better though :)
I still prefer the V70 too. This'll serve me well as an 'appliance car' though.
Wow. Must have been under 10k for that much filth. Though being a car that has motocross stickers most of them aren't the cleanest guys. A big dog would have ruined that seat.

I've found that pedders isn't bad on commodores too. More local tuning and spending does help!
Indeed animals on seat , its the portable rootn perch when in St Kilda or The Cross.

That's those stains , no they won't cum out either.
Like the look , love the new ones look but , yours will be a clean machine soon enough no doubt!
Congrats on a bargain!
I like it, looks a.lot better than.the insignia/vectras we get here
Did the RWC check today
List is nice and short -

* wiper blades
* front bar not secured well enough on the right hand side.
* front seat side trims not secure
* RH brake light globe

I'd kinda hoped they wouldnt pick on the front bar. I have a new bar being painted and didnt want to waste (typically) single use scrivets on a bar that is coming off in the next few days.

Seat side trims, I didnt expect they'd be a RWC item. Odd, but no problem - I am picking up another interior tomorrow.

It's booked in again for its final check on Friday morning. Hopefully Vicroads inspection and rego on friday afternoon.
Interior is never going to win a beauty contest that red insert hmm...
What was holden thinking?
nickm;34958 wroteInterior is never going to win a beauty contest that red insert hmm...
What was holden thinking?
Agreed. They weren't thinking at all
I'm picking up an interior tomorrow from a 2013 VE (very late VE) SV6. It's charcoal and lighter grey. Seats have different bolster design, etc.
The car they're coming from had 7k kms on it. The red will be gone soon enough.


OK...still not alcantara and leather but I'll let it trough to the keeper :)
Holden and Ford don't do leather interiors well though.

Today, we smashed through the RWC items and got a little bit more of the work done on the thing.

* Brand new genuine Holden front inner guard liners
* Fixed the front bar (frustrating as the new bar will be back from painting in the next couple of days)
* Fitted new front seats. ex 2013 VEII SV6 (with non broken seat side trims)
* Fitted the rear wiper (was previously missing)
* Fitted new wiper blades
* Replaced the RHR brake light globe (bloody annoying to do on a VE wagon)
* Fitted new console lid. ex 2013 VEII SV6
* Fitted 3 new doortrims. ex 2013 VEII SV6 (ran out of time to do the RR one)

It'll go in for its RWC in the morning.
RWC is done. Rego this afternoon.
No Vicroads appts available in Geelong, Colac, Werribee or sunshine, so I'm off to Ballarat.
Here's a pic with new front seats and mats in place, interior has had a good scrub but it needs another. I haven't started on the outside yet.

Registered and all good.
I can take my time with the rest of it now. :)
Back to the V70 tomorrow.
I'll look at the VE again in the next week or so -
Still have to swap steering wheels over, swap the shift lever and fit the RR replacement doortrim.
that looks far better