Sold the Volvo :(

Its gone, its gone

A fully upgraded silver S70 GLT with the right rims was truly one of
the most aesthetic car in its class. Even 6 yrs on after it stopped
production, it looked better than most other 'new' cars out there.
What a beauty.

It was somewhat underpowered with its 195 horsepower (compared to the
250hp Accura TLs of today) but its turbo charged engine always
delivered that boost when needed. It has excellent road feel not like
cars today where you step on the gas and don't know if you are doing 20
or 80. It sat low... lower than most cars and that made it easy to
climb in and out. Most of all the seats were comfortable... very
comfortable. It was like sitting in a cockpit and flying a plane. I
liked to sllooowly cruise to a stop and let the by-standers just drool
at the power, good looks and weight of the car.

It wasn't a pretentious brand the Volvo. It stuck to its core which
was 'safety' and injected style. Not like other brands of cars which
try to be everything and end up being nothing or lost in the pack. I
strongly object to volvo making its cars look more and more 'egg'
shaped like so many Japanese cars. Keep the boxy look - that's the
car's signature! That's what makes heads turn.

I'm sad to see it go. Real sad. Truly the best car of my life.

I also liked Volvo's advertisement where survivors of car crashes say
".. one car saved my life"...one after another... and it ends off with
....."and that car was a Volvo".. followed by the words "Volvo for
life". That was just too cool and made me proud to own a Volvo.

 

Alright I'll bite, why did you sell it then?

 

I disagree about Volvo's strategy to "change" styling. Only the 700 series
started the boxy image. All the other cars (including the 240) had curves
that are still relevant today. Look at the rear of a current V70 and 240
Wagon... there is a hint of similar profile.

The P1800 was not boxy.

All of the earliest cars were unique, and had interesting style.

I think the current Volvos (especially the S60 T5 or R) look incredibly
HOT!! Oh my. They do not look ANYTHING like any Japanese car. They look
unique, and take everything from Volvo's past and bring it to the future.
Only the new S40 and select other models are results during Ford's
ownership.

The new S40 by the way is beautiful in MANY ways.. I love it.

The new styling in Volvo's lineup has brought people into the showrooms, and
ultimately on the road.

Trust me, the new cars are every bit as good as the old ones

Cheers

 

I had an 1800E for 11 years and people always mistook if for a VW Carmen
Ghia. That sort of deflated the old ego. It was a great handling car
with great power, but it's otherwise quick steering made parallel
parking it a job for stevedores. It was a great buy though. We drove
it for 11 years and then sold it for what we paid for it. It is the
only free car I ever owned.

 

What do you think the Carmen Ghia did for Porsche owners, when people
thought they were Porsches?

 

I think I know. For the price of the 1800E, I could have bought 2
Carmen Ghias and had gas money left over. My 1800E cost the same as the
Corvette at that time. And the Corvette still had drum brakes at that
time. I would never go back to drum brakes. I know I could have never
got as much for an 11 year old Corvette as I did for my 1800E.