Should I keep my S60?

[Golaboots]

Hello

I've had my 05 S60 d5 SE for three years, I bought it at 1 year and 11k miles old for £14k and love it. Best seats and stereo for the money is what I was aiming for but ended up with a great looking Q car to boot.

I'm on a 'cash for car' scheme at work and am not really supposed to keep a car more than four years old (but there is a precident for doing so)

The car still looks and drives fine but I wonder if I'm at the optimum time to change it, it must still be worth £5.5k or so but if I keep it for another year it will be 5 years old with 110k on the clock and probably worth far less.

Can anyone comment on the running costs as an s60 ages?

So far I've only had new front wishbones in 70k miles along with tyres, servicing etc.
Obviously a cam belt change will be coming soonish, but if things like wheel bearings, clutches etc all tend to need doing around 100k miles or so I may be best changing cars.

[rick250561]

Been there

I bought an 04 S60 D5 SE when it was 8 months old.

About 18 months ago I went through the same process of deciding whether to replace it or not. At that time it had done 85k miles and was appauled at the trade in value given by the Volvo dealer where it was bought and had been servicing it. It would then have cost me £10k+ to get anything near as good. Not worth it as far as I was concerned just for a newer number plate.

Now it has around 130k on the clock and still going strong. Never had to replace anything apart from tyres, and has not cost me a penny apart from servicing. Yes the 100k service was expensive but that included cam belt change and everything.

I will be keeping this for a while now and banking the money I get from work.

It has more than paid for itself and as far as I am concerned is now saving me money as I spend no where near what I get as an allowance.

Good luck with your decision

[Golaboots]

It's a tough one. There are always lots of S60/V70's about for sale with astronomical mileages on them wich is reassuring.

I also get the impression that to replace it with anything as good or better would cost an arm and a leg.

Perhaps I'll play the 'don't want to commit to a large 3 year financial committment unless you can gaurentee my job for three years' card for now.

I'm most tempted to change for another volvo of a similar age but lower mileage, and invest in a cheapy private plate.

[Mr-V70]

Originally Posted by Golaboots

It's a tough one. There are always lots of S60/V70's about for sale with astronomical mileages on them wich is reassuring.

I also get the impression that to replace it with anything as good or better would cost an arm and a leg.

Perhaps I'll play the 'don't want to commit to a large 3 year financial committment unless you can gaurentee my job for three years' card for now.

I'm most tempted to change for another volvo of a similar age but lower mileage, and invest in a cheapy private plate.

Surely though its better the devil you know?

My V70 D5 has clocked up 161K and is still driving like a 20k car.

Mileage doesnt seem to be an issue

Sam

[S60 Fan]

I'm in a similar boat. Mines a 54 D5 se with 47,000 miles (last 15,000 were mine in 4 months). Looked at a c30 yesterday and its not in the same class even with D5 engine. So happy to get back in to mine, as I love it.

I reckon in another 6 months the car will start paying me back. You've already reached that stage and as you say, you won't get much for it now so every month you keep it, you can bank some money.

I've learned in the last year since opting out that depreciation is the big killer even if you have to bite the bullet and pay for some repairs every now and then, you're still better off not changing until you have to.

My big problem is that I get bored easily so expect I'll change sooner than I should but that's not the cars fault, its mine!

[rick250561]

Originally Posted by S60 Fan

My big problem is that I get bored easily so expect I'll change sooner than I should but that's not the cars fault, its mine!

That used to be my problem, however I like this car so much I cannot bear to let it go now.

After 4 years I still get a smile on my face when driving it, especially when a boy racer pulls up along side at the lights, then you see the look on his face in the mirror

[S60 Fan]

Originally Posted by rick250561

That used to be my problem, however I like this car so much I cannot bear to let it go now.

After 4 years I still get a smile on my face when driving it, especially when a boy racer pulls up along side at the lights, then you see the look on his face in the mirror

Yep, got mine back from servicing yesterday and its flying... Frightened the pants off a Ford Puma boy racer this morning. He had a Nurburgring sticker on the boot so presumably felt he had a quick car

Its so hard to think of something better without spending a lot more money. Maybe older BMW330d?

[Golaboots]

I was wondering about getting something with a biggish petrol engine for a bargain price and then getting an LPG conversion.

Nothing really stands out as being better than the S60 though.

[S60 Fan]

Originally Posted by Golaboots

I was wondering about getting something with a biggish petrol engine for a bargain price and then getting an LPG conversion.

Nothing really stands out as being better than the S60 though.

I assume you also get the government approved rate for fuel. It encourages you to have a big (over 2 litre) engine. I agree with you, the S60 is the best choice and if you have a good one, keep it!

[Beany]

If it helps your choice, your car sounds just like the kind I'm looking for since my S40 was written off :-(