Volvo S60 (2000 - 2008) 2.3 T5 SE 4d Auto (2002/02) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Probably that I'm heading towards middle age lol.

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

They like it...especially the comfort. Most of them think I must be doing really well to buy such an expensive looking car. They can't believe it when I tell them how little I paid for it!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Not sure. It's a brilliant car but fuel economy is pretty bad for these days. 25mpg for my daily commute and worse if I enjoy the power. Can get 35mpg on the motorway with the cruise on though.

What are you likely to buy next?

Maybe a V50 or then again I might get a super economical diesel or hybrid instead.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£1,020

When did you buy the car?

April 2015

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes I think it was a bargain. I bought it on ebay auction. Obviously, if you're buying a car this old from a private seller then it's always a bit of a gamble since anything could go after you've bought it but so far it was been great.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Solid build quality, power, looks and comfort.

What was the dealer like?

Private seller seemed nice and honest guy. Told me he was selling because he wanted something more economical and newer...fair enough.

What's it like to drive?

Much better than I expected. The power from the turbo charged engine is relentless at any speed and is nicely controlled by the traction control. I'd read lots of stories of T5s spinning tyres even at motorway speeds but this isn't an issue on this car. It also sounds fantastic when you push it which isn't something I expected from a Volvo. The handling is another pleasant surprise...all the motoring journalists seem to go on about the wooden feel but to me it goes and corners brilliantly. And that was even more of a surprise considering my last car was a MX5.

What's it like to park?

Rubbish. It feels much bigger than it is and the turning circle is awful. Don't even try to go all the way around a mini roundabout like I did when I first drove it... You do get used to it after a while though.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The air con doesn't work but the seller told me that when I bought it. Alarm service light is on...apparently the alarms usually fail in these cars when they get old due to the battery in the alarm module corroding. Hasn't bothered me. Apart from that it, it has been perfect.

What's most practical about your car?

The boot is huge. Front passenger seat folds flat as well as the rear seats making it pretty good at carrying loads for a saloon car. There is a flap that folds up from the floor of the boot to hang your shopping bags off which prevents your groceries from flying around the boot.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The stereo is fantastic and so are the seats. I was rather surprised that they weren't heated though considering this is the SE version. My dad's 1980's volvo had heated seats...