I'm getting a second hand Volvo V40

[candidrachel]

From my step-dad. Apparently he's getting a V50 (or whatever the latest model is) so we are getting his old V40 (2004). I'm slightly bricking it because I am used to driving my little Toyota Starlet so going from that diddy car to the Volvo V40 is like going from the sublime to the utter ridiculous.

My husband and I are laughing because in order to get a Volvo you have to pass a "special driving test" a bit like the BMW and 4x4 drivers are often in a league of their own I never imagined being the owner of a Volvo all that is missing is a flat cap and pipe

My children are looking forward to inheriting "Opa's-posh-car-with-leatherseats" instead of fabric seats that are somewhat sticky with lollysticks and other sticky substances from candy!

Collecting in on Friday next week.

[castman]

Nice! good for you! injoy the new ride!

[zona5101]

Congrats on the new-2-u ride!

You have to take a test to own/drive a volvo???

[candidrachel]

The test thing is just a little joke between hubby and I because in our experience Volvo drivers are the one's that drive at a snails pace (that's what I do) and make slight inaccurate but not dangerous maneovers like not indicating where you are going (that's what I do sometimes too!), Volvo drivers are normally of the older generation (not me yet).

BMW drivers are the ones that drive fast, erratically, take risky maneovers and drive right up your ass!

4x4 drivers are the horsey types that live in a hice not house and are stuck up and snobby. They are the ones that I often see parked in Marks and Spencers or John Lewis (for those in the UK you will understand)

Of course all these over-generalizations are taken tongue in cheek and not to be taken seriously.

[Bruce A]

"Volvos - they're boxy, but they are good" - Dudley Moore

Reading an auto review recently about a Hyundai i30 (my wife just got one) and the author was talking about brands and their reputations. Hyundai is known to be a budget car with limitations on design and quality. Not so much now, they are picking up awards everywhere. Volvos have that "old man with the hat" reputation (like the old Morris 1100) but motoring writers claim they are brilliant cars. I'd certainly like one. Oh, and my wife loves her i30 - especially since her boss paid for it

[mosgood]

Wow Rachel, that sounds really nice! :-) Good for you!

[Woody]

No Toyota Prius drivers are the Volvo drivers of the 2010's.

Drive carefully Rachel.


Cheers,

John W

[milosh]

I find it funny how Americans always reffer to Volvo as a family-person's car.
They have been large and bulky in the past, but the new ones are awesome.
If I could afford it I would by myself a used S40:


And how about the new S60:


No, seriously, in Europe, Volvos are considered to be high quality cars and very safe cars as well.
And they really hold their price!

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by milosh

No, seriously, in Europe, Volvos are considered to be high quality cars and very safe cars as well.
And they really hold their price!

LoL... In the part of Europe I'm from, Volvos have the reputation of being like an armoured people carrier.. Big, heavy and a bit slow, but build in a way that you could crash into the Grand Canyon without even scratching the paint. But hey, a comfy car is a comfy car.

I drive a Honda Jazz, it's small and economical, and comfortable, and the low insurance means I can afford to ride a ridiculously big motorbike!

[gturner]

VOLVO for life... because you can never get rid of them used. (ask me, I know)

(the new ones are nice, the old ones... not so much)