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DaveS60D5
Friday 27th May 2005, 16:02
Just wondered if anyone else would be interested in these, I'm booked into the one at the Marriot Forest of Arden Hotel on Sunday, 5th June 2005.

You get to test drive 3 cars (no S60R though? :wtf: ). I've booked:

1st @ 2.15pm - S60 T5
2nd @ 3pm - V70R
3rd @ 3.45pm - C70 T5

Should be fun! Totally free too!

If anyone else is interested there are 3 sites including the one I'm going to on different dates, follow link below for details:

http://www.volvocarcampaigns.co.uk/freedom/

Anyone else booked to go on one of these?? :bounce:

pzorb
Friday 27th May 2005, 16:27
I was down for the last day, but after calling them up they confirmed that i have to be over 25 to actually partake in this unless I put the cars on my insurance. And after paying £10.76 for VT's fiesta, I think not!

Martin
PS B*stards do the same for courtesy cars at the main stealer too. All that extra money as well!

dave
Friday 27th May 2005, 16:47
You get to test drive 3 cars (no S60R though? ). I've booked:

lol, they wouldn't let mere mortals drive the S60 R!

you need to be a "driving god" to get a test drive!

lol

dave :haha: :insane:

Justin
Friday 27th May 2005, 17:10
Erm i beg to differ because they let wobbly dave drive on rotflmao!

p fandango
Friday 27th May 2005, 17:46
Erm i beg to differ because they let wobbly dave drive on rotflmao!
either very brave, or very well insured :slap:

fraz13
Friday 27th May 2005, 17:54
None above Birmingham, now thats just wrong :thread: lol

Wobbly Dave
Saturday 28th May 2005, 22:44
Erm i beg to differ because they let wobbly dave drive on rotflmao!
Hey - at least I was invited to the Volvo Weekend - unlike some - :haha:

And yes I am a god and yes I did drive an S60R - so double :haha: :haha:

And in comparison to mine it was a bit gutless.

DaveS60D5
Sunday 29th May 2005, 00:19
Hey - at least I was invited to the Volvo Weekend - unlike some - :haha:

And yes I am a god and yes I did drive an S60R - so double :haha: :haha:

And in comparison to mine it was a bit gutless.

Take it you're not going then Dave? (understandable if you've already test driven the S60R!)

Also, surprised you found a 300bhp car with DTSC "gutless"?!?

After_Shock
Sunday 29th May 2005, 10:28
If im not mistaken the S60R that dave drove was the geartronic one?

pzorb what do you expect for insurance for the cars! Try finding insurance companies that will happily insure people under 25 to drive cars that are 250bhp plus their hardly isnt any!

Whats the problem with the main dealer way? Their trade insurance only covers customers in their cars when a member of staff is present i.e on test drives, if they were to cover customers on their own the cost of the trade insurance would be massively higher which they would have to cover the cost through higher servicing and parts prices, which would you prefer!

pzorb
Sunday 29th May 2005, 11:51
I don't want to hijack this thread... but (lol) I used to have a Polo and when that went in for a service there was never an issue of age, nor did I have to put the car under my insurance. At the volvo dealer, I had to declare that I was over 21 regardless of whether I was insuring it or not - at the time I wasn't so no car for me! And as for the test drive, well if i did have the best part of 40 grand to spend I'd like to think they'd show me a little leeway :nutkick: I'm not disagreeing with you After_shock, btw.
</hijack>
Martin

After_Shock
Sunday 29th May 2005, 12:11
Dont worry about it, its not the dealers fault though its down to the insurance company they use, some Volvo dealers may well insure people under 21 but its unlikely due to the average cost and engine size of their cars. Even if you walked in with 40grand in cash they wouldnt be willing to break the law and let you drive uninsured though! I know with the trade insurer at work people oftem say well you pay for the insurance but because some are under 21 they insurance wont touch them so even though the garage is willing to pay they genuinely are stuck, but the customer never believes that!

It happened to one of the blokes I work with alot of years ago, he let a bloke take a car out on a test drive on his own and he hadnt organised any insurance, he had a minor accident and hit a 4 year old girl stood on the pavement, fortunately he was going slow by time he hit her and she only had minor injuries, imagine the insurance claims if that had happened these days :jaw: !

philt6
Sunday 29th May 2005, 12:29
i'm booked 4th june
S60 T5
V70r
XC90T6
first drive
13 30

DaveS60D5
Sunday 29th May 2005, 18:46
i'm booked 4th june
S60 T5
V70r
XC90T6
first drive
13 30

B*gger mate! Only reason I didn't go on the 4th was there was no V70R test drives left! DOH!

Enjoy the day mate! :Handshake

philt6
Tuesday 31st May 2005, 09:05
mines been booked since 1st may

philt6
Sunday 5th June 2005, 12:18
Had the test drives yesterday
S60t5
very quick the wife was trying to brake for me
the daughter was hanging on to the headrest
and the 5 year old grand daughter fell asleep
V70R
Big fast comfortable
this drive was accompanied by a volvo rep
on the way back down the A45 was told to nail it
all i heard from the back was the wife saying oh sh*t oh sh*t
grand daughter shouting faster grandad
So in the words of someone "i have got to get me one of those"

rottertron
Sunday 5th June 2005, 14:51
So in the words of someone "i have got to get me one of those"
Wil Smith, Independence Day

DaveS60D5
Monday 6th June 2005, 17:33
Had the test drives yesterday
S60t5
very quick the wife was trying to brake for me
the daughter was hanging on to the headrest
and the 5 year old grand daughter fell asleep
V70R
Big fast comfortable
this drive was accompanied by a volvo rep
on the way back down the A45 was told to nail it
all i heard from the back was the wife saying oh sh*t oh sh*t
grand daughter shouting faster grandad
So in the words of someone "i have got to get me one of those"


Hi folks well I had my test drives yesterday and report as follows:

1st -

S60 T5 - light gold - WOW! Wasn't expecting this to be as good as it was! VERY Impressive! What I expected in terms of comfort, extras inside etc (as has become synonymous with Volvo anyway) but what really impressed me was the handling, agility and lack of lag!! You can throw this thing round an Island at 50 with a pretty hard right hand lock on and the DTSC will just NOT let the back end out!!! Also will not wheelspin with the DTSC in, tried in 1st up to 5000rpm and no wheelspin! (loads of it w/o DTSC obviously). Also, pains me to admit it, but not surprisingly the S60 T5 is streets ahead of the 850/70 series IMO with regard to power, '05 model punches out 260bhp which is powerful enough anyway, but the power delivery is the most impressive part of it - there is MUCH less lag on the turbo than any previous model, including the pre-05 S60 T5's. This car BY FAR was the most impressive I drove on the day.

2nd -

V70R - Black - As expected, gorgeous car with all the refinement and toys you could ever want, and the punch was just as prevalent (not as much difference between this and the S60 T5 powerwise as I would've liked though), handling / agility with the DTSC & '4 C' chassis modes & AWD (95% front, 5% rear but varies according to traction) was second to none - stunning in this regard. With the list price some 10K higher than the S60 T5 and not much extra punch, I'd not bother to be honest. You'll be paying 10K extra for some pretty dials, alloys, brakes, interior, 4 C chassis doubris and AWD - 90% of which is cosmetic. Wouldn't bother myself S60 T5 all day long for £32000 Vs the £43000 for the R I drove. Must admit though I'd like to try the S60R before finally writing the idea off, the estate's gonna carry more weight obviously.

3rd -

C70 T5 - Black - lovely car, nice power-hood - this demo car rattled though and the steering wheel actually SHOOK 1-2 inches either way!!! (Demonstrator guy did mention it before I took it out). Hate to say it, but the interior looked identical (minus the aluminium trim & blue dials) that my 1997 R has which is a bit crap considering we are now 8 years further on!! Same stereo everything! (Not that there's anything wrong with it! Just would want something more modern for my money when they've had 8 years to develop it all!). 70 series based model which is lovely but only 2nd hand / used. IMO anyone who buys a brand new one of this is paying for an aged model and wasting their money when they could buy an S60 T5 which is MUCH more impressive.

4th - (ad hoc another drive didn't turn up)

XC90 D5 - 163bhp - Grey - sluggish as you'd expect, but for the size of the car not AS sluggish as you'd expect. Don't like 4 x 4's and the car isn't anything special re: handling / drive so wouldn't bother - overpriced and unimpressive. Admittedly, haven't driven the 272bhp XC90 AWD T6 though, but I doubt it'd be a patch on the S60 T5 / V70R.

Vote winner for me is 100% the S60 T5 - the 2005 models are something else! I strongly advise anyone considering buying a new volvo to test drive one of these NOW! (Even those who aren't looking to get one - it's a 1st class car!).

Sorry for war and peace just thought some might be interested? :)

After_Shock
Monday 6th June 2005, 18:22
I do agree Dave the S60 T5 with the 6 speed box is a really impressive car, and surprisingly quick, however still not driven an R model yet so cant compare!

The XC90 however I do disagree is probably the best car Volvo makes at the moment, its very much car like to drive when considering the size and height of the thing is a great achievement, it has the best interior of any of the Volvo cars but is admittedly sluggish, but they arent meant to be chucked around on the road so do have limits but are better to drive than the Merc ML and the X5. The T6 version has a good turn of speed but averages about 18mpg which is a joke!

DaveS60D5
Monday 6th June 2005, 22:19
I do agree Dave the S60 T5 with the 6 speed box is a really impressive car, and surprisingly quick, however still not driven an R model yet so cant compare!

The XC90 however I do disagree is probably the best car Volvo makes at the moment, its very much car like to drive when considering the size and height of the thing is a great achievement, it has the best interior of any of the Volvo cars but is admittedly sluggish, but they arent meant to be chucked around on the road so do have limits but are better to drive than the Merc ML and the X5. The T6 version has a good turn of speed but averages about 18mpg which is a joke!

Fair comment about the XC90 - did notice there was a lot more gadgetry in the XC90 but I'm a person who appreciates a car 90% by the way it drives and 10% the on-board gadgets... Each to their own :)

DVD & Sat Nav in both S60 T5 & the XC90.

dave
Monday 6th June 2005, 23:22
V70R - Black - As expected, gorgeous car with all the refinement and toys you could ever want, and the punch was just as prevalent (not as much difference between this and the S60 T5 powerwise as I would've liked though), handling / agility with the DTSC & '4 C' chassis modes & AWD (95% front, 5% rear but varies according to traction) was second to none - stunning in this regard. With the list price some 10K higher than the S60 T5 and not much extra punch, I'd not bother to be honest. You'll be paying 10K extra for some pretty dials, alloys, brakes, interior, 4 C chassis doubris and AWD - 90% of which is cosmetic. Wouldn't bother myself S60 T5 all day long for £32000 Vs the £43000 for the R I drove. Must admit though I'd like to try the S60R before finally writing the idea off, the estate's gonna carry more weight obviously.

the engine in the s60 t5 05, is very close to the R's engine and same gear box

so on the move the 2 cars are going to be very close.

the awd front and rear power, is changed by lots of other factors, not just traction, when you accerate the awd pumps more power to the back wheels, upto 70% to rear,(i have felt this effect off a wet roundabout, abit tail happy!), also if you read up on the 4c chassis thing, it changes the amount of power front to rear, according to which part of corner your on, as you go round the corner.

when you accerate the 4c stops the rear end squatting, and when you brake stops the front doing the same, it quite amazing wot the cars doing as you drive along, but most off it you would never know it was happening!

i test drove a s60 t5 05 just before test drive for R, the s60 just didnt have the same punch as the s60R, like the ecu program was more for fast cruiseing, the s60r feels very twitchie, faster throttle responce is a good way of putting it.

you can throw this thing round an Island at 50 with a pretty hard right hand lock on and the DTSC will just NOT let the back end out!!!
different for R, the car will let backend out, far more easily, but the dstc will kick in after it has passed a certain point, i read somewhere thats wot volvo set it up to do

dave

After_Shock
Monday 6th June 2005, 23:35
Dave im the same, personally I dont like 4x4's and would probably never buy one regardless of price and an XC90 isnt exactly a good drivers proposition compared to cars however as I say compared to other cars in its class it probably is the best all rounder.

DaveS60D5
Monday 6th June 2005, 23:40
the engine in the s60 t5 05, is very close to the R's engine and same gear box

so on the move the 2 cars are going to be very close.

the awd front and rear power, is changed by lots of other factors, not just traction, when you accerate the awd pumps more power to the back wheels, upto 70% to rear,(i have felt this effect off a wet roundabout, abit tail happy!), also if you read up on the 4c chassis thing, it changes the amount of power front to rear, according to which part of corner your on, as you go round the corner.

when you accerate the 4c stops the rear end squatting, and when you brake stops the front doing the same, it quite amazing wot the cars doing as you drive along, but most off it you would never know it was happening!

i test drove a s60 t5 05 just before test drive for R, the s60 just didnt have the same punch as the s60R, like the ecu program was more for fast cruiseing, the s60r feels very twitchie, faster throttle responce is a good way of putting it.

different for R, the car will let backend out, far more easily, but the dstc will kick in after it has passed a certain point, i read somewhere thats wot volvo set it up to do

dave

Noted and agree Dave!

Missed not having the chance to drive the S60R, and what you've said has encouraged me to book a test drive!

Cheers! :)

DaveS60D5
Monday 6th June 2005, 23:45
Dave im the same, personally I dont like 4x4's and would probably never buy one regardless of price and an XC90 isnt exactly a good drivers proposition compared to cars however as I say compared to other cars in its class it probably is the best all rounder.

Point taken - for price and what you get it's probably a very good choice, but as aforementioned, 4x4's just don't do it for me :smirk: :rolleyes:

Daniel B
Tuesday 7th June 2005, 09:29
I've missed booking myself in for any of these this year, but do we know if this is something that they do annually?

I will defo try and book early next year.

One of the posters said they were accompanied by a rep - how exactly is that an unaccompanied test drive then....?!

Dan

DaveS60D5
Tuesday 14th June 2005, 07:40
I've missed booking myself in for any of these this year, but do we know if this is something that they do annually?

I will defo try and book early next year.

One of the posters said they were accompanied by a rep - how exactly is that an unaccompanied test drive then....?!

Dan

Only accompanied on V70R (no S60R there but same would have applied there I think). Reason I was given was because its 300bhp - I think it's more likely that either for insurance reasons they were made too, or they just didn't trust us in a 47000 car with that power! (Accident risk? Theft?)

dave
Tuesday 14th June 2005, 20:02
Only accompanied on V70R (no S60R there but same would have applied there I think). Reason I was given was because its 300bhp - I think it's more likely that either for insurance reasons they were made too, or they just didn't trust us in a 47000 car with that power! (Accident risk? Theft?)

it doesn't cost 47 k!, lol, 37k i think

dave

After_Shock
Tuesday 14th June 2005, 20:37
Dave they can easily cost 47k, our Newcastle branch has a 41k S60R sat in the showroom and thats not quite top spec, the V70 R's are more standard and have more options to choose from so they probably had a fully loaded one on display!