chance's story

[chance]

I've been a member about a week now, so perhaps I should introduce myself properly. With two children already and a third on the way it was obvious the little Alfa 156's days were numbered. I looked at the various alternatives, mostly people movers that were far too dull to appeal to the petrol-head in me. The Multipla appealed to my design sense but having the combination of it being a Fiat, a diesel and a people mover was just too much to bear. The old-shape AMG E-class Mercedes was certainly both big and exciting enough, but at a starting price of around £17,000 (plus the potentially crippling repair costs) it's far too rich for my blood. Now if only there was a budget version of that car; well built, fast, discreet, capacious and with obvious sporting credentials...

So here I am. I'd remembered Jeremy Clarkson's glowing tribute to the T-5R and 850R models. And I occasionally see a graphite 850R looking menacing on the school-run. Looks, performance, space, economical to buy and run, and a thriving community of web-based enthusiasts only a mouse-click away.

The perfect vehicle?

[Bracer]

:welcome:

Your making the right choice mate.

When my first came along it was the excuse I'd been waiting for, and I jumped for the T5 :tank:

O and they never did a graphite 850R.

[Mrsmopp]

Welcome to the forum!

It seems that the T5 is the obvious choice for anyone wanting 3 cars rolled into one. Performace, stealth and family trasporter all in one!! :worship:

x

[chance]

O and they never did a graphite 850R.

That is interesting. The car lives locally and belongs to a friend of a friend. It certainly looks right; has the Volans, the Alcantara-mix seats, the stance, spoiler, badges etc. Are you sure it wasn't an option?

(By graphite I mean a slightly off-black metallic - perhaps you're refering to my query about the silver-grey T5 choice?).

[Wobbly Dave]

So here I am. I'd remembered Jeremy Clarkson's glowing tribute to the T-5R and 850R modelsThe perfect vehicle?

I never saw that one - has anyone got it on tape?

:welcome:

[chance]

I never saw that one - has anyone got it on tape?

Sorry, I should have said; it was one of his written pieces. It was originally either for the Sunday Times or Top Gear magazine and must have been written around the time of the launch of the 850R. You can find a copy in his Born To Be Riled collection under the title of Speedy Swede.

[Murphy]

Hello and welcome again chance.

Just to make you aware of a couple of things with the Volvo as a family man myself. You must ensure that the rear seat belts fit all comfortably on your baby seat. The seatbelt is suprisingly short. In addition if you move your baby from a rear facing seat to a forward facing seat, you need to ensure that the forward facing has a low base, as the shape of the rear door makes it very difficult to pull a child out of a high seat....

The only last note, is the rear legroom again is suprisingly tight with a baby seat, make sure everyone fits in before you purchase ! I had to change our rear facing seat in the early years and still struggle on with the forward facing. In addition i sold my audi coupe on principle that the seat belts didn't fit :(

Other than that enjoy your search

Andy

[Bracer]

`Cough'

:hidesbehi

I would just like to appoligise, as after doing some research I have found the list of colours the 850R was avaliable in :redface:

Styling remains similar to the muscular, athletic look of the T-5R, although
the 850R features exclusive new 7-spoke, 17" Volan wheels, and has its
own unique range of exterior colours - Turquoise, Brilliant Red, Gun Metal
Grey and Black.

Just wanted to put it all straight :rolleyes:

You learn something new every day :wink:

[chance]

You must ensure that the rear seat belts fit all comfortably on your baby seat. The seatbelt is suprisingly short. In addition if you move your baby from a rear facing seat to a forward facing seat, you need to ensure that the forward facing has a low base, as the shape of the rear door makes it very difficult to pull a child out of a high seat....
The only last note, is the rear legroom again is suprisingly tight with a baby seat.

Thanks for the pointers Andy. I'm lucky to have a brother-in-law with a '98 V70XC so I've been able to try the various seats for size. We have a six-year-old disabled child who still has to be in a Recaro child seat, but because it has a swivel- base getting in and out wasn't a problem. We noted the short seatbelts but they're just about long enough at present. I'm in touch with a seatbelt specialist who can fit a longer inertia reel if it becomes too tight (he's in the North London area if anyone here needs custom belts).

We'll also need to fit the new baby into a smaller child seat alongside the Recaro (once he/she is out of the rear-facing) but again everything seemed to fit, despite a TopGear roadtest report I have that says it won't.

Rear seat leg room is certainly not overly generous, but it's better than in my Alfa 156 and neither my wife nor I are particularly tall, so it shouldn't be a problem. I can always sell it, but at least want to give it a go before the inevitable descent into people-mover hell.

Anyone know a good place to fit a folding leather boot seat at a reasonable cost? (Just in case my otherwise perfect 850 is lacking one). I've been quoted between £800-£1000.

[Bracer]

Have you had a word with these guys ?

http://www.salvogroup.co.uk/salvosite.htm

:wink: