Blue Smoke and Smell of Oil and Petrol

[LiamT4]

Some people just get attached to their cars, so that they don't mind throwing cash at it, i don't see why it should bother anyone else. Anyone on here that is moddifing "just an old volvo" is doing exactly the same.

Why spend thousands on a car that is worth 2k, rebuilding the engine, bigger turbo, brakes, suspension, etc, when you could just buy a newer/faster car to begin with? Because thats what some people like to do and i can't see a problem with that.

[Harvey]

Some people just get attached to their cars, so that they don't mind throwing cash at it, i don't see why it should bother anyone else. Anyone on here that is moddifing "just an old volvo" is doing exactly the same.

Why spend thousands on a car that is worth 2k, rebuilding the engine, bigger turbo, brakes, suspension, etc, when you could just buy a newer/faster car to begin with? Because thats what some people like to do and i can't see a problem with that.

Very true.

[JamesT5]

Some people just get attached to their cars, so that they don't mind throwing cash at it, i don't see why it should bother anyone else. Anyone on here that is moddifing "just an old volvo" is doing exactly the same.

Why spend thousands on a car that is worth 2k, rebuilding the engine, bigger turbo, brakes, suspension, etc, when you could just buy a newer/faster car to begin with? Because thats what some people like to do and i can't see a problem with that.

Yes, it's interesting because you've actually highlighted something I've tried pointing out before. People will spend 1000's and 1000's modding their cars rather than just buying a more expensive and faster one.

Why do they do this? Well 2 reasons;

1) They can't afford a faster car in one dollop so they buy a cheaper one and do it up a bit at a time.

2) They like modding cars and older ones are just that bit easier to work on (in some cases). But then one argument is that they could buy an already fast car and mod it, right? No, remember, the budget doesn't go that far for a lot of people.

Now, let's compare that to my scenario, I could just buy another car, newer with fewer problems. Oh, hang on a minute I can't afford it and can't get car finance so I buy a cheaper car and repair it in bits. Sound familiar? It's the same logic but because I'm seemingly getting nowhere and haven't got it to 400bhp yet then it's seen as a complete waste of money by some, but this is not the case.

2 years ago I wouldn't dare put a spanner to a car, I've done jobs I wouldn't dare have tackled two years ago but now I do, so I'm learning. I can't afford to save up for a newer car so unless I go to 'Bank of Mum and Dad' I might as well just stick with the car for as long as I can, and that's been my logic all along. I'm forced in to it by circumstance and until you've been where I am financially you'd never understand.

Think about what I've done with this car and where I've got to with it, what's left? Not a lot. Yes, I could have saved up all this cash that I've 'ploughed' in to it and got myself a 3 year old D5 by now. But then how was I supposed to know that it would end up going this far and also how would I have even got around for the past 2 years without a car whilst I saved up all this cash?

Perhaps that will put things in to perspective for some people.

[stribo]

I can see what you're saying James, but your situation is a bit different to someone modifying a car. Unless you buy a supercar, any car is sold as a compromise between handling and comfort, power and economy, and so forth, modifying for me is about making the car less of a compromise, and a more focused performance car, so I forego comfort and good fuel economy in the interest of power and decent handling, also modifying for a lot of people is about putting their own stamp on the car they own, so it stands out from the sea of standard equivalent models. What you're doing is spending loads on your car just to stand still. I have been in your financial situation (although I don't know the specifics of your situation) what I did was buy a cheap car, if anything went badly wrong with it, I'd scrap it and buy another. As has been said before, it's your money, and if your happy to keep ploughing it in to your car, that's your choice.

[LiamT4]

What you're doing is spending loads on your car just to stand still.

Which is, what i'd imagine, what lots of people on VOC do.

[pillapow]

Just buy an 850 T5 for a couple of hundred quid and beat it hard. LOL.

Thats what im going to do. Oh yes.

[volvokid]

James if you like your car keep ploughing the money at it! I know if my saffy needed a new engine I wouldn't be scrapping or getting rid of it, and that's not worth alot probably.

[jamesy12345]

Which is, what i'd imagine, what lots of people on VOC do.

Not only on VOC! I do it on here too.....

[Harvey]

What you're doing is spending loads on your car just to stand still.

This sounds like someone I know,he spends loads on a car that just sits resting outside.

Very good point made here there are a fair number of members here that run more than one car the second car is a hobby and or plaything, As said before the amount of money lavished on them is colossal,compared to what the book price is.

[stribo]

This sounds like someone I know,he spends loads on a car that just sits resting outside.

Very good point made here there are a fair number of members here that run more than one car the second car is a hobby and or plaything, As said before the amount of money lavished on them is colossal,compared to what the book price is.

Yeah, I don't think any of us are under the illusion that we'll get back what we've spent on them, but for us it's a hobby, and more exciting than collecting stamps.

[V70 Graham]

Yeah, I don't think any of us are under the illusion that we'll get back what we've spent on them, but for us it's a hobby, and more exciting than collecting stamps.

Well said.....there are far more expensive hobbies (some stamps are worth more than my car)

[stribo]

Well said.....there are far more expensive hobbies (some stamps are worth more than my car)

That would be a first class stamp then.

[silverhorse]

FINALLY!!! People are starting to realise that the car belongs to James, and what he does with it is his business. LOL, it has only taken 120 odd posts. If he wants to plough money into what others believe is a lost cause, then that is his prerogative. Many might not agree with it, but he is hardly deserving of all the vitriol directed at him.
Crack on James, if this is the best way forward for you.

[Harvey]

Well said.....there are far more expensive hobbies (some stamps are worth more than my car)

Graham your car will always be worth more than one of these.

[stribo]

Graham your car will always be worth more than one of these.

One maybe, but not two.

[V70 Graham]

FINALLY!!! People are starting to realise that the car belongs to James, and what he does with it is his business....

I for one have never slated James, I just hope he ends up with the V70 in decent condition.

[LeeT5]

2 years ago I wouldn't dare put a spanner to a car, I've done jobs I wouldn't dare have tackled two years ago but now I do, so I'm learning. I can't afford to save up for a newer car so unless I go to 'Bank of Mum and Dad' I might as well just stick with the car for as long as I can, and that's been my logic all along. I'm forced in to it by circumstance and until you've been where I am financially you'd never understand.

The problem is you don't listen! Collectively their is hundreds of years of experience from ppl working in the vehicle trade professionally, you would learn a lot more if you listened now and again.

Nobody is disputing anything of what you said in thread #123, and I for one, firmly agree. I myself have spent more than the car is worth in both modding and excessive servicing and a 'fix immediately' attitude regardless of cost, but then my car has only done 136k and as a model R is (by default) more valuable, desirable and theoretically, should hold it's value better than a V70 T5. I am mightily impressed that your car has done 260k......20 years ago, those sort of miles could only be dreamed of and if in existence, very rare indeed! Now I'm not in the car sale trade, but I know that your car won't devalue in price any more than it had done up until now. With 260k on the clock, you'll be lucky if it's worth £400 and I'm sure it's worth £400 all day long - but potentially (as Stribo says) £2k in parts!!!
For me, your situation would now be a big decision to make. Do I scrap for parts and potentially spend the money I get from parts on another, newer, lower mileage T5 OR do I wait for the inevitable big garage bill and then have my hand forced into keeping it and praying that nothing else goes wrong?

As far as mods go (presuming your car is saved from the dead).......well, engine wise, I would leave well alone. With 260k on it your engine ain't no spring chicken and it would be like trying to force your granny to play 90 minutes on a football pitch! Something will let go and then you'll be back here again. My advice is stop modding your engine. Accept that it won't get any faster and be thankful that it's still on the road and maybe you'll get her up to that massive milestone of 300k!!

I know what I'd do.

I'm not having a pop at you James and despite our differences of opinion I genuinely hope you make the right decision.

Good luck!

[graemewelch]

2k in bits? If thats the case ill buy ten scrap v70s

[stribo]

The problem is you don't listen! Collectively their is hundreds of years of experience from ppl working in the vehicle trade professionally, you would learn a lot more if you listened now and again.

Nobody is disputing anything of what you said in thread #123, and I for one, firmly agree. I myself have spent more than the car is worth in both modding and excessive servicing and a 'fix immediately' attitude regardless of cost, but then my car has only done 136k and as a model R is (by default) more valuable, desirable and theoretically, should hold it's value better than a V70 T5. I am mightily impressed that your car has done 260k......20 years ago, those sort of miles could only be dreamed of and if in existence, very rare indeed! Now I'm not in the car sale trade, but I know that your car won't devalue in price any more than it had done up until now. With 260k on the clock, you'll be lucky if it's worth £400 and I'm sure it's worth £400 all day long - but potentially (as Stribo says) £2k in parts!!!
For me, your situation would now be a big decision to make. Do I scrap for parts and potentially spend the money I get from parts on another, newer, lower mileage T5 OR do I wait for the inevitable big garage bill and then have my hand forced into keeping it and praying that nothing else goes wrong?

As far as mods go (presuming your car is saved from the dead).......well, engine wise, I would leave well alone. With 260k on it your engine ain't no spring chicken and it would be like trying to force your granny to play 90 minutes on a football pitch! Something will let go and then you'll be back here again. My advice is stop modding your engine. Accept that it won't get any faster and be thankful that it's still on the road and maybe you'll get her up to that massive milestone of 300k!!

I know what I'd do.

I'm not having a pop at you James and despite our differences of opinion I genuinely hope you make the right decision.

Good luck!

2k in bits? If thats the case ill buy ten scrap v70s

I didn't say it was worth £2K in bits, think that was MRP.

[LeeT5]

Sorry, I wasn't paying attention mate. If it was you or Martin, whatever, my point stands. Thou I do think £2k in parts is rather exaggerated. Maybe £1000-1500, either way, that's another T5 territory with a lot less miles!!!