Oppocrash update and a Unicorn manual Volvo V50

"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
02/02/2016 at 20:38 • Filed to: None

The Volvo S40 and C30 aren’t too hard to find with a manual. But the V50? Almost impossible to find with a manual in North America... so I’m finding this to be very temping:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

But I fear the maintenance/repair costs.

And yeah, I’m in the market for a car again. Last month, this happened:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I’ve been driving the Focus with a somewhat bashed in rear end until I dropped off the Focus at the scheduled time last week to have it assessed.

The verdict is the rear subframe is bent.

Cost of repair: $5900.

Insurance company decision: the car is a writeoff and they’re cutting me a cheque.

And I just spent $800 on new Nokian WRG3 tires for it back in December. On the bright side, when I mentioned the new tires to the adjuster, he raised my payout by $300.

So... Paid $5650 for the Focus 15 months ago... now the insurance is cutting me a cheque for $4800. $850 in depreciation for a car I owned for 15 months and put over 20,000km on isn’t bad.

Though I did better with my PT Cruiser... which *appreciated* by about $500 after 2 years/50,000km of driving.

DISCUSSION (17)

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 20:42

Buy the hell out of that V50.

dogisbadob > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 20:48

Get the V50! It has a common platform with the Mazda 3 and 5, so plenty of aftermarket and zoom-zoom :p

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > dogisbadob
02/02/2016 at 20:57

It’s a common platform... but when it comes to many parts, that doesn’t mean shit. The engine, for example, is an all-Volvo I5 and shares absolutely nothing with the Mazda 3 or Focus.

It was a similar deal with the Saab 9-3 I had in the past... also a “common platform” as well (GM 2900). It still had stuff on it that was an expensive pain in the ass.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/02/2016 at 20:58

I’m thinking about it... as I build my list of replacement car candidates...

Brickman > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 21:03

That wagon is nice!

boredalways > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 21:05

If I did it right, they’re all manuals:

http://m.carmax.com/search/results

Edit: whoops, didn’t realized that you are north of the border

FromCanadaWithLove > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 21:05

My girlfriend has an ‘07 C30 with the 2.4i. For what it’s worth, that car has never caused her an issue.

V6 or Bust > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 21:12

But I fear the maintenance/repair costs.

You should. Those Volvo 5-cylinders are trouble.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 21:15

Looks like a nice car! But I’m very biased.

Only thing is that I’ve heard mixed reviews on that engine

The T5 is much more solid apparently.

Jonee > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 21:19

It would be funner if it had a T5, but I like that Volvo. Maintenance costs should be no more than anything comparable.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
02/02/2016 at 21:24

“JQJ213 - Pouring his heart, soul, and wallet into his C30"

Alrighty... I’m taking a pass on this Volvo.

LOL

Steve in Manhattan > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 21:53

Rented a V40 once a while back - no reason to reject it, and a wagon would have been better. Is an XC70 a better choice in that price range? Always liked those.

dogisbadob > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/02/2016 at 21:56

I’m prety sure the shocks are interchangeable between the three.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > dogisbadob
02/02/2016 at 21:58

LOL

TheRealBicycleBuck > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/03/2016 at 08:38

Aw, dang. Go for what makes you happy. If it’s a brown manual diesel wagon, so be it!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TheRealBicycleBuck
02/03/2016 at 12:42

There are conflicting things that make me happy... Something like the Volvo would make me happy... but low operating/repair costs and reliability also make me happy...

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/03/2016 at 20:22

*correction*

It’s impossible to find a V50.