Sven- A Scandinavian Tale of Raw Lust and Instant Attraction (Volvo 850)

Member Name: Nolly

Product:	Volvo 850
Date:	14/04/02 (981 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: safe, frugal, vaguely sporty, the car looks dead sexy, just like me, the red matches my eyes

Disadvantages: people look at the car and not me

Well, I hope that the title has at least managed to grab your attention! Over the last few weeks my family and I (wife, toddler, and bump) have been looking for a car suitable for the family to have as a workhorse-cum-day out kind of car. Our Mondeo estate is a bit of a wreck and is a pain to drive- it's uncomfortable, does about 31mpg, and drinks a sumpfull of oil in 2000 miles.

Anyway, we have been trawling around with a budget of £4000, trying to see what we could get. The only stipulation was that it had to be a car that I could fit in (I'm 6 foot 8 by the way- just thought I'd say that to excite Mrs Murphy!).

I'm not going to go into the ins and outs of every care looked at, but we have purchased our new vehicle, and I shall name him Sven.

Sven is nearly 8 years old, has done 101000 miles, but has been fully serviced and looks good. And I even admit that driving Sven makes me look a good deal sexier as well!

Sven is a bright red Volvo 850 2.0 GLT Saloon. He has got a whopping great spoiler on the back, and is definitely the strong silent type.

The condition of the car was very good indeed. The interior was spotless, the engine was quiet and it is just a lovely car.

So what bells and whistles has it got, I hear you ask. Well, if you shut up and wait a second, I'll tell you...

Sven has the following features that make me, sorry him, look even sexier:

Power Steering
Electric Sunroof
Electric Front Windows
Electrically adjustable and heated mirrors
Heated front seats (oooh, matron!)

The back seats fold down, which is very handy as I went to IKEA and bought a bed for Ellie last week. The interior is half-leather, but unfortunately there are no whips and chains... sorry, got sidetracked there!

In terms of performance, the car has got 134bhp under it's lid, and can do abouy 125 mph I should think. Being a respectable law-abiding citizen I h
ave only ever driven at the speed limit. Economy wise he's giving me about 33mpg, which is better than the Mondeo he replaces.


All in all, we have chosen a safe, affordable (he cost £3500) and stylish family car which, if looked after well, will last us a good ten years or so. Or if he lasts until Ellie is 16 I'll fit a meter ready for it's task as 'dad's taxi'!

Summary: