1995 Volvo 460 Si Turbo review from UK and Ireland

When I got the car home from the dealer's garage, the first things I needed to do were:

Change the oil and filter - much needed!

Fit a new cam belt - 9000miles overdue!!

Oil and free the wastegate actuator rod, as it was over-boosting.

Fill up the PAS, Brake and coolant reservoirs - way below 'min' mark.

Nothing has actually gone wrong with the car though (touch wood) just silly things that the cheap dealer couldn't be bothered to do himself!!

Unfortunately, I found out that buying from a dealer can be as much of a gamble as buying from ebay or anywhere else! It had been well-maintained, but then allowed to sit around to rot. However, I picked it up in Feb 2005 with only 69000miles on it (N-reg), got it home and gave it a much-deserved service.

The cam belt was the first thing to do, along with the oil and filter. Once they were done, I was happy, and it drove really really well. A bit too well, and then I found out that the turbo was in fact over-boosting. But with some advice and a little oil, that problem was fixed, and now it's running superbly.

Really quick, surprisingly quick, not just compared to my previous 340 1.7, but I managed to race and beat a 2002 Golf GTi, but that was when the turbo was over-boosting, but I can't believe it's much slower now.

Perfect on the motorway, which is why I upgraded to it, as I do lots of miles and need a comfortable car to drive all day long, at decent speeds!! This does it all perfectly.

My 340 seats were probably the most comfortable seats, but these are good enough, and it's really quiet and refined.

Fuel-wise...I worked out as 29.7mpg, but that was driving up and down hills in Bristol, and not exactly driving slowly either. So I would expect much more when I try it going slowly on the motorway - (60mph!) Although it's quite hard to keep it below ridiculous speeds, as it seems to want to go and go, which it does if you give in!!

Just waiting for my MBC to come through, then it'll be even better!But like I say, even as standard, it really is surprisingly quick, and is so subtle about it too!!

I cannot fault the handling either. So in general, this car is a perfect cruiser, and is up-to-date with technology, yet seems to be going really cheaply, so get one quick while they are still around!! Just watch out for dodgy turbos!

(Oh yes, I'm only 19, and insurance is relatively cheap too (Old man's Volvo!!) )