2004 Volvo V50 SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

1.Passenger Seat mount, required welding on first service.

2. Gear change is 'notchy' but I always find the gear I need.

3. Drivers seat is starting to wear.

4. Service, didn't seem to make any difference to the feel of the car like I have experienced.

I love this car, it is without a doubt the best car I have ever owned. (also the most expensive!) However I was amazed at the deprecation. The load area is good however the fancy storage / cargo cover is obtrusive into it meaning higher loads don't always fit, without removing it.

Best bit... Motorway mile killer...

"4. Service, didn't seem to make any difference to the feel of the car like I have experienced."

How can that be considered something that has gone wrong with the car?

You seem to be saying that you expect a car to feel to smoother after being serviced? That's a very subjective and debatable thing any way, and certainly can't be considered a fault.

Modern cars with electronic ignition and high quality oils should feel the same when due a service as when just done, or something is likely to be wrong!

We are seriously considering a V50 as our next family car, it being one of the few cars where both my wife and I agree on the styling, practicality, interior, badge (matters to one of us and not the other) and price.

Our only concern is paying UKP17,000 upwards for what is basically a Ford Focus estate with nicer styling and a better interior. Not that there's anything wrong with the Focus of course, but they are readily available for thousands less, and Volvos historically haven't exactly held their value like a BMW or Audi. A friend has just picked up a four year old, high-ish mileage but FSH'd S60 2.0TS for well under a third of its new value.

Would you consider the Volvo worth the extra outlay over the Focus?

We have completed 12,000 miles in a Volvo V50 2.0 Diesel. Is it worth the extra money that you pay for this vs Ford Focus? Well, like any car the reasons for buying tend to be emotive rather than objective. What I can say is that we are as pleased with the vehicle now as we were 12 months ago. I work in the car industry and drive up to 5 different cars a week, and this car is still one of the best. Safety, drive experience, road presence, performance, build quality are big plus points, and compare favourably in my opinion, to a Ford. Negatives are economy (37 - 39 avg mpg vs quoted 47mpg), and a few niggles with service from my local dealership, but nothing major.

The big unknown is future value, but to be honest at this rate we will be keeping the car for another 4 years anyway so future value is a little academic, and difficult to predict.

I have the same dilemma at the moment - new company car time and I've got a choice between a Focus Titanium Estate with the 136 bhp TDCI enging and pretty much all of the toys and the V50 1.8 S, with the winter pack (heated seats). What I lose in toys, bhp and economy I gain in style and safety. For me the deciding factor is the heart over head decision not to have something that the rest of my colleagues are driving (ie the Focus) and go for something a bit more individual. If the reviews are anything to go by it should be a car I'll enjoy driving for the next 4 years.