Car Lust: Used Volvo V70 (?!)

Exam study can at times cause bursts of insanity. In my case, this seems to be manifesting itself as a strange compulsive desire to acquire a Volvo. And not just any Volvo, and not even the sporty, driver-focussed kind of Volvo that you might almost expect me to lust after. No, instead I am pining for a V70 wagon, preferably built early in the new millenium.

Ever since I briefly considered both the Volvo 740 and 850 on my shopping list of first cars I have occasionally felt the desire to acquire a solid and practical piece of Swedish steel. But surely by now my greater maturity, and experiences (not least my ownership experience of a car from that other Swedish marque) would have dissuaded me? It seems not. Part of the attraction is definitely their perceived value, and prices that are painfully within reach. But of course any eleven year-old car will have something substantial that is about to wear out. Add Volvo parts prices to the equation plus the fact that it will still feel and drive like a decade old car and the value equation doesn't hold up quite so well. And that's without even taking into account that even when new these cars were hardly exciting.

I found this particular 2000 model V70 at Lorbek Luxury Cars in Port Melbourne listed for $9,990. It is difficult to even write about it without feeling inexplicably drawn to its straight roofline, bulbous hip-line and those so-ugly-they're-beautiful vertical taillights. Further proving my insanity, even its automatic transmission fails to dissuade me (if you don't understand why, see here). This version does have the 184kW 2.3L turbo five, which could almost possibly approach being lively. However you can add that turbo to the list of possible expensive repairs required during the rest of this car's life.

Ooh, just look at that beautifully regular Swedish dash!

I can't quite pinpoint the reasons for my attraction to this car. Maybe it's the V70's practicality, or maybe its anonymity (at least among middle-class mothers), or maybe just that warm wafty Swedish home-baked loving goodness......oh dear, I think I just stopped making any sense at all.  Oh well, at least it's more practical than a Moke. I guess I should just hit the books once more and hope sanity will soon return.