It's a 1997 P-plate S70 2.5 20v CD manual in nautic blue metallic. It's quite difficult to find CD-spec manuals...most are autos. It's powered by a 2.5 20v 5 cylinder engine closely related to the T5 unit. It produces 165bhp and 166lbft of torque, and it shuffles along quite nicely...for reference, it'll do a pretty good job of keeping up with a 340 1.8 valver, and will out-pace things like a BMW 320d and Skoda Fabia vRS. Standard handling is pretty good for a big FWD car (it would certainly spank a standard 940 on a handling course...and a showdown with a 300 would be very interesting), and you're not often left wanting for traction.
Specification-wise...CD trim gets you all the toys. It has leather, electric everything (including electric drivers seat), traction control, a trip computer, cruise control, dual-zone climate control (with working AC!) and probably the most kick-ass stereo you'll find in a 12 year old car...as standard (except the C70...with its damn awesome Dynaudio kit). The rear seats fold down, so it's reasonably practical, even!
It has covered 140k miles, but I had to fit a replacement engine 10k ago thanks to a failed timing belt (wrong replacement PAS pump fitted...broke the aux belt, which in turn took out the timing belt). The engine has 110k on it. Mechanically, the car is in excellent shape. I do 20k a year in it, and it gives me very little trouble. The car was dealer maintained (fully stamped) until I got it, and I've given it everything it needs since then. Aside from the engine, it's recently had a new steering rack (chasing a fault which proved to be a faulty replacement PAS pump...), AC compressor clutch re-gapping (not a nice job), erm...I think that's about it. It's not high maintenance! It had a clutch and concentric slave cylinder at 96k miles, so that should be good for years to come. The paint isn't perfect (a few scratches and a couple of barely noticable dinks from doors, etc), but it's pretty damn good for a 12 year old car which has been used regularly. It looks pretty damn smart if you wax it.
So...that's the good.
The bad? The only two things which immediately springs to mind are..
1) Right at the moment, there's a clunk from the front suspension when manouvering, which I'm pretty sure will be the anti-roll bar to subframe bushes. I'm hoping to change these as soon as I've confirmed that's what's causing it. I'd assume that will be gone come sale-time.
2) It's coming up to needing a brake overhaul...discs, pads and a fluid change...in the next 1000 miles or so. I would be happy to change these at parts cost for the buyer. You're looking at somewhere around £100 (assuming the handbrake shoes don't need attention...as far as I'm aware they're ok) for genuine Volvo parts. I'll confirm that if necessary...
In conclusion...we have a car I'm going to be very reluctant to part with. I'm still very much in two minds about whether or not to take the plunge. It's been very good to me for the last two and a half years, and I'm only thinking of getting rid of it because of the lure of an R, now the insurance is getting more reasonable. Note that the R in question is a very, very similar car...but an estate...with a turbo! It's coming up to needing the brakes looking at, but it's a good solid car which has been well looked after and has a known history. It even has the orginal dealer number plates fitted...
So, if you're looking for a swift, safe, solid and straight luxury daily driver with all the toys for cheap...come to me with £1000 and you can take it away. And offers better involve wife/girlfriend/sister rather than knocking cash off
I do have a few extras which can go with it for a suitable price...such as the Volvo-branded 17x7.5" BBS split-rims alloys (from a C70) it's sitting on at the moment (will be supplied with the rims as pictured, for the standard price).cheers
James
You can get "an S70" for less...but a well maintained, car with an attractive and unusual spec (CD, manual...and the 2.5 20v is a LOT more insurance friendly than a T5 for a younger driver) like this I think is well worth that money.
Better change that sig mate 
