Since the Caprice is gone for good and I've managed to knock some sense in my head; behold my new economical daily driver:
A 2005 Volvo V70 Bi-Fuel (gasoline/CNG). 2.4 liters of naturally aspirated 5-pot glory. 140 horses, fuck all for torque and slow as balls.
Practical ✔ (can't get much better than a big wagon)
Comfortable ✔ (could be quieter, but it's spacious and beats every econobox)
Economical ✔ (driving on CNG is very efficient, should be able to get 40-45 mpg usually. Best I've got so far is nearly 55 mpg. CNG is also a bit cheaper than gasoline.)
Unlike the Caprice and my MGM, I can go to a parts store and get shit over the counter again! And because it's a fooken V70, every little thing is available easily, like a gas door hinge spring! Yes it's kinda boring to drive, but the excellent fuel mileage for such a big car makes it feel less like a compromise. No, it's not fun, but it's not miserable, like a VW Polo or other economical nugget would've been. But for fuck's sake the turning circle is worse than the Caprice wagon even though the Volvo is almost a meter shorter.
Another nice thing about the car is the colour, Barents Blue Metallic. On a cloudy autumn day like this, it's a dark dirty blue with a bit of purple, depending on the angle. But when the sun shines, the absolute shitton of metallic flake in the paint comes out, the blue is much more vibrant and the purple and turquoise metal flake really show up where the sun reflects from.
Interior is old man beige with the "half leather" pack. I didn't want leather, but full cloth seats are super rare on these mk2 facelift V70s, half is still better than full leather. Beige is good, more airy feel and not as boring as the average grey/black interior, also won't get as hot. Kinda want to swap out the interior trim for the fake wood trim for extra old man points.
What's done and what's to do:
I've got to get the headlights sanded and polished, old clear coat is peeling and I want to see better. I'll probably buy OEM mudflaps and that'll be the outside of the car done.
Initially I spent two weeks cleaning every single bit of the interior from carpet to headliner, as previous owner had 3 kids, 2 dogs and zero fucks. Then got it ozone treated and now it's pretty livable inside. Outside got very thoroughly washed and clayed, then a very quick buff to get rid of haziness and sealed up with Fusso Coat. Paint would really pop with a proper machine polish, but I don't have the equipment, energy or money for that. Also I won't have to stress about keeping it mint if it aint that.
I've done filters, engine torque mounts, vacuum hoses and a dozen other little knickknacks like a gas door hinge, bulbs, cleaned the throttle body and so on. Bought a set of almost new Hakka R5 winter tires, came wrapped around 15" Volvo alloy wheels. Got a shop visit scheduled in a couple weeks. Got some things left to do myself too, I've ordered a new PS pump (leaks) and a voltage regulator (CAN error) and small stuff like a missing trailer plug and some interior creaks.
Shop should be taking care of a basic service aswell as a few other things I cannot be arsed to do myself. Main reason for the visit is the AC that gets tired and an annoying jerk that happens when I lift off the throttle to coast and when getting on the throttle from coasting. If I do it very gingerly, it won't jerk. Might be something sloppy in the drivetrain or a shitty throttle body, I dunno.
Winter is coming around soon, I've got tall & narrow winter tires, small tires, quite a raked stance on the car, a rear spoiler, I want mudflaps and a friend wants to get rid of a few 9" round pod high beams. I may have some sort of a look in mind.
A 2005 Volvo V70 Bi-Fuel (gasoline/CNG). 2.4 liters of naturally aspirated 5-pot glory. 140 horses, fuck all for torque and slow as balls.
Practical ✔ (can't get much better than a big wagon)
Comfortable ✔ (could be quieter, but it's spacious and beats every econobox)
Economical ✔ (driving on CNG is very efficient, should be able to get 40-45 mpg usually. Best I've got so far is nearly 55 mpg. CNG is also a bit cheaper than gasoline.)
Unlike the Caprice and my MGM, I can go to a parts store and get shit over the counter again! And because it's a fooken V70, every little thing is available easily, like a gas door hinge spring! Yes it's kinda boring to drive, but the excellent fuel mileage for such a big car makes it feel less like a compromise. No, it's not fun, but it's not miserable, like a VW Polo or other economical nugget would've been. But for fuck's sake the turning circle is worse than the Caprice wagon even though the Volvo is almost a meter shorter.
Another nice thing about the car is the colour, Barents Blue Metallic. On a cloudy autumn day like this, it's a dark dirty blue with a bit of purple, depending on the angle. But when the sun shines, the absolute shitton of metallic flake in the paint comes out, the blue is much more vibrant and the purple and turquoise metal flake really show up where the sun reflects from.
Interior is old man beige with the "half leather" pack. I didn't want leather, but full cloth seats are super rare on these mk2 facelift V70s, half is still better than full leather. Beige is good, more airy feel and not as boring as the average grey/black interior, also won't get as hot. Kinda want to swap out the interior trim for the fake wood trim for extra old man points.
What's done and what's to do:
I've got to get the headlights sanded and polished, old clear coat is peeling and I want to see better. I'll probably buy OEM mudflaps and that'll be the outside of the car done.
Initially I spent two weeks cleaning every single bit of the interior from carpet to headliner, as previous owner had 3 kids, 2 dogs and zero fucks. Then got it ozone treated and now it's pretty livable inside. Outside got very thoroughly washed and clayed, then a very quick buff to get rid of haziness and sealed up with Fusso Coat. Paint would really pop with a proper machine polish, but I don't have the equipment, energy or money for that. Also I won't have to stress about keeping it mint if it aint that.
I've done filters, engine torque mounts, vacuum hoses and a dozen other little knickknacks like a gas door hinge, bulbs, cleaned the throttle body and so on. Bought a set of almost new Hakka R5 winter tires, came wrapped around 15" Volvo alloy wheels. Got a shop visit scheduled in a couple weeks. Got some things left to do myself too, I've ordered a new PS pump (leaks) and a voltage regulator (CAN error) and small stuff like a missing trailer plug and some interior creaks.
Shop should be taking care of a basic service aswell as a few other things I cannot be arsed to do myself. Main reason for the visit is the AC that gets tired and an annoying jerk that happens when I lift off the throttle to coast and when getting on the throttle from coasting. If I do it very gingerly, it won't jerk. Might be something sloppy in the drivetrain or a shitty throttle body, I dunno.
Winter is coming around soon, I've got tall & narrow winter tires, small tires, quite a raked stance on the car, a rear spoiler, I want mudflaps and a friend wants to get rid of a few 9" round pod high beams. I may have some sort of a look in mind.
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