I'm ordering the XC60 today, went to look yesterday and aside from the 17" wheels looking swamped (I might have to do something about that), it's too good to miss.

T5 Geartronic SE NAV (leather).

6+23 (6k miles)
£199 (£1195 deposit)

I will probably revert that to a 3+23 so less to put down initially, assuming it comes out at the some total.

Under 6k for 2 years.

The new model comes out later this year or early 18, so assume they are filling build slots to clear parts? The D4's are seen as the ones to get as they are very frugal, however I've never liked diesel, only had one and hated it, so to get the deal on the T5 (245bhp) was a result.

This is from main dealer and is supported by Volvo UK, so should be available to everyone. Just don't pinch my slot as I don't know how many are available

 

Went to look at the Superb, it looks nice in Sportline, but the offers are on SE tech and again, the 17" wheels just look silly in arches designed to take 20", it really does spoil the lines / look of the car.

Being an SUV, it's more acceptable on the XC60, albeit only just and I'd rather have the XC over the Skoda...

 

So, what ultimately made you choose a premium brand over a value brand?

 

Vanity I guess...

Good marketing, perception that a Volvo is *better* than a honda?

I don't think I would pay a lot more for it, but when the prices are very similar, give or take a few hundred quid, I would take what I consider to be the better car. We had the CR-V and I wasn't a fan at all, felt very cheap, same as the Civic we had, of all the Honda's I've owned, the S2K was the only one that felt it could pass itse'f as a premium car, I assume due to the target audience it was trying to attract, those that would otherwise buy a Z3 or Boxster.

I'd argue that I've got into a premium car at value brand prices... win win

 

Thanks, Phil.

I did wonder if the 'brand snobbery' thing in Europe is more the perception of the Automotive industry and if people just see them as competing brands these days. The overriding factor being, if you can rent a premium-feel car for the price of a cheapo one, why would you do otherwise?

In the US, I believe people are more luxury-brand obsessed, but then their mainstream brands (such as Honda) are much more Skoda-like value-led ones. Hence the supposed reason for the existence of Acura over there.

The new CR-V is supposedly a lot less Skoda-like then the current model, which was the result of Ito's cost-cutting strategy post-meltdown and really is barely to world-class standards. But it's probably too late to recover Honda in Europe to its once semi-premium position.

 

I agree, I think the germans have manufactured the perception that they are the premium brands and everyone else is fighting for scraps. They have done this remarkebly well when you think about it, a few 'nicer' plastics inside and big wheels as standard, plus some (to my eye at least) modest / non descript design that won't offend anyone has the customers aspiring to own then...

chuck in a few attractive finance deals and you too can have a premium car for the price of a 'regular'.... what will the neighbours think.

Where Volvo fit in here, I am not sure. somewhere in the middle I guess.

I like the German products and would be happy to pay for them... are they better? that's subjective and each to their own.

 

There was an interesting article in ANE a few months back, regarding the designing of the SPA-architecture Volvos; they kept thinking of themselves as in the obsolete 'near-premium' tier 3 category and had to remind themselves to do the x90 cars as fully-premium, to compete directly with ze Chermans in tier 2. It's clearly working, as sales are improving everywhere, even in the US where the Ford-era had seriously tarnished their reputation.

Of the big growers in EUDM, the leaders include Audi and Skoda. Same car, different plastics. Work that one out...

 

I'll probably buy the new CR-V as i don't give d*mn about snobbery and i like cars to be reliable.

 

Sounds like you were unlucky JML, it's not an ownership proposition for me, so I'm really not bothered. They are very similar cars, however the volvo is better spec...

and I am a bit of a badge snob.. I won't lie.

 

The hassle when something goes wrong is just the same...