Faults:

Cruise control didn't work when I bought the car, was fixed for £100.

Couple of gaskets needed replacing (£20 + Couple of hours work)

Tailpipe cover rusted away.

General Comments:

I have owned and been interested in Volvo's since I started driving a couple of years ago. I first started when I was 17 with a Volvo 440 Turbo (1.7). I'm now 19 and can afford the insurance on the T5 so I thought I gotta have one! (My parents have a 850R, and I have always admired it).

Most guys my age are into Fiesta XR's and Nova GTE's, and it's refreshing to be different! I don't drive like a maniac, and treat the car with the respect that it deserves.

The car is very quick both at lower revs (pulling away), but it's in its element around 4,500rpm with the Turbo spinning away.. whoooooooooooooosh.

Very comfortable, I have leather seats in mine which aren't as sporty as the half-leather jobbies in my parent's R, although they add a touch of class. Climate control keeps things in check on warm (or cold!) days, and makes the car very drivable in all conditions.

I have great fun at the traffic lights, especially when a BMW 325 (or similar) decides to try it on. Top speed is a shade under 150mph, but I have never taken it anywhere near it's limits (125mph in France is my current max), the steering gets a bit skippy at this sort of speed, but most cars do...

The 2.3i 20v DOHC engine sounds more like an Alfa Romeo V6 rather than a 'humble' 5cyl, which is great (Don't get me wrong, driven subtlety you wouldn't hear the engine at all).

It's very practical also, (I have the Estate version).

It's not a cheap car to run, I get an average of 25mpg, according to the on board computer, parts aren't cheap (especially for a 19 year old!) although you have to pay the price if you want performance!

I have fitted Michelin Pilot (205/45/16) on the car, better grip than the P6000's that were on there when I bought it.

An unusual car for a student (especially in the UK) although I do know a couple of other T5 owners under 20. Gets some laughs in the Uni car park, although I have the last laugh when I leave them for dead on the road ;)

Faults:

1. Cylinder head damaged during manufacture due to improper spark plug insertion;

2. Near-side drive shaft (at 5.5 years old);

3. Auto gearbox (reverse gear) (at 4.5 years old);

4. Air conditioning (climate control sensors) (at 5.5 years old);

5. Petrol filler cap motor (at 5.5 years old).

General Comments:

1. Volvo build quality and reliability is not what it used to be.

2. Brakes are useless for such a fast, heavy car. I've upgraded my front brakes to AP Racing disks, pots, and pads.

3. Also had suspension and steering geometry improved.

4. Mild turbo upgrade to between 285 to 300 bhp. 0-60 now well under 6 seconds.

5. Car suffers badly from torque steer and tram lining.

6. Body not as stiff as it should be.

7. Very pronounced lift-off oversteer: great if you can handle it, dangerous if you're not expecting it.

8. Standard Volvo traction control only works to 25 mph / 40 kph: useless. Try fitting RaceLogic's Clubman's Professional traction control.