The classic/fave car thread

[Baggers]

I don't own one, but I have quite a few mates who do, and let's just say BMW should be good at it, because they get lots of opportunities to demonstrate their service and support skills!

That's also what I hear.

I get most of my car buying advice from my brother, who also served in the RAN but trained in engineering then completed his 'Greenies' training (electrician). Today, in 'civvy street' he's an industrial electrician and his hobby is building huge generators and motor bikes from the ground up! One weird dude - family trait!

He knows I'm a bit like Jeremy Clarkson... 'speed and power.'After doing speedway and rally-cross in the mid 80s my relationship with cars changed, a lot.  But I like a safe but sporty car for Mrs Baggers. So we got her a Volvo V40 and she loves it (0-100 in about 6 seconds, which I love ). We've had it for just over 60,000 kms now and haven't had to put a spanner to it... except for the mag wheel that was oystered after she ran over a brick on the Mulgrave Freeway sitting on just over 100kms. Despite the flat tyre car behaved perfectly so she could slow and pull-over, then call the RACV - who were brilliant.

From my brother's advice, we are sticklers for scheduled services and the best quality service... but not through the dealer. Servicing of the Volvo is about 20% more than the piece of cr@p Mazda CX-3 we traded for it. So, despite the rumours, Volvo's are not exorbitant to service. The one thing the bro insisted on when getting a service... always get the very best quality oil, especially important for the turbo as well.

So now I'm thinking of getting a car for moi. Got an old Volvo S60 3litre turbo in the interim (had 100,000 kms on the clock when I got it, pretty cheap at $14,000 2 years ago) to runaround in. But have to part with it now... just too thirsty, but have fallen in love with AWD. Sticks like shyte to a blanket in all conditions.

Advice? 2nd hand cars are expensive at the moment. I know what my bro reckons but would enjoy and value any opinions from you cats. Budget is around $35,000, smaller than the S60 and must be quick and great on interstate drives. Love driving... and the most comfortable long trip cars I've driven have been Volvos and Saabs... must be the Scandinavian blood.