evan

and its a very decent little car. Solid, very quiet, plenty of pep for old Mom, handles ok, and has decent brakes. Seems like you get a good family-type car for the money. Anyone here that has one?

Found the engine configuration interesting... its a 1.9l turbo, but a low-pressure turbo, which is supposed to mean zero lag. At anything other then idle, the power was available right away... flooring it from a dead stop, the power came on almost immediately. Of course, it is very mildly boosted, so nothing like we're used to in the Audi, but enough juice to get out of its own way at least.

Lone Starr (Ivan)

I believe, not that it matters, that it is made for Volvo by Mitsubishi.

GuilTTy

The engine or the whole thing?

Lone Starr (Ivan)

I think it looks like a tin can next to the S60 and S80. And interior materials were Japanese, not European in the two I looked at and sat in.

I didn't get a chance to drive one, tho.

GuilTTy

I've never really noticed one - not carefully. Did Mitsu make the Sterlings too?

Lone Starr (Ivan)

proving once again that British manufacturing can take a perfectly good product and ruin it. One of the lowest quality autos ever. See any on the road anymore? I sure don't. What made you think of Sterling, counselor?

GuilTTy

And what about those Mercury Mercurs? They were a co-branded German design, weren't they?

Lone Starr (Ivan)

I don't know. I do know they were good cars with a pretty strong fan following.

evan

Unfortunately Mom's budget allows for the more affordable car. Higher end Volvos look nice, though.

Lone Starr (Ivan)

Trust me I understand all about budgets. Next car will be no more than $25K.