Sorry to hear of your loss.

Hope all is good with you and Sven.

Are you sure you can’t justify a Rangie as a classic vehicle/hobby?

For a hobby, not an FFRR, possibly a Defender, or a proper 60's classic estate like a Morris Oxford / Austin Cambridge or an old small commercial van .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

How about a Series 3, 109” van?

Actually quite tempted by something like this:


 .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Cold Turkey III

Now been 3 years without an FFRR, Volvo still going strong. Mileage right down due to lockdown/Covid flareups (some self imposed - got quite used to being a hermit - with a family). Volvo now done 14,000 miles in my ownership, that is only 3,000 in the last year.

Not had to do too much to it over the last year. Due to the MOT extension in lockdown, MOT is now in December - brrrr! MOT man failed my rear brakes and a CV boot. I intimated in Cold Turkey II that I had a sticky caliper. Nothing for it but to replace the calipers, flexis and pads both sides (discs were only a year old). This should have been easy but the connector at the flexi was seized solid to the metal pipe on both sides. Had to destroy to get the flexis off. Fortunately Volvo put a join in the rear pipes under the centre of the car, so new pipe runs were not too difficult. And the rigid CV boot - could I get it to stay in place ? Eventually bought a proper cv boot clip tool, that sorted that. A couple of dipped beam headlights needed replacing, and a sidelight - I swapped both for LEDs I had knocking about - no complaints about resistance! Not surprising the bulbs go, they are all on all the time.

Engine still purring like a kitten, oil as golden as the day it went in, no leaks from anything.

Decided to reduce my front hedge by 2 metres, to make life easier - wished I hadn't. Took four trips to the tip with the Volvo stuffed to the gills with leylandii

Just recently towed with the Volvo for the first time. I have towbar in place (Westfalia type) but had to buy a a towball. Found one for a Mercedes in good nick. Towed a boat (dinghy) around the New Forest, along with a massive and very tall fridge freezer in the back (of the car - easy to remove the rear seats to get an extra foot of loadspace). Trailer not a heavy thing but still didn't notice it was there. V70 can take 100kg on the roof, tow 1800kg (braked), 750kg (unbraked) so nothing like an FFRR but sufficient for most activities

The next year should see an oil change, and I may be tempted to do the timing belt (c/w tensioner) and aux belt. Won't be tempted to buy a Range Rover. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Pfftt, 14k and you've had to do all sorts to it. Done 15k in my latest Range Rover and all I've had to do is put new tyres and replace the 8 year old battery on it.

You know you want one  Ed

Your time will come  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

My previous one only had the alternator and EGR valves outside of what I'd consider normal wear and tear. One transfer box issue down to going a little deeper than I should have in Strata Florida. Ed

Yes, I reckon I am now clean, kicked the habit, but still attending FFRRs Anonymous!

Now reached 4th year of ownership on the good old Volvo, having only covered 19,000 miles in all that time, so @ 5000 miles in the last year.

This year has been, in comparison, a very good year. We did fail the MOT on a number plate and a blowing exhaust, but a new plate and a new middle section and back box sorted that out. And that is all I have had to do, apart from the obligatory oil service. The car has been faultless, I have not had to read or clear a single code, or change out any parts, starts first time, every time, gets me where I want to go in comfort and style (OK, not quite FFRR style, but IMHO, the next best thing).

The only bugbear is the flaming car tax, which this year was £675. I understand this is all about emissions, but if I check the emissions readout from the MOT, the car only kicks out 1/10 of the limit indicated by the DVLA! (However, MG is tax free, so I do get it back there.)

Oh, and we got a dog, who loves going out for a ride, but is lost in the boot!

Gearing myself up for the annual wash now

We even went off road the other day - well a gravel track with some big potholes  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999