Layout: front engine,
front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive
Platform: Volvo P1 platform
Engine Petrol:
Global:
*1.6L I4 (100 hp)
*1.8L I4 (125 hp)
*2.0L I4 (145 hp)
*2.4 L I5 (140 hp)
Global and North America:
*2.4 L I5 (168 hp)
*2.4 L T5 turbocharged I5 (230 hp)
Diesel:
(not available in North America)
*1.6L I4 (109 hp)
*2.0L I4 (136 hp)
*2.4L D5 turbocharged I5 (180 hp)
Flexifuel:
*1.8L I4 (125 hp)
Transmission 5-speed Volvo M56 manual
:
*6-speed Volvo M66 manual
*5-speed Aisin AW55-50 automatic
*6-speed Aisin TF-80SC automatic
Assembly Belgium: Ghent (VCG)
Malaysia: Shah Alam (SMA)
South Africa: Pretoria
(Wikipedia)
"Volvo Cars introduced the Volvo V50 at the 2003 Bologna Motor Show as the station wagon version of the Volvo S40 small family car—manufacturing both models at their facility in Ghent, Belgium.
Sharing the Ford C1 platform with the European Ford Focus and the Mazda3, the V50 featured interior "theatre" lighting, a floating center stack and "Volvo Intelligent Vehicle Architecture". The V50 T5 AWD featured four-wheel drive and a straight-5 2.5-litre petrol engine with a light-pressure turbocharger, four valves per cylinder and a DOHC design with variable camshaft timing—providing 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) and 320 N•m (236 lb•ft) of torque. Diesel options were available in Europe, including a 2.4 Litre turbocharged D5 diesel engine which provided 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) and 350 N•m (258 lb•ft) of torque.
" (Wikipedia)
Volvo V50 is good family car from a good manufacturer with decades of estate making. Volvo is well reputed for its great engines and gear boxes. It’s classless and generally reliable, and boasts elegant design and strong build.
What adds to the good news is the maintenance of Volvo V50: servicing and repairs are inexpensive (if you get them from non-main dealer). Also, if you get your Volvo V50 from Japan, the condition is going to be good. Cars usually come from Japanese car auctions with service history. This is the culture in Japan, and service history allows the owner to get better price.
Thus, you are about to get a good & timely serviced family car in a good condition. Great idea!