Volvo S40

dwayneburke

Hi,

Anyone have any views on 2001 Volvo S40....thinking of getting one

Interceptor

Good reliable, solid car. Diesels popular and SE came with leather, aircon etc. Widely used as a rep-mobile so watch histories and servicing. Try to get the SE with alloys/metallic paint etc as resale will always be better. Interior plastics poor and susceptible to damage despite Tonka image, Ford have allowed the accountants take over with this model. Avoid very high mileage examples.

'ceptr

tribble

The newer (99? onwards) ones have a softer suspension (old one was a bit hard, especially in the back seats).
Feels more solid than your average car, but as solid as our old 220, which actually felt like driving a tank.
One thing that annoys me is the combination of a low floor and 'not quite so good as it should be' road visability.
Not that you'll be wanting to but the s40 crashes beautifully.

tribble

Quigs Snr

Decent car, rubbish handling, but solid.

I have a 1998 T4 (200bhp!) model, animal, but heavy on juice. Overall though as reliable as can be, never had a problem with it. Rock solid bombproof.

Ernest

I have one of these. At 1.6 litres its underpowered and also has very hard suspension - not good for Dublin's mountain track style roads. The doors feel very light, like cardboard almost and have no reassuring heavy clunk sound when shut - a small point, perhaps, but still...
Incredibly, given Volvo's posturing about safety, this car came with no passenger airbag! Salesman said at time this was because of risk to a babyseat placed backwards on front passenger seat - would you believe it!! The car feels very low down on the road too. Good points are air conditioning, comfortable upholstery and good handling - maybe the low down position is the reason. However, its got low mileage ( 35k) - anyone want to buy it?

Pataman

Just got rid of my 2000 s40. very nice car 1.8 solid handling, leather interior. As said before go for se version climate control etc. Just bought s60 automatic...happy days and no I am not an accountant!

Is1ldur

Pataman wrote:

and no I am not an accountant!

You must be middle-aged then.

unkel

Sound car. Made in Holland. The new model (Ford Focus / Mazda 3 platform) is made in Belgium

What engine are you thinking of getting?

dwayneburke

well im 27 so insurance is not as much of an issue as before when i got the astra which is a 1.4. A volvo S40 1.6 sounds a bit weak so a 1.8 would be my next option.

Pataman

Mr. Dark wrote:

You must be middle-aged then.

OUCH

glynf

Nice enough car- handling is a bit soft, solid enough but drab interior,
1.8 is thirsty(25/28 mpg urban) and far from fast off the mark.also not much leg room in the back. I'm driving an '03 1.8 loaner at the moment, bought the new model '04 2.0D SE last saturday week, and it's been in the garage since thursday-some problem with an EGR valve

ToxicPaddy

Pataman wrote:

...Just bought s60 automatic...

Hows that going to you??? I love the S60's and S80's..

Tox

Pataman

Heaven, its the essence of comfort. Have been on a few long drives since I got it and its so quiet. Never again for me that gearstick or clutch.

Interceptor

The auto is the way to go - I had an auto S80 in my last job and it was like travelling in a fast sitting room. Got to drive a manual D5 S60 and it was just tedious. Fast and economical.....but tedious. (Think it could be a movie title with Vin Diesel as an accountant?)

'ceptr

Pataman

Whats the difference between the S60 and S80? Is the 80 wider?

Interceptor

longer, wider, higher, more rear leg-room, more like a barge..... And damned if I didn;t keep getting parking dents in those high hip ridges 'cos they don't line up with the rubber door strips on other cars - watch your S60 too.

'ceptr

unkel

Pataman wrote:

Never again for me that gearstick or clutch.

interceptor wrote:

The auto is the way to go - I had an auto S80 in my last job and it was like travelling in a fast sitting room

Third that

If anyone would have told me 4 years ago I'd ever be driving an auto, I would have laughed in their face. On my second auto Beamer barge now und loving it

RicardoSmith

Some of these go for quite cheap. Worth buying a cheap high miler?

Dr. Dre

Mine's a 1.8L

Positives:
Love the look if it
great sound system

Negatives:
interior is drab
has an overly healthy appetite for arab juice
Dealer servicing is crazy, just been quoted €700-€750 for a service by three dealers in Dublin (timing belt due for change)

alias no.9

Dr. Dre wrote:

Mine's a 1.8L

Positives:
Love the look if it
great sound system

Negatives:
interior is drab
has an overly healthy appetite for arab juice
Dealer servicing is crazy, just been quoted €700-€750 for a service by three dealers in Dublin (timing belt due for change)

Have you tried a renault dealer? It's a renault engine after all. More to the point, if the timing belt is due then it's most likely out of warranty so just go to an independant.