Volvo S40 - Thinking of buying one for my wife
 

Anyone have any experience with them. We're looking at an '05 or newer

No experience, but I like the car from what I've read and seen about it.

It shares a platform with Mazda 3 I believe so you can't go wrong there. I would go for a T5 AWD.

I think the styling looks good for the '05 +.

http://carsmedia.ign.com/cars/image/...2000327451.jpg

Yeah, I'm hoping to find an T5 AWD, since I do the majority of the driving, it won't be so bad going from my 8 to her car. Right now she's (I'M) driving a Grand Cherokee. So, going from my car to her's is not very enjoyable

Do they make a type R S40?

Not yet, I have heard rumors that they're coming out with an S40R, but nothing confirmed yet.

Make sure you get the premium sound package. It's well worth the $.

Just as a caveat, we've owned three Volvos over the years. They generally have been comfortable cars, with reasonable performance. But all of ours had the same level of reliability--namely, after a few years, little things broke with disconcerting regularity, and always were very expensive to repair. The cars never died, but they bled us to death in the meantime.

Perhaps that has changed. Perhaps not. They are every bit as safe in an accident as advertised, but the very high cost of maintenance, combined with the fact that I felt abused by our local dealer, put an end to us owning Volvos.

Are absolutely settled on a S40? Brand new... way overpriced. Volvo is smoking crack. Fully loaded it runs about the same as a 3 Series, IS, or G35... and all are better, faster cars. Why would I buy a Volvo?

Other cars to consider...
VW Jetta 2.0T or GLI (Mk V only of course)
Subaru Legacy GT (2007 is best with SI Drive and stereo aux-in)
Infiniti G35

If you are looking for AWD and turbo, I'd go for the Legacy GT, awesome ride, and its faster than the Volvo. Exterior styling is kinda boring, but its a great performer. Also may I suggest the Mazdaspeed 6, they might have a 2007 MSP6 too, so you could wait a bit for a new one, or even cheaper left over 06s
________
How to roll blunts

I'd definitely be interested in driving one. I've heard they're supposedly quite competetive with BMWs now. I'm not sure whether or not there's any real validity to that, but I'd like to take one for a spin to see for myself.

They've also somehow become some darn sharp looking cars.

I have an 05 legacy right now actually. Definatly a great car and I prefer it to many others that I've driven.

You need to consider a few things: Do you want leather or no leather, Do you want a sedan or wagon body (a shocking number of people are turned on by subaru wagons), Do you want 5mt or the 5eat, Will you buy new or used?

Basically the legacy has gone mostly untouched from 05-07.

06 only saw the adition of more chrome in the headlights, and the fact that in 06 you can only get the limited package (leather/sunroof)

07 adds aux input to the radio, which is a good thing considering the legacy gt has the same problem as the 8:intergrated climate control and stereo. Also adds SI-drive which I gaurentee will do nothing. If you want better throttle response just get an accessport (ask cobb tuning about that). Also I may be wrong but 07 saw the addition of split fold rear seats. 07 also has tpms, satalite radio options, VDC (stability control) if you get the auto and nav package.

08 (insider shots come from far in the future in the subaru crowd) legacys have seen a facelift. They gave the exterior the new ugly corporate face but managed to not tribecasize it. The interior looks pretty damn good as well.

Summary: If you want cloth you have to get an 05
5mt comes in all years for the sedan but if i remember correctly the later years you have to get 5eat if you get a wagon
07 has some cool features but not worth the price when you can pick up an 05 cloth or limited with low miles for well under the 25k range.

Also I'd like to add the the spec.b is pretty cool as well. Basically a limited run legacy they do every year with bilstein suspension, lighter a-arms and stuff like that. The 07 spec-b actually gets a 6MT and a torsen rear diff (the regulars have viscious).

http://legacygt.com/forums/attachmen...1&d=1148109786
http://legacygt.com/forums/attachmen...4&d=1148109806

You could always wait for the 08's... the cupholders glow red!!!!
Dont forget these things have what is essentially a detuned STi engine in them. You can have a lot of fun with em.


edit: and i just want to add that the jap spec legacy gt's get RADAR. SOJ > SOA

My friend just lemoned her S40. She didn't even have to fight, the thing was in the shop constantly. The transmission literally blew up twice, among other problems. By the end she down right hated it. It's a shame though because the S40 is a really nice car, looks sharp too. Could just be she had bad luck but i'd never touch one now after seeing what she went through.

I also agree with Japan8 that they are overpriced for what you get.

Thanks for the replys. I've been trying to get my wife to look at other cars, but she is hell bent on an S40. I don't know, maybe I can get her in to something else.

I'm surprised that your wife likes the S40. My wife disliked it's blocky interior and plain jane conrtols. The interior lacked any luxurious textures, curves, or looks. I find that women typically don't care about power as much as refinement and good looks. I have owned a Volvo S70 in the past and I have never ever felt an ounce of passion in any of it's features, looks, or ride. It's pure scandinavian utility. Hell bent on being practical? Go Volvo! Looking for something a little more sexy, passionate, and luxurious without too much car about power? I'd but something FWD (safe in winter) with lots of options in the interior (leather). I think my wife's car should impress her friends so be sure you pick a pretty color because for most women it's all that matters.

One car that comes to mind;
Acura TSX (lots of accolades in Car and Driver - but they mention it being underpowered in a sea of V6s - still has great dynamics and nice ride - good price too even with all the option boxes checked it should be the same price as a mid-equiped S40 - Better looking interior than the S40 in my wife's opinion)

For my the aux is a big deal. NO aux AND no aftermarket HU capability means no deal. It also sucks that in this day and age the Legacy GT didn't have steering wheel radio controls... only on the Spec B. and now the 2007 model. If the 2007 HU and steering wheel can be swapped into a 2005... then we are talking a whole new ballgame.

BTW... the US got the 2.5L engine instead of the 2.0 and had the 2.0 upgraded in the WRX as well due to lag. The JDM Legacy is said to have a bit of lag down low and with only 2.0L to move the car off boost... you get the picture. SOA needs to bring out a STi model Legacy GT... Imprezza STi engine with 2007 Spec B. suspension and torsen rear... add the JDM STi accents (front lip and rear spoiler)... that'd be a hot ride.

I've been driving an '05 S40 T5 AWD since February '05. I love it, I've had no problems with it.

^ how's the performance? HOw badly did you get burned at the dealer?

I was testing sport sedans recently and really liked the looks of the S40 when it has the full aero kit with the wing. The T5 version is quick and I loved the handling. I had a Ford Xplan pin # for a discount so I wasnt worried about being hammered with the sticker. The only thing that kept me out of the car was when I went to accelerate my foot hit the side of brake pedal everytime. When I looked down, there was litterally a quarter inch gap on each side of my shoe to hit the gas pedal.

P.S. The new C70 is sweet. Has a three section folding hardtop. Really slick.

a couple of my friends have them & enjoy them thoroughly. one in particular loves the stereo, which can be heard from very, very far away... he has also gotten a couple impressive speeding tickets. its certainly a fun little car. good luck, a lot of pretty neat stuff to choose from in that segment!