any volvo drivers/owners out there ?

tweetypie/8 · 15-01-2008, 19:51

[SIZE="3"]hi i am thinking of changing my car and i have been sniffing around,i came across the volvo s40 1.8 new and to be honest i am impressed,having owned many moons ago 2 volvo 244s and i got great value out of both of them,i am curious if there are any s40 owners on the forum and what is their honest to god opinion on them[thanks.

/SIZE]

16-01-2008, 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweetypie/8

[SIZE="3"]hi i am thinking of changing my car and i have been sniffing around,i came across the volvo s40 1.8 new and to be honest i am impressed,having owned many moons ago 2 volvo 244s and i got great value out of both of them,i am curious if there are any s40 owners on the forum and what is their honest to god opinion on them[thanks.

/SIZE]

Vovo's are Volvo's mate, IMO you can't go wrong with them, they are built like a tank and built to last. Service them at regular intervals and you'll not go far worng.

Escapee · 16-01-2008, 07:06

I thought the S40/V40 series were not made in Sweden, I'm sure Volvo had some deal with Renault??? Or perhaps made in the old DAF factory?

I thought they were about as well built ie: 'Volvo' as the 340 and 440 series were.

tweetypie/8 · 16-01-2008, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nidge

Vovo's are Volvo's mate, IMO you can't go wrong with them, they are built like a tank and built to last. Service them at regular intervals and you'll not go far worng.

inclined to agree with you nidge

going by the previous 2 i had they are a solid car.

---------- Post added at 11:12 ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Escapee

I thought the S40/V40 series were not made in Sweden, I'm sure Volvo had some deal with Renault??? Or perhaps made in the old DAF factory?

I thought they were about as well built ie: 'Volvo' as the 340 and 440 series were.

the 340 i didnt like

you could be right about renault,i shall dig a bit deeper.

roadwolf · 16-01-2008, 11:17

The Volvo S40/V40 is basically a Ford, as are most of the modern Volvos.There is a large british forum devoted to all the Volvo models, with all the information on any Volvo model but I can't remember it's name, Just Google Volvo Forum.

keithwalton · 16-01-2008, 13:16

The current S40 is on the 'Ford P1' platform which is shared with the focus, mazda 3 & 5 and also the volvo c30 and c70.

The platform was designed in germany, and the volvo derivative is made in Belgium.

There used to be a deal between volvo and renault but that went up in smoke when ford purchased volvo all those years ago (1998)

It probably wont be long before ford sells them though as they are the only part of the prestige automotive group left (used to be aston martin, jaguar, land rover and volvo)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_S40

tweetypie/8 · 16-01-2008, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadwolf

The Volvo S40/V40 is basically a Ford, as are most of the modern Volvos.There is a large british forum devoted to all the Volvo models, with all the information on any Volvo model but I can't remember it's name, Just Google Volvo Forum.

thank you roadwolf and others for the info,will do with the google forum.

haydnwalker · 16-01-2008, 14:14

Having driven a new S40, the engines are strong. Have plenty of refinement and handle ok - and as people say their Volvos. And at the moment are holding their residuals OK too.

I wouldn't buy brand new though. 6 months - a year old would be best. Unless of course you want some specific options.

Personally my choice would be a 1.8D, 2.0D or D5 Model (No I'm not a particular fan of diesels). They are very torquey and quite frugal (especially the 1.8 and 2.0 Versions).

The only way to be sure is to test drive one though.

Hope my experience helps you choose or not choose as the case may be.

Regards,

Haydn

Osem · 16-01-2008, 14:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweetypie/8

[SIZE="3"]hi i am thinking of changing my car and i have been sniffing around,i came across the volvo s40 1.8 new and to be honest i am impressed,having owned many moons ago 2 volvo 244s and i got great value out of both of them,i am curious if there are any s40 owners on the forum and what is their honest to god opinion on them[thanks.

/SIZE]

Ask your question here:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/threads.htm?f=2

tweetypie/8 · 16-01-2008, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by haydnwalker

Having driven a new S40, the engines are strong. Have plenty of refinement and handle ok - and as people say their Volvos. And at the moment are holding their residuals OK too.

I wouldn't buy brand new though. 6 months - a year old would be best. Unless of course you want some specific options.

Personally my choice would be a 1.8D, 2.0D or D5 Model (No I'm not a particular fan of diesels). They are very torquey and quite frugal (especially the 1.8 and 2.0 Versions).

The only way to be sure is to test drive one though.

Hope my experience helps you choose or not choose as the case may be.

Regards,

Haydn

thanks haydn for your input

i must say i like diesels my current car is a cmax 2.0 diesel and i think i would find it hard to go back to petrol,the 1.8 is looking good at the moment and as you say a test drive will help me decide thanks again.

---------- Post added at 16:11 ---------- Previous post was at 16:10 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

Ask your question here:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/threads.htm?f=2

thanks os.

SMHarman · 16-01-2008, 16:29

ZipCar in the US have them on there fleet and one of the cars nearest to me is an S40 called Stanton (they like their alliterations). It's a nice car as it is in the US it has the autobox which is a bit slow from start but it handles well, cruises happily and carries a decent amount of luggage and can carry four adults around (though 4 6fters would be uncomfortable)
As others have said it is on the European Focus platform (the US focus looks similar but is actually a different car)
The other car in the same location is a Mazda3 (Marana) and I will take the S40 in preference and pay $2 an hour more for the rental because of that.

Help!!! · 16-01-2008, 16:30

Very good cars, My dad owns a C70 it had not been driven for maybe 6months due to a company car, he started it up cold start and ticked over first start. great cars.

tweetypie/8 · 16-01-2008, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Help!!!

Very good cars, My dad owns a C70 it had not been driven for maybe 6months due to a company car, he started it up cold start and ticked over first start. great cars.

good result nice one !!

---------- Post added at 21:52 ---------- Previous post was at 21:50 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMHarman

ZipCar in the US have them on there fleet and one of the cars nearest to me is an S40 called Stanton (they like their alliterations). It's a nice car as it is in the US it has the autobox which is a bit slow from start but it handles well, cruises happily and carries a decent amount of luggage and can carry four adults around (though 4 6fters would be uncomfortable)
As others have said it is on the European Focus platform (the US focus looks similar but is actually a different car)
The other car in the same location is a Mazda3 (Marana) and I will take the S40 in preference and pay $2 an hour more for the rental because of that.

i joined up with volvo forum today so tomorrow i will get stuck in thanks

16-01-2008, 23:03

my employers mostly have Volvo cars in the 'pool', I've done a few journeys in Volvo s40 models & have no negative comments, they are extremely competent motor cars, especially for relaxed motorway driving

tweetypie/8 · 17-01-2008, 00:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

my employers mostly have Volvo cars in the 'pool', I've done a few journeys in Volvo s40 models & have no negative comments, they are extremely competent motor cars, especially for relaxed motorway driving

suits me fine.