Surprising to say about a Volvo, but it looks great. I was driving a Subaru Legacy and like Subaru but decided that there were current safety innovations that Subaru wasn't keeping up with, mainly side impact stuff. Volvo's reputation for safety was a factor. Seemed to be a pretty good value as well. Liked the idea of having something that you don't see a lot of on the road. Single CD sound system excellent.

I find that I back off the accelerator on high-speed curves, like freeway entrance/exit. Maybe that's a big difference between AWD Subaru and Front WD Volvo. Cup-holder on dash cannot be in use when changing a CD. Seems a little noisy. Wagon has lip at the back, rather than flat bed. Will make it more difficult to slide stuff in and out. Little bit stiffer ride than optimal for me.

So far, very happy with it. My complaints are minor and it has a very solid feel. Gas mileage is pretty good, it uses regular unleaded. I read that Passat needs premium. These days, especially in California, that can make a big difference. I also found the shopping experience to be very good with the dealer.

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Subaru Legacy Wagon. Looked closely at Passat Wagon. Didn't look at BMW. Best looking. Passat probably more bang for the buck.

I love the way the car drives and looks. I live in Chicago where so many people in my age and income category drive a BMW 3-series. My new S40 is wonderful. I admit, when I first got the car, I had some second thoughts that I should have gotten the 321i or perhaps an A4. But I am soooo glad that I got the S40. It drives like a dream and is very sharp looking (especially in silver).

Rear leg room.

I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone considering the BMW 3-series, Audi A4 or Mercedes C-class. Though the Volvo might not have quite the "image" as BMW or Mercedes, it is still an upscale, distinctive and certainly enjoyable vehicle to drive. It is also affordable, safe and reliable.

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Audi A4, BMW 325i. Both the A4 and 325i were fun to drive. I chose the Volvo because of price and to be a bit different.

Outstanding acceleration and handling. Very substantial interior and standard features. Volvo reputation for safety. Rear seating excellent compared to similarly sized cars. New curtain airbags. 5-speed automatic transmission shifts very smooth. More compliant ride than 2000 model. Fuel economy is super, I’ve gotten upwards of 400 highway miles on a single tank of gas. Center console storage space and radio controls in the 2001 are far more driver-friendly than the 2000 model.

Weaknesses: Leather package should include a “leather steering wheel” as well. Factory CD changer costs a minor fortune. Front foglights, trip computer and a full-size spare tire should be standard in a car like this, but I guess it isn’t an S70 for nothing. Front cupholder sturdy but you can’t eject a CD when the cupholder is “occupied.” My biggest issue with this car: factory Michelin tires squeal WAY too much when cornering.

Volvo got something right when they introduced the S40 in the U.S. last year, and “Americanized” the car in a slight redesign for 2001 without sacrificing any of its European flair. As a luxury sports sedan with an eye for economy, the S40 will carve itself a niche as more drivers see more of them on the road and know the car exists. A fully equipped Audi A4 with a 4-cylinder engine and Quattro all-wheel drive stickers for about $1500-2000 more…the difference in price basically being “the Quattro,” otherwise the cars are equipped almost identically at the same price point. Forget the Passat if you don't need the extra girth, it doesn't feel anywhere near as substantial or finished as the S40. This car screams for a standard shift, as well as all-wheel drive and a clutchless manual (technology Volvo already has in its arsenal but has not unleashed). One day...

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Test drove VW Passat, Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Acura TL...and picked the S40 over all of them.

Overall styling, engine, safty reputation, and nice badge name.

Interior detailing.

Recenlty just purchased the 01 V40. My wife and I compared for a while with the A4 and BWM 3 series wagons. We decided on the Volvo for the overall value. To us that meant; Design styling (ext/int), Drive train, Enginge performance, + warranties.

I think you get more recent styling than you do from the other two. The other two I thought were old + everyone has it, at least here in SF. Exterior details are nice (wheels, trim, rear-wing) which makes it look very hip and chic! It's sexy in silver.

Interior detailing could be a bit more, well...detailed. Sort of remindes of a Japanese car interior. The leather is real nice, however. The interior dimensions are a bit tight for 4 adults and I will probabley move up to the V70 once my two kids (pre-school & kindergarten) reach adult proportions in phyiscal size. However, I think it fits our small family nicely.

The V40's front-wheel drive seems pretty solid and no problem for hill climbing. ABS is nice and reliable. The rear of the car follows good.

The engine performance so far seem quite impressive. Surprisingly, it wasn't as gut-less at the BMW. I find the torqur is there when you need it. However, the 1.9 turbo seems to be quite thirsty for the moment.
I've been averaging ~25 mpg both "city" and "hi-way".


So, after a month and a half we're very happy with the V40. I recommend it for the small family (4 max) living in the city. I give a high value. You definitely get more bang for your buck.

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Audi A4, BMW 3-Series Wagons, and the usual Japanese Wagons (including Saturn?)

interior, acceleration and handling and appearance

excessively noisy (engine and windnoise), back seat not very roomy. Pretty chintzy tonot come with a standard single CD indash player.

I think this car is a very good value (except for the Cd player missing). I like the uncharacteristic look (for a volvo). It handles and performs well. I got it with the optional sunroof package which includes a leather, wood-trimmed interior which is attractive and comfortable. The seats are great. I have taken it on a few weekend trips to the mountains and it performed very well on uphill curving roads. My wish list would be for enhanced sound insulation, a standard CD player (i am putting in a changer)and perhaps a little more back seat leg room. It is more fun to drive and handles a LOT better than the toyota, is cheaper than the A4 and has a better warranty than the Passat (4 vs 2 years).

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Have driven turbo and V6 Passat and Audi A4's, also Volvo S70 and toyota camry v6. Used to own a BMW 318i

I test drove this car and its very like able. I used to drive a 90 740 GL and (*knock on wood*) was very satisfied (as satified as one can be driving an old volvo, but hey, im glad i didnt go with a honda).

Hoewever, i do have a problem with people who have had this car (Volvo S40)for a year or less, and are making claims concerning its reliability. A car thats less than a year old is not supposed to HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.

I am what can be called a Volvo fan (yes, these people DO exist) and was very surprised when I read some of the reviews that are posted on the 70-series page (if you like Volvos, it's DEFENITELY worth a read). I had my 740 from 1997 to just recently (late 2000), and the only complaint I have is the maintenenace and repairs, while rare, were costly when they were needed . I test drove a 2000 S40 Turbo, a what looked like fully loaded one, and dindn't feel that the over $28K sticker was worth it for a 4-cylinder model.After all, a 323 is about that much and is 6 cylinders AND A BMW.

BUT ATTENTION ALL S40 OWNERS/LEASERS (I don't think that's the right word): WHAT IS THIS CAR GOING TO PERFORM LIKE IN 2,3,4, AND SO ON YEARS? ISN'T SAYING IT'S "VERY RELIABLE" AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR OR LESS A LITTLE PREMATURE? A CAR THAT'S ONE YEAR OLD IS SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN BOUGHT BRAND NEW! Particularly after having read those
70-Series reviews (I was REALLY surprised by what some people had to say) and remembering the fact that FORD (e-mail me if you'd like to know what thats an acronym for) has bought Volvo, I, too, have begun to question Volvo's reliability.

So how about we wait a year or two and see what all you S40 Drivers have to say then?

If you have any questions/comments/concerns, please feel free to e-mail me at the e-mail address listed above.

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90 740 GL, expensive to maintain/fix, but good, reliable car
2000 WV Jetta 1.8T (nice and zippy, opt for the turbo instead of the V6 and use that extra $1000 for leather)
2000 WV Passat V6 (impressive but expensive)

Price, Safety features, Style, Great torque for kick-in/pick up (160hp/5800rpm, 170lb/1800rpm)

VERY slow rear window defroster, delicate cupholder

Value: with 5-speed auto, ABS, front side airbags, front & back side curtains, whipsplash protection seats, security alarm, heated side mirrors/front seats, headlights wipers, air, remote entry, etc as standard features packed in this price tag (CAD31000), it is REAL bargain to step into this European luxury car.

Safety: not many luxury cars at this price have side curtains yet (especially for rear passengers), not to mention whipsplash protection.

Power: the 1.9T 160hp is just adequate for this compact sedan, but the 170lb torque at 1800rpm is a real treat on highway. Of course it is
still not a 323i, ha.

Complaint: coming from Sweden, I really don't know why the rear window
defroster is so slow or not powerful enough to melt the ice. I
would say it is 2 times slower than that of my 98 Cavalier !!!
I REALLY hate this part !!! Another thing is that stupid
delicate-looking cupholder. 1st of all there is only one in the
front, when not in use it is nicely hidden under the climate
control panel. You need to push it once to get it out. You can
say the cupholder is designed by IKEA coz you can tell it must
be desgined by some mechanical designers's. But it is just too delicate to that slide your can of Coke or 600ml bottle of Coke when the green light suddenly go on. I just need a HOLE to put
down my Coke. If you take a look at the 2001 Celica cupholder
then you will know what I mean. A cupholder shoule be simple,
whereas a rear window defroster should be more efficient.

Thought my S40 is only 4 months old, but it has accumulated 13000km already . So far only one oil change at 12000km, nothing broken or funny. You will appreciate this car more when you realize those Accord or Camry can cost more with the same number of features !!

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Volvo 240, 245, 760turbo, 740

I love driving this car. the 4-speed transmission with lock-up torque converter and turbo charger are a perfect match. This car is so responsive. I always drive in sport mode and get 22/30 without and 20/28 with AC on. The styling is excellent and I have seen a lot of people stop to look at my car. I have changed standard tires with Bridgestone Potenza RE910 size 205/55 15 and the handling is unblievable!

Small for 4 adults. Wagon rear door hard to open for women and kids, a handle would be nice.

This car was a demo model with 240 miles on it and I bought it with options listed above for $24,800. I love it. I want to drive it as often as I can. If you have a small family or are someone that has things to carry, this car has nice cargo space and its lots of fun to drive.

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95 Camry Wagon, 88 & 97 Tauraus Wagons, Volvo V40 is smaller than all those, but its so much more fun to drive and the quality of material and finish is something else. I got the leather and power sunroof options. Camry's ride comfort for those who prefer comfort over performance is excellent. Camry goes over bumps and you don't feel anything!

I must simply say "I love this car". I've gone through a new car every other year for as long as I can remember, but this is the first one I might drive until the extended warranty expires. Nobody can believe I got this much car for what I paid. Six co-workers and friends are looking into getting one of their own.

Excessive body roll! I drove a 2K Passat (which has the same tires) and the Passat handled better. I think an aftermarket anti-roll bar is all it will take, and possibly a plus-one wheel and tire package next summer. I still chose the Volvo over the Passat...

I got mine a week ago- has the sunroof package w/leather, weather package, and touring package. It has everthing except the CD changer and rear spoiler (I'm ordering both soon). Sticker was 28.9K I think- I paid 26.5K and got incentive financing from Volvo- If someone told me I could get one cheaper, I wouldn't care because this car is worth more to me than I paid. The main concern is getting the handling sorted out without giving up comfort, and I'm very interested in finding out why the Euro 1.9T has 40 more HP.

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97 VW GTi, Dodge Stratus (lemon), 2000 Passat, 71 E-Type Jag ;)

nice ride, ok handling, volvo safety but a little to small to be considered safe

small interior, slowwwwww, noisey engine, not very reliable for a volvo, not as good of quality you would expect from a volvo

i would not recomend it

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A4, BMW 323, are much beter and funner to drive