USED Volvo S40 Saloon (96 - 04)

My car

Have owned the Volvo for just over two months now, and still haven't quite made my mind up. It looks great, blackberry black with black leather, walnut dash and brilliant alloys.. but the overall experience isn't that breath-taking. Very quick in a straight line, but the handling is supremely poor. Average mpg is about 27.5, although on a recent trip up to York the fuel consumption was excellent. Interior is great. Overall - not bad, although I'm thinking of a change already!

My car

Have owned this for nearly 5 yrs now, and has gone from a £9000 car to app £1200. Frightening.... First the good points, there aren't many. I have the top of the range, with cruise, which is great, aircon, so-so, not very cool and has needed recharging twice, and leather seats, great for the driver but not for passengers, especially little ones. The car returns 27mpg, which is poor, although will do 450 miles a tank on motorway runs. The engine developed an oil leak and as it has a silicon gasket, is very difficult to repair. Subsequently, BHP is now closer to 100 than the 160 it used to have. just as well as this is a car you cannot throw around, as it has the sloppiest ride ever. Im an advanced driver, and can only put my foot down when in a straight line, it takes bends like a pram. Little ones in the rear slide around on the seats because of the body roll, even at 60 on motorways. There are so many knocks and groans from the suspension at low speed, thank goodness for the excellent stereo. You feel every pothole, concrete ridge and stone on the road. Interior trim is good, but exterior trim falls off too readily. Tyre wear is high, but surprisingly brake wear isn't. Boot is a strange shape, too high a sill, too low at the top. Why didn't they do this in hatchback.... I doubt that I will ever buy a Volvo again. Dont be fooled by looks and equipment, this is a very poor ride, and will disappoint any real drivers.

My car

This is an update of my August review. I have now sold WX52YDE - a faithful servant. Whoever buys it will get a really good vehicle. Just needs a cambelt change on the next service. These cars are underestimated by the motoring press and the Trade. I found the running costs at the Volvo agent quite heavy but much more reasonable from a Volvo specialist (Elite in Bristol are excellent). I looked at the new S40 but it just didn't excite me when I drove it - so it became a choice between an Alfa (159/GT) and an Audi (A3/A4). My head won - now driving an Audi A4 2.0 TDI - if it's as reliable as the Volvo I'll be very satisfied.

My car

Had the car from new (2002) as a company car, bought it myself 2 years later as it had proved so reliable. It was only after paying for the diesel myself that i realised how economical it was as well.. average 50mpg! even on A roads. I also find it comfortable, good looking and no the lights dont need to be always on.. you can overide that.

All in all would recommend highly as reliable and cheap car to run .. now done 105000miles and still going strong makes a great 2nd hand buy ...so since i,m now selling?? but honestly only writing this after seeing so many poor reveiws of other cars and think the Volvo deserves praise..