USED Volvo S40 Saloon (04 - )

My car

I have owned French, German and Japanese but this is truly one of the best cars I have had. The ride is excellent and fuel consumption is adequate. The engine response is better than one would expect, so much that my partner who owns a BMW 1 Series 120 Sport Diesel, rates my car as a far more responsive car...fine praise indeed from a life long BMW fan and a woman who is a loveable snob!!!!! There are minor niggles that I wish the Volvo had such as electrically folding wing mirrors, wider door pockets and the aux point for the Ipod would have been better served with a charging capability as the BMW 1 Series has....A lights on buzzer would be great as I always forget to turn my lights off and of course the classic niggle is the letter box style boot... However in saying that, the depth of the boot is better than you would expect and with the IsoFix chairs going down then it becomes a very spacious car... I am returning approx 55mpg despite official figures(figure that one out) so a 1.6 Diesel would have been better as I do considerable mileage... Saying that I am now a convert to Volvo as I love the car and therefore would look at the V50 diesel estate in the future if needs be or the C30 diesel for its looks....Either way, its Volvo for me!!

My car

This is the first car that I have owned from new (purchased in June 2007) and throughout the current life of the car it has proven very reliable with NO mechanical issues to date. My fuel consumption is a surprising average of 43mpg despite my aggressive and fast driving style and the road holding gives me a lot of confidence as there is very little body roll when cornering. The ride is firm - but expected with this model - and I have found the interior very comfortable and stylish and the equipment all easily accessible - including the trip computer! I agree that the boot opening is slightly restrictive but I would have opted for a hatchback if the need for a wide load opening been one of my requirements. This has not stopped me carrying boxed 37" LCD televisions and flat pack furniture in the car though and I am sometimes surprised at what will actually fit. Finally, I have found the staff in every one of the Volvo showrooms (including the Service staff) courteous and helpful and I always come away extremely happy.

I have owned Hondas, Nissans, Fords, Toyotas and Renaults and additionally I have driven VWs, BMWs and Vauxhalls, but this is the first car that has left me so satisfied (Guess what make my next car will be).

My car

This car is excellent to drive and I am not sure as to why it is so overlooked. The 2.0D is a wonderful engine, powerful, smooth and a joy to use. The gearbox is effortless and 70mph in 6th gear sits nicely at 2,000rpm. The cabin is quiet and a very comfy place to be. The interior uses classy materials, the R-Design has sexed up what was previously a dull car, but they do miss out on the odd bit of eqpt that really should be standard, aux input instead of a USB connection, no trip computer, as examples. The only downside is the boot opening which is an inept piece of design. The boot itself is large, you just can't use it all due to the opening. Had it been a hatchback or had an opening like the A4 it would have touched on 5 stars.

My car

Had the older shape (2005) - nice style, but a bit like driving a tank. I was unfortunate enough to be involved in a head on collision with a car driving on the wrong side of the road - don't think I'd have come out so unscathed in my previous car - a Mini (which I only kept 4 months as it was too small!).

Nice family car, solid, reliable but a bit boring.